National Youth Award by Govt. of India

Introduction to the National Youth Award

The National Youth Award (NYA) is a prestigious honor bestowed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, to recognize the remarkable contributions of young individuals and voluntary organizations in the fields of national development, social service, and community welfare. The award aims to encourage young people to excel in various fields of social service and development activities, thus fostering a sense of responsibility toward their community and promoting personal growth as responsible citizens.

The National Youth Award is not just a recognition of past efforts; it is also a powerful tool to motivate the youth of India to actively engage in community-building activities, national development, and social change. By rewarding outstanding work in areas such as health, culture, human rights, art, education, sports, tourism, and more, the award seeks to create role models for other young people, igniting their passion for service to the nation.

Objectives of the National Youth Award

The National Youth Award serves several key objectives, all of which aim to empower young individuals and organizations that are working toward the betterment of society. The main objectives are as follows:

1. Motivate Youth to Excel: The award seeks to challenge young individuals aged between 15 and 29 years to achieve excellence in the fields of national service and social development. The recognition provided by the award encourages young people to continue their good work and strive for further improvements.
2. Encourage Responsibility and Citizenship: It aims to instill a sense of responsibility in the youth toward their community and society at large. This sense of duty helps young people develop their potential as responsible citizens who contribute positively to the nation’s growth.
3. Recognize Outstanding Contributions: The award acknowledges the exceptional work done by individuals and voluntary organizations working toward national development or social service. It serves as a platform to honor the untiring efforts of youth in creating positive change in their communities.
4. Encourage Voluntary Organizations: In addition to recognizing individual achievements, the National Youth Award also honors voluntary youth organizations that have made significant contributions to national development and social service, further motivating them to continue their valuable work.

Award Categories and Benefits

The National Youth Award is conferred in two main categories: Individual Awards and Voluntary Youth Organization Awards. Both categories come with their unique benefits and recognition.

Individual Awards

Young individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary work in the realm of social service and national development are eligible for the National Youth Award. The selected awardees in this category receive the following benefits:

• Medal: A prestigious medal recognizing the outstanding contributions made by the individual.
• Certificate: A certificate of recognition, which serves as an official acknowledgment of the award.
• Monetary Reward: The awardee receives a monetary grant of ₹1,00,000, which is intended to support further community initiatives or personal development.

Voluntary Youth Organization Awards

In addition to recognizing individuals, the award also honors voluntary youth organizations that have made extraordinary contributions over the years. The benefits for organizations are as follows:

• Medal: The organization is awarded a medal recognizing its impactful contributions.
• Certificate: A certificate is issued to validate the organization’s work and achievement.
• Monetary Reward: The organization receives a financial grant of ₹3,00,000, which can be used to support their ongoing and future initiatives in community service and development.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure that the National Youth Award is given to those who have genuinely contributed to social service and national development, certain eligibility criteria are defined for both individuals and organizations.

Eligibility for Individual Awardees

1. Age: The applicant must be between the ages of 15 to 29 years as of January 1st of the nominated year.
2. Citizenship: The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
3. Social Work: The individual must have undertaken extraordinarily identifiable social work in areas such as health, education, culture, human rights, environment, sports, etc.
4. Government Service: Individuals employed with any government body (Central/State Governments, PSUs, universities, schools, etc.) are not eligible for this award.
5. Lifetime Recognition: The award is conferred once in a lifetime.

Eligibility for Voluntary Youth Organizations

1. Registration: The organization must be registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860 or the corresponding state acts for at least three years. It must also have a proper constitution or Articles of Association.
2. Non-Profit Status: The organization must be a non-profit entity, dedicated to community service.
3. Non-Discriminatory: The organization must not discriminate against any group of persons on the grounds of sex, religion, caste, or creed.
4. Extraordinary Service: The organization must have rendered extraordinary service involving youth in relevant fields for at least three years.
5. Reputation: The organization should have a good reputation within the local community.
6. Previous Awards: The organization should not have been conferred with the National Youth Award previously.

Selection Process

The process for selecting the awardees is a detailed one, involving two primary stages to ensure the merit and fairness of the awardees’ selection.

1. Screening by the Screening Committee: The process begins with a Screening Committee, chaired by the Joint Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs. This committee is responsible for reviewing all the applications and proposals for awardees. The committee shortlists candidates and recommends names, ensuring that no more than three times the number of awards are proposed.
2. Final Scrutiny by the Central Selection Committee: The Central Selection Committee, headed by the Secretary of the Department of Youth Affairs, scrutinizes the recommendations made by the Screening Committee. This committee has the authority to consider other cases based on merit, ensuring that the most deserving individuals and organizations are selected for the award.

Application Process

The National Youth Award application process is designed to be accessible and transparent. The award can be applied for online through the official portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to apply:

Registration Process

1. Step 1: Visit the official website for the National Youth Award.
2. Step 2: Click on the “Registration” button.
3. Step 3: Select whether you are applying as an Individual or an Organization.
4. Step 4: For individuals, fill in personal details like name, date of birth, contact details, and Aadhaar number. For organizations, provide details like organization name, authorized person’s details, and a brief description of the organization.
5. Step 5: Submit the registration form.

Application Submission

1. Step 1: Log in to the portal using the registration credentials.
2. Step 2: Choose the award category you wish to apply for.
3. Step 3: Fill in all the mandatory fields in the online application form.
4. Step 4: Submit the application and provide necessary supporting documents like proof of date of birth, recommendation letters, and proof of outstanding work.

Documents Required

For both individuals and organizations, certain documents must be submitted as part of the application process:

• Proof of Date of Birth (Aadhaar card, birth certificate, etc.)
• Supporting Documents: Evidence of the exceptional work performed by the individual or organization.
• Recommendation Letter: A letter from a credible source recommending the individual or organization for the award.

Conclusion

The National Youth Award is an incredible recognition of the invaluable contributions made by the youth of India toward national development and social service. By encouraging and honoring young people and organizations that contribute positively to society, the award promotes a culture of active citizenship and social responsibility among the youth. As this award continues to inspire future generations, it plays a vital role in shaping a prosperous and inclusive India.

Through this initiative, the Government of India hopes to create a vibrant youth community committed to nation-building and social transformation. As we look to the future, the National Youth Award will undoubtedly continue to celebrate and amplify the voices of young leaders working to make India a better place for all.