Date: 2026-03-28Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Modi Government enabled mainstreaming of Jammu & Kashmir youth, which has in turn raised their level of self-confidence and aspiration: Dr Jitendra Singh
**Executive Summary**
The 6th Kashmir Youth Exchange Programme, "Watan Ko Jaano," concluded on March 28, 2026, featuring an interactive session with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. The program aimed to mainstream youth from Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) into India’s national development journey, "Viksit Bharat," by fostering self-confidence and national integration. Key outcomes included a commitment to enhance regional sports infrastructure and refine future exchange initiatives based on participant feedback.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Mainstreaming and National Contribution**
* Over the last 11 years, government policies have focused on integrating J&K youth into the national mainstream, increasing their confidence and aspirations.
* Youth from the region are increasingly emerging as toppers in civil services and competitive exams.
* There is significant growth in J&K youth participation in national sectors, including tourism, hospitality, aviation, and sports.
**Institutional Exposure and Integration**
* Participants from districts such as Pulwama, Bandipora, Anantnag, and Kupwara visited national institutions, including Parliament, the Legislative Assembly, and Rashtrapati Bhavan.
* Exposure to these institutions has strengthened the sense of belonging and participation in India’s democratic framework among the youth.
* Exchange programs are helping students move beyond regional limitations to engage with diverse cultures and communities across the country.
**Development and Infrastructure Needs**
* Participants identified a need for strengthened sports infrastructure, better access to coaching, and improved facilities within J&K.
* The Minister noted that the sports ecosystem is improving through increased investment and greater transparency in selection processes.
* Future programs will look to incorporate suggestions regarding improved logistical arrangements and enhanced peer-to-peer engagement with students from other parts of India.
**Impact Analysis**
**Youth of Jammu & Kashmir**
**Impact**
Participants experience a shift from regional hesitation to confident national engagement, gaining a stronger sense of trust and identity within the democratic framework.
**Action Required**
Youth are encouraged to continue exploring opportunities outside their immediate surroundings and contribute to national development through diverse professional sectors.
**Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports / Ministry of Home Affairs**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for the execution and expansion of "My Bharat" and structured exchange programs like "Watan Ko Jaano."
**Action Required**
Incorporate participant feedback to improve logistical arrangements and design more structured interactions with institutional visits and peer engagement for future cohorts.
**National Professional Sectors (Aviation, Tourism, Civil Services)**
**Impact**
These sectors benefit from an influx of talent and "young achievers" from J&K who are now actively pursuing careers at the national level.
**Action Required**
Maintain inclusive environments to absorb the increasing number of contributors from previously marginalized regions.
Key Entities Referenced
6th Kashmir Youth Exchange Programme (“Watan Ko Jaano”): A structured government initiative aimed at mainstreaming youth from Jammu & Kashmir through national institutional exposure and cultural exchange.
Dr. Jitendra Singh: Union Minister of State who led the interactive session and articulated the policy shift toward youth integration and inclusive development in J&K.
Jammu & Kashmir: The central region and target demographic for the exchange program’s efforts to foster national integration and self-confidence among youth.
My Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat): The primary government platform and initiative under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports that organized the exchange program.
Viksit Bharat: The overarching national policy vision for inclusive development that frames the youth’s role in nation-building.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Modi Government enabled mainstreaming of
Jammu & Kashmir youth, which has in turn
raised their level of self-confidence and
aspiration: Dr Jitendra Singh
J&K Youth Emerging as National Contributors in Viksit
Bharat’s Inclusive Development journey, says Dr. Jitendra
Singh
6th Kashmir Youth Exchange Programme Concludes with
Interactive Session Led by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
Government Expanding Youth Participation in Nation-
Building through Structured Exchange Programmes: Dr.
Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 28 MAR 2026 5:03PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO,
Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today said that over
the last 11 years, the Modi Government has enabled the mainstreaming of youth from Jammu & Kashmir,
which has in turn raised their level of self-confidence and aspiration.
Interacting with participants of the 6th Kashmir Youth Exchange Programme, “Watan Ko Jaano”,
organised by My Bharat under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in collaboration with
the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Minister said that youth from Jammu & Kashmir are now emerging as
toppers in civil services and other competitive examinations. He said that earlier, many young people from
the region were hesitant to step beyond their immediate surroundings, but today they are confidently
engaging with opportunities across the country and contributing to national sectors such as tourism,
hospitality, and aviation.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision articulated in 2014, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that focused
attention was given to regions like Jammu & Kashmir and the North East which had remained on the
margins of development for long. He said that sustained policy support and targeted interventions have
helped bridge this gap, and the visible change in the confidence, mobility, and aspirations of youth from
Jammu & Kashmir reflects this transformation.
The interaction provided a platform for young participants from districts such as Pulwama, Bandipora,
Anantnag and Kupwara to share their experiences of connecting with the rest of the country. Many
participants spoke about their visits to national institutions including Parliament, Legislative Assemblyand Rashtrapati Bhavan, describing how such exposure has strengthened their sense of belonging and
participation in India’s democratic framework.
Participants shared that programmes like this are helping youth from Jammu & Kashmir move beyond
earlier limitations and actively engage with diverse cultures and communities across the country. Several
students noted that there is a growing sense of trust and openness, and that more young people are now
willing to explore opportunities outside the region and build meaningful connections.
Young achievers from the region, including those pursuing careers in sports and competitive examinations,
also highlighted both their progress and their aspirations. Some participants pointed to the need for further
strengthening of sports infrastructure, access to coaching and availability of facilities in Jammu &
Kashmir to fully realise the potential of local talent. Responding to these inputs, the Minister said that the
ecosystem for sports and youth development in Jammu & Kashmir is steadily improving, with greater
transparency in selection processes and increased investment in infrastructure. He cited the recent Ranji
trophy victory by J&K Cricket team.
Suggestions were also received regarding improving logistical arrangements and enhancing structured
interaction with students from other parts of the country through institutional visits and peer engagement.
The Minister acknowledged these suggestions and indicated that such inputs would help further strengthen
the design of future programmes.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that the transformation underway in Jammu & Kashmir is part of a larger effort to
ensure that no region or section of society remains left behind in the country’s development journey. He
said that the increasing participation of youth from Jammu & Kashmir in national life is a clear indication
of this shift, and that their growing confidence and aspirations will play an important role in shaping
India’s future.
The programme concluded with cultural presentations by the participants, showcasing the rich heritage of
Jammu & Kashmir and reinforcing the spirit of integration and shared identity.*****
NKR/AK
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