Panchayati Raj Ministry to honor Chhattisgarh’s young leaders for excellence in participatory governance on January 28
Raipur, January 22, 2026/In a moment of great pride for Chhattisgarh, the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Kosambuda, has achieved the distinction of becoming the national winner in the first-of-its-kind ‘Model Youth Gram Sabha’ (MYGS) competition. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will formally honor this winning team from Chhattisgarh at a grand national award ceremony to be held in New Delhi on January 28, 2026.
A major victory for Chhattisgarh’s tribal education system, leaving behind participants from over 800 schools across the country, students from EMRS Kosambuda demonstrated an exceptional understanding of rural governance. Launched on October 30, 2025, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Education, this initiative aimed to inspire youth to solve grassroots problems through mock Gram Sabha sessions. Chhattisgarh’s top position signifies how strongly the state has internalized democratic values within its tribal residential school system.
Expressing his delight over this proud achievement, Dr. Kamalakant Yadav, Principal of EMRS Kosambuda, said, “It is a matter of great joy that our school has secured the first position at the national level in the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative. This success reflects the hard work of our students and their deep understanding of problems related to rural development. This visionary initiative by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the central government is an effective platform for connecting students with democratic processes and participatory governance. Through this event, students have got an opportunity to closely understand the decision-making process at the grassroots level. We are excited about participating in the award ceremony in New Delhi on January 28.”
The visionary initiative for youth participation, ‘Model Youth Gram Sabha’, was launched on October 30, 2025. In less than three months, this program has reached over 800 schools across India, fostering a culture of participatory governance among the youth. Among the top 6 shortlisted teams from across the country, EMRS Kosambuda has set new standards in the conduct of Gram Sabhas with discipline and practical solutions to local problems. The award ceremony on January 28 will celebrate the achievement of these young ambassadors of democracy, marking a significant milestone in grooming responsible citizens for the future.