UGC invites HEIs for Phase 6 of Yuva Sangam cultural exchange programme; registrations till March 18

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked universities and colleges across the country to participate in the upcoming Phase 6 of the ‘Yuva Sangam’ programme, an initiative under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat campaign aimed at promoting cultural exchange and national integration among youth.

The last date of registrations for the Phase 6 of Yuva Sangam is March 18 and registrations can be made through Yuva portal ebsb.aicte-india.org, with exposure tours expected to take place between April and June 2026.

As per the UGC communication, more than 6,000 students and coordinators have already participated in over 130 exposure tours, including the pilot phase of the programme. The initiative encourages youth from different regions to interact and build empathy through cultural and educational exchanges.

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UGC sets guidelines for Yuva Sangam Phase 6

The UGC release said that for the upcoming phase, 22 higher education institutions (HEIs) from across India have been paired to organise the exchange tours. The institutes include Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, IIT Ropar, IIT Indore, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu and various other IITs, IIMs and National Institute of Technology (NITs). The activities will revolve around the following five thematic pillars known as the ‘5 Ps’;

• Paryatan (tourism)

• Parampara (traditions)

• Pragati (development)

• Prodyogiki (technology)

• Paraspar Sampark (people-to-people connect)

These themes are intended to help participants explore the host state’s culture, innovation ecosystem, and developmental achievements.

UGC has also asked participating institutions to prepare detailed itineraries for the tours in coordination with various stakeholders. The programme may include interactions with industry bodies, local entrepreneurs, artists, sportspersons, NGOs, self-help groups, and other community leaders, allowing students to gain practical exposure beyond the classroom.

The commission noted that the programme aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises experiential learning and greater exposure to India’s cultural and social diversity.

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To facilitate the smooth implementation of Phase VI, UGC has requested universities and colleges to appoint a nodal officer responsible for coordinating the programme at the institutional level. The Higher Education Department has also prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP), checklist, and best practices document to guide institutions in organising the exchange tours.

UGC noted that active participation from higher education institutions will be crucial in making the upcoming phase of Yuva Sangam successful and strengthening the broader vision of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”