Context:
The Youth Spiritual Summit 2025 concluded in Varanasi with the adoption of the Kashi Declaration—a national framework aimed at mobilizing youth and spiritual leadership in the fight against substance abuse.

What is the Kashi Declaration?

The Kashi Declaration is a national action plan launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at the Youth Spiritual Summit 2025. It calls for a unified, culturally rooted approach to eliminate drug addiction in India, with youth empowerment and spiritual engagement at its core.

Key Objectives

• Drug-Free Youth by 2047: Establish a Nasha Mukt Yuva as the cornerstone of a Viksit Bharat.
• Spiritual Mobilization: Leverage Varanasi’s spiritual heritage as a force for personal and societal transformation.
• Community Engagement: Promote a whole-of-society strategy involving families, institutions, and civil society.
• Coordinated Governance: Create a Joint National Committee to ensure cross-sector collaboration and accountability.
• Youth Leadership: Empower MY Bharat youth clubs to lead awareness drives and rehabilitation efforts.

Core Features

• Plenary-Based Structure: Shaped through four thematic sessions—psychological impact, trafficking, awareness, and spiritual rehabilitation.
• Multi-Ministerial Collaboration: Includes active participation from the Ministries of Youth Affairs, Social Justice, Culture, Labour, and Home Affairs.
• Annual Progress Review: Monitored through the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue starting in 2026.
• Digital Safeguards: Introduces measures to counter online drug targeting, especially among school children.
• Grassroots Outreach: Launches community campaigns, pledge initiatives, and support networks through the MY Bharat platform.