PM Modi to launch Nasha Mukta Yuva Abhiyaan on 2 August, 1 crore youth to pledge
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch the 'Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan' on 2 August, a nationwide campaign designed to mobilise young Indians in a sustained collective effort against substance abuse. The initiative is anchored in Modi's broader vision of a drug-free India and aligns with the long-term developmental goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Scale and Reach of the Campaign
At launch, nearly 10,000 locations across India are expected to participate simultaneously, with more than one crore (10 million) youth anticipated to take the Nasha Mukti Pledge and enrol as Nasha Mukta Yuva Volunteers. The sheer geographic spread of Day One activities makes this one of the largest single-day youth mobilisations on a public health theme in recent memory.
The campaign is being led by MY Bharat youth volunteers and will draw participation from the National Service Scheme (NSS), youth clubs, schools, colleges, universities, NGOs, industrial associations, and more than 125 spiritual organisations.
A 100-Week Movement, Not a One-Day Event
Organisers have explicitly designed the Abhiyaan as a 100-week Jan Bhagidari (people's participation) movement, distinguishing it from one-off awareness drives. Every Sunday over the next 100 weeks will feature structured activities including sports events, walkathons, meditation sessions, cultural programmes, art competitions, nukkad nataks (street plays), and community outreach.
Volunteers and organisations making notable contributions will be recognised at the 50th, 75th, and 100th week milestones, providing a structured incentive for long-term engagement. This approach reflects a shift from episodic government campaigns toward institutionalised youth participation — a model that has been attempted with varying success in past public health drives.
The Broader Policy Context
The launch comes amid persistent concerns about rising substance abuse among Indian youth, particularly in states such as Punjab, where drug dependency has been a long-standing socio-political issue. The campaign's central message — that 'drug-free youth are the greatest strength of Viksit Bharat' — is intended to frame anti-drug commitment as an act of national service rather than mere personal restraint.
Notably, this initiative sits within a wider ecosystem of youth-focused government programmes, including the Fit India Movement and Yuva Shakti schemes, signalling a concerted effort to channel the demographic dividend toward nation-building objectives ahead of 2047.
What Happens Next
Following the Prime Minister's launch on 2 August, the campaign's weekly Sunday activities are expected to roll out across participating institutions nationwide. The government has indicated that recognition ceremonies at milestone weeks will help sustain momentum over the campaign's two-year arc. Civil society observers will be watching whether the 100-week structure translates into measurable outcomes in drug awareness and rehabilitation referrals.