The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through the National Service Scheme (NSS), conducted nationwide health and wellness activities on September 25, 2026, as part of the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign. The programme, titled “My Health, My Pride,” aimed to promote healthy living among young people and raise awareness about the dangers of substance abuse. The activities took place across 167 educational institutions and their adopted villages, engaging students in health screenings, expert-led talks and substance-abuse prevention initiatives.
Key facts
- 1,75,368 youth participated across 167 educational institutions nationwide
- 48,556 youth aged 15–18 years received free health check-ups and BMI assessments
- 64,938 students attended sessions on nutrition and good health
- 61,874 students attended sessions on the health impacts of addiction
- Approximately 62,000 young people took the Substance-Free Pledge
- Female youth made up 53.0 per cent of nutrition and health session participants and 52.6 per cent of de-addiction session participants
- 95 institutions hosted medical experts and local leaders to conduct the activities
- Activities scheduled in some regions were deferred due to regional festivals and severe weather
Health screenings and medical support
The NSS programme provided free health check-ups to nearly 48,500 students, primarily those aged 15 to 18 years. These screenings included Body Mass Index (BMI) assessments conducted in partnership with District Health Authorities and medical officers. The health checks were carried out under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a national government scheme focused on child health and wellness. The initiative allowed young people to understand the importance of regular health monitoring and to make informed decisions about their lifestyles.
Awareness sessions on health and substance abuse
Two separate expert-led sessions formed the core of the campaign. The first focused on “Importance of Nutrition & Good Health” and reached nearly 65,000 participants. Medical experts and doctors discussed nutrition, wellness and the benefits of healthy living. The second session, titled “Impact of Addiction on Good Health,” engaged nearly 62,000 students and highlighted the physical and mental harms caused by substance abuse. Both sessions were designed to give young people practical knowledge about health choices and the risks associated with drug and alcohol use.
Community involvement and the Substance-Free Pledge
The campaign also involved local leaders, dignitaries and medical professionals, with 95 institutions hosting these figures to inaugurate health camps and interact with students. About 62,000 young people participated in taking the Substance-Free Pledge, a symbolic commitment to living without drugs and alcohol. This component of the programme emphasised prevention and helped young people make conscious, informed choices about substance use.
Connection to the broader Nasha Mukt Yuva campaign
The “My Health, My Pride” activities are part of the Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign, a 100-week national initiative launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The campaign is structured around four pillars: Prevent, Addiction Awareness; Protect, Support Systems; Recover, Rehabilitation; and Lead, Community Engagement. The current activity cycle focuses on three themes: My Health, My Pride; Fit Youth, Addiction-Free Youth; and Life Skills Month. The initiative aims to engage young people in activities related to health, fitness, community service and life skills to build a substance-free youth population.
Gender participation and regional adjustments
Female youth made up a significant portion of participants across sessions, accounting for 53 per cent of those who attended nutrition and health talks and 52.6 per cent of those who attended de-addiction awareness sessions. This reflects strong engagement by young women in the campaign. In some regions, scheduled activities were postponed due to local festivals such as Anant Chaturdashi in Bihar and Jharkhand and Ganesh Visarjan in Maharashtra and Goa. Six institutions in Andhra Pradesh were also affected by severe cyclonic conditions. These activities will be rescheduled in the affected areas.
What this means for you
If you are a student in a school or college, your institution may conduct similar “My Health, My Pride” activities as part of the broader campaign. These provide a chance to understand health screening, nutrition and the risks of substance abuse through expert advice. The Substance-Free Pledge offers a way to publicly commit to making healthy choices. Parents and educators can use these awareness sessions to strengthen conversations with young people about health, wellness and the dangers of drug and alcohol use.