The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has concluded the first month of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan, a nationwide substance abuse prevention campaign run jointly by MY Bharat and the National Service Scheme (NSS). On October 9, 2026, the initiative organised a ‘Yuva Sanwad Mela’ (Youth Dialogue Fair) across India, bringing together young people and community members to spread awareness about addiction and promote healthier lifestyles.
The campaign is part of a 100-week Sankalp Abhiyan, a structured drive being implemented across NSS Regional Directorates to engage youth at the grassroots level. The first month focused on the theme ‘My Health, My Pride’, combining interactive sessions, public awareness and cultural performances to reach diverse audiences.
Key facts
- Total participants reached: 1,06,855 people
- Youth participants: 93,662
- Community members in villages and slums: 13,193
- Institutions and adopted villages involved: 200
- NSS Regional Directorates implementing the campaign: 15
- Interactive seminars and open forums: 509
- Youth participants in dialogue sessions: 36,086
- Information stalls established: 396
- Participants engaged through awareness stalls: 32,909
- Cultural performances (street plays, skits, music): 587
- People reached through cultural activities: 24,944
- Female youth participants: 48,269
- Male youth participants: 45,618
- Social media posts generated: 935 (using #NashaMuktYuva hashtag)
- Month 2 theme: ‘Fit Youth, Addiction-Free Youth’
What the campaign covers
The Yuva Sanwad Mela moved beyond traditional pledge-taking to create space for meaningful conversations about substance abuse. The campaign had three main components: youth dialogue, awareness stalls and cultural performances.
In the dialogue component, NSS volunteers and youth leaders organised 509 interactive seminars and open forums where 36,086 young people discussed the root causes of addiction, the role of peer pressure, and how communities can work together to prevent substance abuse. Faculty members and local leaders participated in these conversations alongside students.
The awareness component set up 396 information stalls and kiosks where volunteers shared details about the physical and psychological effects of drug abuse. These stalls also informed visitors about counselling services and support resources available to people struggling with addiction. A total of 32,909 people visited these stalls.
Cultural performances formed the third pillar, with 587 events including street plays, skits and musical presentations reaching 24,944 individuals. By using locally relevant cultural formats, the campaign made the message about an addiction-free India accessible and memorable for communities.
Gender participation and digital reach
The campaign recorded nearly equal participation from both genders, with 48,269 female youth and 45,618 male youth taking part. This balanced involvement reflects strong engagement from young women in the substance abuse prevention drive.
Beyond on-ground activities, young ambassadors amplified the campaign’s reach through social media. They generated 935 posts using the hashtag #NashaMuktYuva, extending awareness beyond the physical venues to wider online audiences.
What happens next
The successful completion of Month 1 sets the stage for Month 2 of the 100-week campaign. The second phase will shift focus to physical fitness and sports under the theme ‘Fit Youth, Addiction-Free Youth’. This phase will encourage young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and view physical activity as a key strategy in preventing substance abuse.
The Ministry plans to sustain the momentum by continuing to involve MY Bharat, NSS volunteers, educational institutions and local communities in the drive to build an addiction-free India.
What this means for you
If you are a young person or student, the campaign provides a platform to learn about substance abuse, engage in informed discussions and connect with peers facing similar concerns. Community members can access counselling information and support resources through the awareness stalls and dialogue sessions. The campaign also shows how volunteering through NSS can contribute to a larger national effort to address a significant public health issue.