Pune, 14 May, 2026 

YUVA Sangam is a flagship programme under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB), an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The programme is aimed at fostering national integration, cultural exchange, and experiential learning among youth across the country.

During the ongoing Phase VI of the initiative, states across India are paired up for cultural exchange. The state of Maharashtra is paired with the state of Andhra Pradesh, and IISER Pune and IIT Tirupati have been designated as the Nodal Institutions from the two states. 

As part of this cultural exchange initiative, starting May 15, 2026, a delegation of students from across Maharashtra is undertaking an educational and cultural immersion visit to Andhra Pradesh and will be hosted by IIT Tirupati. Later, in the month of June 2026, a delegation of students from across Andhra Pradesh will be visiting Maharashtra, and will be hosted by IISER Pune. 

The Maharashtra delegation includes about 50 students in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes, as well as off-campus youth below the age of 30. These delegates are from across several districts of Maharashtra and represent a wide variety of academic disciplines, including science and engineering, literature, law, politics, economics and business administration. They have assembled at IISER Pune today and will leave on May 15, 2026, for a train journey to reach Tirupati. 

On May 14, 2026, the IISER Pune Coordinating Team conducted an orientation session which was followed by a formal flag-off event signaling the beginning of the journey. Dignitaries from IISER Pune and from AICTE were present at the flag-off event, including Prof. Sunil Bhagwat (Director, IISER Pune), Dr. Kaneenika Sinha (IISER Pune Faculty Member and Coordinator) and AICTE officials Sh. Tarun Kakar and Mrs. Garima Rohela.

Speaking about the initiative, Professor Sunil Bhagwat, Director, IISER Pune, said:

“Yuva Sangam provides an exceptional platform for young students to experience the diversity of India firsthand. As an Institute of National Importance and a science institute, IISER Pune is delighted to partner on this programme with academic exchange and cultural immersion. Students develop a deeper understanding of India’s unity in diversity and emerge as ambassadors of national integration. By hosting the young participants at scientific and educational institutes, I'm confident that this would add to India's preparedness in scientific pursuits.”
The programme aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047's vision by encouraging youth participation in nation-building, innovation, scientific temper, and cultural harmony.

Updates, photographs, student reflections, and videos from the YUVA Sangam journey will be made available through the official websites and social media pages of the participating institutions, and Yuva Sangam and Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat initiatives. 

PIB Pune | Harshal Akude/ Priti Malandkar

 

 

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