Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized a Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi from July 18-20, 2025, under the theme "Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat" to address substance abuse among youth. Approximately 600 youth delegates from various spiritual organizations participated, leading to the release of the Kashi Sankalp, an action agenda for a drug-free India. The summit included thematic sessions, activities, and a public program to raise awareness and discuss strategies.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Summit Overview:**
* A three-day 'Youth Spiritual Summit' was held in Varanasi from July 18-20, 2025.
* The Summit's theme was "Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat" (Drug-Free Youth for Developed India).
* The summit aimed to develop a youth-led national strategy for a drug-free India.
* The Kashi Sankalp, a consensus-based action agenda towards Nasha Mukt Bharat, was released.
* **Participant Details:**
* Approximately 600 youth delegates participated.
* Delegates represented youth wings of spiritual organizations across the country.
* Delegates were typically in the age group of 25-40 years.
* Invitations were extended to spiritual organizations based on their interest and willingness to participate, in consultation with the Ministry of Culture and other relevant bodies.
* **Substance Abuse Focus:**
* The government acknowledges substance abuse as a serious threat to Indian youth and national development.
* **Thematic Sessions and Activities:**
* Session 1: Understanding Addiction: Nature, Types, Demographics of Youth Addict Victims
* Session 2: Decoding the Nexus: Peddler Networks, Access, International Influence
* Session 3: Effective Campaigning and Outreach
* Session 4: Vision 2047 Roadmap and Commitment signing of the Kashi Sankalp
* A Nukkad Natak (street play) and a cultural performance were staged to highlight the effects of drug use.
* Sessions were led by experts from various ministries and Members of Parliament.
* **Kashi Sankalp Details:**
* Outlines a collaborative approach to tackle substance abuse.
* Emphasizes youth-led public campaigns, institutional outreach, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
* Details roles for spiritual bodies, educational institutions, and government ministries.
* Includes mechanisms for Joint Working Groups, public reporting, and structured action planning.
Impact Analysis:
* **Youth:**
* Impact: Addressed as key stakeholders in creating a drug-free India.
* Action Required: Participate in youth-led public campaigns and institutional outreach programs.
* **Spiritual Organizations:**
* Impact: Expected to play a role in prevention, rehabilitation, and awareness.
* Action Required: Collaborate in Joint Working Groups and contribute to structured action planning.
* **Educational Institutions:**
* Impact: Enlisted in the Kashi Sankalp for prevention and awareness efforts.
* Action Required: Implement programs to educate students about the dangers of substance abuse.
* **Government Ministries (Youth Affairs and Sports, Social Justice and Empowerment, Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs, Culture):**
* Impact: Required to coordinate and support initiatives for a drug-free society.
* Action Required: Participate in Joint Working Groups, contribute expertise, and support public campaigns.
Key Entities Referenced
Youth Spiritual Summit: A three-day summit held in Varanasi from July 18th to 20th, 2025, focused on developing a national strategy for a drug-free India.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: The city in Uttar Pradesh where the Youth Spiritual Summit was held.
Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat: The theme of the Youth Spiritual Summit, translating to 'Drug-Free Youth for Developed India'.
Kashi Sankalp: A consensus-based action agenda towards 'Nasha Mukt Bharat' (Drug-Free India) released at the Youth Spiritual Summit.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The government ministry responsible for organizing the Youth Spiritual Summit and addressing youth-related issues.
Ministry of Culture: The ministry that was consulted to extend invitations to spiritual organizations and provided a cultural performance at the summit.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry whose domain experts lead sessions on drug addiction during the summit.
Ministry of Health Family Welfare: A ministry whose domain experts lead sessions on drug addiction during the summit.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO-*218
ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2025
Youth Spiritual Summit
*218. Shri Manish Jaiswal:
Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to
state:-
(a) whether the Government has organized 'Youth Spiritual Summit'
in Varanasi recently and if so, the details thereof along with its aim
and objectives;
(b) the number of youth delegates participated in the said summit
and the criteria adopted for their selection;
(c) whether the Government is aware that substance abuse remains
the gravest threat confronting our youth posing a challenge to
national progress;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the specific sessions and activities
held during the summit to address and strategies discussed on the
issue of drug addiction; and
(e) the details of the follow-up action or programmes planned
against drug addiction?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF THE
LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *218 FOR 04.08.2025
REGARDING YOUTH SPIRITUAL SUMMIT ASKED BY HON’BLE MPs
SHRI MANISH JAISWAL AND SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO
MANE.
(a) Yes, the Government recently organized a Three-day 'Youth
Spiritual Summit' in Varanasi from 18th to 20th July 2025. The
Summit, themed "Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat", brought
together delegates from the youth wings of more than 120 spiritual
organisations and various domain experts, Ministries and other
organizations to develop a comprehensive, youth-led national
strategy for a drug-free India. The deliberations culminated in the
release of the Kashi Sankalp, a consensus-based action agenda
towards Nasha Mukt Bharat.
(b) Approximately 600 youth delegates participated in the Summit,
representing youth wings of various spiritual organisations from
across the country. Delegates were typically in the age group of
25–40 years. The Ministry consulted organisations affiliated with the
Ministry of Culture and other relevant bodies. Based on their
interest and willingness to participate, formal invitations were
extended to spiritual organisations from across India
(c) & (d) Yes, the Government is fully aware that substance abuse
constitutes one of the most serious threats to the well-being and
potential of Indian youth, and consequently, to the country’s
development trajectory. List of thematic sessions and activities
related to drug addiction, conducted during the event are as
follows:
Session 1: Understanding Addiction: Nature, Types,
Demographics of Youth Addict Victims
Session 2: Decoding the Nexus: Peddler Networks, Access,
International Influence
Session 3: Effective Campaigning and OutreachSession 4: Vision 2047 – Roadmap and Commitment & signing
of the Kashi Sankalp
Public Program: A Nukkad Natak highlighting the effects of
drug use and a theme based cultural performance by a team
from Ministry of Culture was also staged. This event was
attended by eminent personalities from the region and also
local youth.
The sessions were lead by domain experts from Ministry of Social
Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Ministry of Home Affairs and some present as well as past Members
of Parliaments active in the field of drug de-addiction and other
experts in the field.
(e) The Kashi Sankalp adopted during the Youth Spiritual Summit in
Varanasi outlines a collaborative approach to tackling substance
abuse through youth-led public campaigns, institutional outreach,
and multi-stakeholder coordination. It emphasizes the cultural and
constitutional imperative of a drug-free society. The declaration
details roles for spiritual bodies, educational institutions, and
Government ministries in prevention, rehabilitation, and awareness.
It also includes mechanisms for Joint Working Groups, public
reporting, and structured action planning.
*****