Union Cabinet clears Youth Policy

New Delhi: Government on Thursday adopted a new policy to empower youth to participate in priority areas of education, skill development and entrepreneurship, besides participation in politics and governance.

The Union Cabinet, at its meeting here, gave its nod to a new National Youth Policy (NYP-2014) which would replace NYP- 2003 that is currently in force, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari told reporters. The policy takes into account the fact that the youth in India, aged between 15-29 years, constitutes 27.5 per cent of the population or about 33 crore persons, making the country one of the youngest in the world. NYP-2014 identifies five well-defined objectives and 11 priority areas and suggests policy interventions in each of these areas, which include education, skill development and employment, entrepreneurship, health and healthy lifestyle, sports, promotion of social values, community engagement, participation in politics and governance, youth engagement, inclusion and social justice. Aiming at empowering the youth to achieve their full potential, the NYP-2014 proposes broad policy interventions consistent with the 12th Plan priorities. It, however, does not propose any specific programme or scheme having financial implications but all ministries and departments would be asked to bring to focus on youth issues within the framework of their plans, programmes and schemes.