Over 12 Lakh Youth Join MY Bharat Budget Quest; 47,000 Essays Submitted In Stage-2

The MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026, organised by Mera Yuva Bharat under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has received nearly 47,000 essay submissions in its second stage, reflecting strong participation from young citizens engaging with the Union Budget and sharing ideas for the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The initiative aims to bring the Union Budget closer to young people by helping them understand its priorities and encouraging them to contribute policy ideas for India’s development.
According to the Ministry, the programme began with a nationwide online quiz designed to build awareness about the Union Budget. The first stage witnessed participation from more than 12 lakh youth across all states and Union Territories. Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal recorded the highest participation in the quiz round.
Based on their performance in the quiz, top participants from each state and Union Territory advanced to the second stage — the essay round. In this phase, participants submitted essays presenting their ideas and policy perspectives related to India’s growth and development.
The essays were written on nine themes aligned with the priorities of the Union Budget and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat. These themes included agriculture and rural economy, investment in education and skills, infrastructure and economic growth, women-led development, ease of doing business, the digital and innovation-driven economy, entrepreneurship, sustainable development and India’s sports ecosystem.
The Ministry said that winners at the state and Union Territory level will get an opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi beginning March 15. During the interaction, selected participants will discuss the Union Budget and share their perspectives on India’s development journey.
Officials noted that the initiative reflects growing interest among young Indians in public policy and governance. The participation also shows the willingness of the country’s youth to contribute ideas towards building a developed India by 2047.
The government described the response to the MY Bharat Budget Quest as an example of how India’s young generation is engaging with national priorities and participating in discussions around economic planning and development.

