The registration deadline for Yuva Sangam Phase VII has been extended to August 31, 2026, giving young Indians additional time to apply for the nationwide youth exchange programme.
The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education announced the extension, which provides another opportunity for eligible youth to participate in the flagship exchange initiative under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB).
Earlier, the last date for online registration was August 18, 2026.
Who can register?
Young people between 18 and 30 years of age are eligible to apply for Yuva Sangam Phase VII. The programme is open to students of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), NSS and NYKS volunteers, as well as young professionals. Interested candidates can register through the official Yuva Sangam portal at https://ebsb.aicte-india.org.
20 institutions selected as nodal centres
For Phase VII, 20 Higher Education Institutions, including IITs, IIMs, Central Universities and NITs, have been identified as nodal institutions to host and facilitate the exchange programme.
Selected participants will undertake five- to seven-day educational and cultural tours, excluding travel days, to their paired States or Union Territories.
The visits are designed to provide participants with first-hand exposure to India’s diverse traditions, educational institutions, governance initiatives, innovation ecosystems, industries, heritage sites and community life.
Promoting India’s ‘Unity in Diversity’
Yuva Sangam is a flagship youth exchange initiative under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme. It seeks to strengthen emotional bonds among young Indians and promote mutual understanding across States and Union Territories.
Through structured exposure visits, participants experience different aspects of India’s cultural, linguistic, educational and developmental diversity while interacting with communities and fellow young people from other parts of the country.
The programme is built around five thematic pillars, known as the 5 Ps:
The programme aims to help participants develop a deeper appreciation of India’s diversity while encouraging interaction and national unity.
Yuva Sangam is also aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, particularly its emphasis on experiential learning, cultural understanding and developing a strong sense of national identity.
With the registration window now open until August 31, eligible youth who missed the earlier deadline can use the extended opportunity to apply and become part of the seventh phase of the nationwide exchange programme.
