Why Does India Celebrate National Youth Day on January 12 Every Year?

New Delhi, January 11: India will celebrate the National Youth Day (Rashtriya Yuva Diwas) on Monday, January 12, marking the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. This year’s celebrations centre on the theme "Ignite the Self, Impact the World," a call to action for the country's 400 million young people to harness their inner potential for collective national progress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the valedictory session of the "Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue" later in the day on Monday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, concluding a four-day national festival dedicated to youth-led innovation.

The 2026 Theme of National Youth Day: Ignite the Self, Impact the World

The 2026 theme emphasises the dual responsibility of personal growth and social contribution. According to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, "Ignite the Self" refers to the cultivation of discipline, mental resilience, and value-based living, while "Impact the World" encourages translating that personal strength into community service and nation-building.

The theme aligns with the government's broader Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, which aims to transform India into a developed nation by the centenary of its independence. Officials state that the current focus is on moving beyond academic excellence to fostering "character-led leadership" among Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue

A major highlight of this year’s National Youth Day is the second edition of the reimagined National Youth Festival, titled the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. Held in New Delhi from January 9 to 12, the event saw participation from over 50 lakh youth through a multi-stage selection process.

Participation: Selected from a nationwide digital quiz, essay challenges, and state-level vision presentations.

Engagement: Around 3,000 young leaders, including representatives from the international Indian diaspora, are interacting directly with national leadership.

Thematic Tracks: Presentations cover ten core areas, including digital innovation, sustainable development, and "Tech for Social Cause."

Why India Celebrates National Youth Day on January 12?

National Youth Day was first declared by the Government of India in 1984, with the first celebration taking place in 1985. The date was chosen to honour Swami Vivekananda, whose teachings emphasised that the future of any nation depends on the physical, mental, and spiritual strength of its youth.

Vivekananda’s famous exhortation, "Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached," remains the cornerstone of the day’s observances. Across the country, schools and colleges are hosting "Surya Namaskar" sessions, blood donation camps, and seminars on the relevance of Vivekananda’s philosophy in the age of Artificial Intelligence and digital saturation. NSA Ajit Doval Reveals Why He Doesn't Use a Phone, Video Goes Viral.

Digital Integration through MY Bharat

This year, the celebrations have seen record engagement through the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) portal. The autonomous body acts as a "one-stop shop" for young people to access volunteering opportunities, internships, and experiential learning.

By the end of the day on January 12, the Prime Minister is expected to release an essay compilation titled Viksit Bharat Young Leaders, featuring actionable ideas from participants on how India can lead in the global green energy transition and digital economy.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 11, 2026 08:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).