South-West Inter-University Youth Fest in Mysuru from February 9

The JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, will host the 39th AIU South-West Zone Inter-University Youth Festival (UNIFEST), titled ‘YUVOTSAVA 2026’, from February 9 to 13 at its campus here.

Organised under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the five-day youth festival is expected to bring together student talent from across the South-West Zone, celebrating culture, creativity, and youth participation.

Addressing reporters here on Saturday, JSS AHER Vice-Chancellor Dr. Basavanagowdappa said the festival would see participation from 33 universities, with a combined strength of over 1,500 student participants. Of these, 18 universities are from Karnataka, 13 from Maharashtra, and two from Goa.

YUVOTSAVA 2026 aims to promote national integration, cultural harmony, artistic excellence, and mutual understanding among students from different regions and institutions, according to a JSS AHER release.

As many as 27 events will be conducted across six major categories — Music, Dance, Literary Arts, Theatre Arts, Fine Arts, and Cultural Procession — in accordance with AIU guidelines, providing equal opportunities for both individual and group participation.

The competitions will include classical and light vocal music, instrumental music, group songs, folk orchestra, classical, folk and tribal dance, creative choreography, and theatre events such as one-act plays, skits, mime and mimicry. Literary events, including quiz, debate and elocution, along with fine arts competitions such as painting, collage, poster making, clay modelling, cartooning and rangoli, will also be held.

The festival will conclude with a grand cultural procession celebrating India’s unity in diversity, the release added.