Online registration for Yuva Sangam commences

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) will partner with the Indian Institute of Management Jammu to host youth delegations as part of Yuva Sangam – Phase VI, a flagship youth exchange programme under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative of the Ministry of Education under the Union Government.

Through this initiative, youth from Kerala and Lakshadweep will have the opportunity to visit Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, gaining first-hand exposure to the region’s rich cultural heritage, traditions, development initiatives, and educational institutions. Likewise, youth from the partner region will visit Kerala and Lakshadweep, strengthening people-to-people connections and fostering national integration.

Yuva Sangam aims to build deeper emotional bonds among young citizens across the country by facilitating immersive educational and cultural exchange visits between paired States and Union territories. Interested youth in the age group of 18–30 years, including students from higher education institutions, NSS/NYKS volunteers, and young professionals, can apply through the official portals: https://ebsb.aicte-india.org and https://ekbharat.gov.in. The deadline for the application is March 18.

Participants selected under the programme will undertake five to seven-day educational and cultural tours (excluding travel days) to their paired State/UT. During these visits, students will engage with local communities, interact with academic institutions, and experience the unique socio-cultural landscape of the host region.

Commenting on the initiative, Debashis Chatterjee, director, IIM Kozhikode, said: “Yuva Sangam embodies the spirit of ‘Unity in Diversity’ by enabling young Indians to experience the country beyond textbooks and digital screens. By facilitating meaningful cultural and educational exchanges, the programme helps participants develop a deeper understanding of India’s diverse traditions, development pathways, and shared aspirations. IIM Kozhikode is proud to partner with IIM Jammu in this phase to strengthen national integration and provide youth from Kerala and Lakshadweep an enriching opportunity to explore and learn from the vibrant culture of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.”

The programme is structured around five thematic pillars – the ‘5 Ps’: Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions and Culture), Pragati (Development and Governance), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology and Innovation).