Why in the news?

  • Centre is launching the Model Youth Gram Sabha initiative in schools from October in line with the concept of Model United Nations.

Model Youth Gram Sabha initiative

  • What is it?:
    • It is a school-based programme that brings the Gram Sabha’s democratic process into classrooms.
    • It draws inspiration from the Model United Nations (MUN) format.
    • It is the first structured attempt in India to directly connect students with grassroots governance.
  • Nodal Agency:
    • Launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
    • The curriculum and session modules are being co-designed with the Ministries of Education and Tribal Affairs.
  • Aims & Objectives:
    • Raise awareness among schoolchildren about village-level democracy from an early stage.
    • Help students grasp the role and importance of Gram Sabhas in local governance.
    • Foster a mindset that views local government as a platform for public service.
    • Cultivate leadership potential and ethics beyond mere textbook learning.
    • Rekindle youth interest in Gram Sabhas, whose real-world participation is often low.
  • Key Features:
    • The programme will begin in 1,100–1,200 schools, covering Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Residential Schools in tribal areas, and rural government schools in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
    • Students of classes 9 to 12 will assume roles such as sarpanch, ward members, village secretary, Anganwadi worker, ANM, junior engineers etc.
    • They will conduct mock Gram Sabha sessions,
      • Deliberate on local governance issues
      • Draft village budgets and development plans
      • Pass model resolutions on issues affecting rural life
    • These exercises simulate actual Gram Sabha procedures, which include participation of all adults in the village.
    • Teachers will be trained via National Level Master Trainers (NLMTs) to facilitate these sessions.
    • Post-exercise: regional & national competitions will be held for JNVs and EMRSs.
    • Awards & Support:
      • Prize money for top-performing schools
      • All participating schools receive certificates
      • Each school gets ₹20,000 from the Ministry to conduct the mock sessions
  • Significance:
    • Deepens democratic culture by familiarising youth with local-level participation.
    • Encourages active citizenship and civic skills in students rather than passive learning.
    • Bridges theory and practice-  students learn governance by doing.
    • May strengthen appreciation and legitimacy of Panchayati Raj institutions among younger generations.
  • Challenges:
    • Ensuring the model isn’t just symbolic, but genuinely meaningful.
    • Variation in school capacity, infrastructure, and teacher preparedness.
    • Guaranteeing inclusive and gender-equitable participation.
    • Sustaining the initiative beyond pilot phases- institutionalising in school systems.