Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for the Wards of Central Armed Police Forces & Assam Rifles 2026

The National Youth Award celebrates and encourages young Indians aged 15-29 for their exceptional contributions to social Read More... service and national development, fostering a sense of community responsibility. Read less

Details

The National Youth Award is a prestigious honour presented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs to young Indians who have demonstrated remarkable dedication and excellence in social service and national development. It aims to inspire young people to achieve greatness, build a strong sense of responsibility towards their communities, and enhance their potential as active citizens.

What Is This Scheme?

This award acknowledges and rewards outstanding work done by young individuals and voluntary youth organizations across various fields. These include areas like health, research, innovation, culture, human rights, art, literature, tourism, traditional medicine, active citizenship, community service, sports, and academic excellence.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme is designed to recognize two main groups: individual young Indian citizens and registered voluntary youth organizations. Both are celebrated for their significant efforts in contributing to the nation's progress and societal well-being.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The National Youth Award plays a crucial role in motivating young individuals and organizations to continue their impactful work. By providing recognition and support, it encourages a culture of selfless service and civic responsibility, ultimately contributing to a stronger and more developed India.

Objective

The National Youth Award celebrates and encourages young Indians aged 15-29 for their exceptional contributions to social service and national development, fostering a sense of community responsibility.

Benefits

The benefits under the scheme is as follows:

Amount of Scholarship:

• ₹3,000/- per month for girls.

• ₹2,500/- per month for boys

Note:The above scholarship amount is to be paid annually after selection @ ₹36,000/- to each girl & ₹30,000/- to each boy.

Duration of Scholarship:

Up to 5 years (depending upon the duration of the course being pursued by the applicant and as approved by the respective regulatory body).

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

The National Youth Award has specific criteria for both individuals and organizations:

For Individuals:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Age must be between 15 and 29 years as of January 1st of the nominated year.
- Must have performed identifiable and extraordinary social work.
- Individuals employed in government services (Central/State Governments, PSUs, Universities, Colleges, Schools, etc.) are not eligible.
- The award can only be conferred once in a lifetime.
For Voluntary Organizations:
- Must be registered for at least three years under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860, or a corresponding State Act, with a proper constitution.
- Must be a non-profit organization.
- Must not have discriminated against any person or group based on sex, religion, caste, or creed.
- Must have rendered extraordinary service involving youth in the relevant field for at least three years.
- Must have a good reputation within the local community.
- Must not have received this award previously.

How To Apply

The selection process involves multiple stages:

Applications are initially screened by a Screening Committee, headed by the Joint Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs. This committee shortlists candidates, typically three times the number of awards to be given.
A Central Selection Committee, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs, then reviews these recommendations. This committee makes the final selection of awardees and has the discretion to consider other deserving cases based on merit.
Award presentations are made at a special ceremony organized annually.

Documents Required

Proof of Date of Birth (DOB).
Supporting documents that showcase your outstanding work.
A recommendation letter.

FAQ’s

What is the main goal behind the National Youth Award?

The award aims to inspire young individuals and organizations to excel in national development and social service, encouraging them to be responsible members of society and improve their potential.

Can government employees apply for the National Youth Award?

No, individuals employed in any government service, including Central/State Governments, PSUs, universities, colleges, or schools, are not eligible to apply for this award.

How many times can an individual receive the National Youth Award?

The National Youth Award is a one-time recognition. It can only be conferred upon an individual once in their lifetime.

What kind of work is recognized by the National Youth Award?

The award recognizes exceptional work in various fields such as health, research, innovation, culture, human rights, art, literature, tourism, traditional medicine, active citizenship, community service, sports, and academic excellence.

How are the awardees selected?

Awardees are selected through a two-stage process. First, a Screening Committee reviews applications, and then a Central Selection Committee headed by the Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs makes the final selection.

What financial assistance is provided to individual awardees?

Individual awardees receive a cash prize of ₹1,00,000/-, along with a medal and a certificate.

What financial assistance is provided to organizations that win the award?

Awarded voluntary youth organizations receive a cash prize of ₹3,00,000/-, along with a medal and a certificate.

What is the age limit for individual applicants for this award?

To be eligible, individual applicants must be between 15 and 29 years old as of January 1st of the year in which they are nominated.

For how long must an organization have been active to be eligible?

A voluntary organization must have been registered for at least three years and must have demonstrated its service involvement with youth for at least three years to be considered for the award.