Online registration is now open for "Yuva Sangam – Phase VI," a government-backed youth exchange program operating under the 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' (EBSB) initiative. This program aims to facilitate educational and cultural tours for young individuals aged 18 to 30 across different states and union territories. The initiative, driven by a "Whole of Government" approach, seeks to foster people-to-people connections and national integration by exposing participants to diverse regional traditions, development projects, and educational institutions. This latest phase involves 22 selected institutions serving as nodal centers.

Program Structure and Objectives
Yuva Sangam Phase VI is structured around five thematic pillars, collectively termed the '5 Ps': Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions and Culture), Pragati (Development and Governance), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology and Innovation). Participants are slated to undertake tours lasting five to seven days, excluding travel time, to their paired state or union territory. The stated objective is to provide firsthand exposure to the cultural heritage, governance models, technological advancements, and community life of the regions visited. This aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Who Can Participate and How
Eligibility extends to a broad spectrum of young individuals between 18 and 30 years of age. This includes:

Students from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Volunteers from the National Service Scheme (NSS)
Members of the Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
Young professionals from various fields.
Registration is being handled through official online portals, namely https://ebsb.aicte-india.org and https://ekbharat.gov.in. Applicants are required to register using their APAAR ID.
Previous Phases and Reach
The program has seen previous iterations, with Phase V reportedly receiving over 46,000 registrations nationwide. Since its inception in 2022, more than 6,000 participants have reportedly joined the initiative. This indicates a sustained, if not growing, engagement with the program's offerings.
Program Implementation and Partnerships
The Ministry of Education spearheads Yuva Sangam, with implementation involving a collaborative effort across various ministries, departments, agencies, state governments, and the nodal Higher Education Institutions. For Phase VI, specific pairings have been established, such as the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) partnering with the Indian Institute of Management Jammu to host delegations. Other noted pairings include Himachal Pradesh with Arunachal Pradesh, and Gujarat with the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
The program's scope also appears to extend to artisans, professionals, and individuals involved in religious institutions and rural sectors, suggesting an attempt to capture a wide array of societal roles. The program aims to bridge geographical and cultural divides, fostering a sense of unity and shared understanding among India's youth.