PM Modi Calls on Youth to Lead India’s “Reform Express” at Viksit Bharat Dialogue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that India’s youth are at the core of the country’s rapid transformation, describing the reform initiatives of the past decade as a “reform express” powered by Yuva Shakti.

Addressing the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, he called upon young Indians to take a resolve to free the nation from the “mindset of slavery” and lead the march towards a developed India.

Participating in the programme on the occasion of National Youth Day, which marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the Prime Minister said the ideas, energy and sense of purpose of the youth were placing them at the forefront of nation-building.

“Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts continue to inspire our youth even today. With innovation, confidence and clarity of purpose, Yuva Shakti is shaping India’s future,” he said.

Highlighting the government’s sustained focus on young Indians, PM Modi said a series of youth-centric schemes over the years had created an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.

“It was from here that the startup revolution truly gathered momentum in India,” he noted, adding that the country was also witnessing remarkable growth in the Orange Economy, rooted in culture, content and creativity.

Referring to reforms undertaken since 2014, the Prime Minister said, “Over the past decade, the series of reforms we began has now turned into a Reform Express. At the heart of these reforms is our Yuva Shakti.” He urged the youth to actively contribute ideas and solutions that would help realise the vision of Viksit Bharat.

During the event, PM Modi interacted with around 3,000 youth from across the country, along with young delegates from the international diaspora. Selected participants made final presentations before the Prime Minister across ten thematic tracks, sharing youth-led perspectives and actionable ideas on key areas of national importance.

The Prime Minister also released the essay compilation for Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, featuring selected essays authored by young participants on India’s developmental priorities and long-term nation-building goals.

Now in its second edition, the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is a national platform aimed at facilitating structured engagement between India’s youth and the country’s leadership. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s Independence Day call to engage one lakh youth in politics without political affiliations and provide them a national stage to turn their ideas for a developed India into reality.

The 2026 edition of the Dialogue, held from January 9 to 12, has seen participation from over 50 lakh youth nationwide at various stages. Participants at the national-level championship were selected through a rigorous three-stage, merit-based process, including a nationwide digital quiz, an essay challenge and state-level vision presentations.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the second edition introduced several new elements such as Design for Bharat, Tech for Viksit Bharat – Hack for a Social Cause, expanded thematic engagements and international participation for the first time, significantly widening the scope and impact of the Dialogue.