Jaipur, April 22, 2026
The Department of Higher Education, Government of Rajasthan, in partnership with UNICEF and leading academic institutions including IIM Udaipur and IITs, today launched Yuva Setu, an innovative “Campus to Community” initiative aimed at connecting college students with grassroots development processes and strengthening local governance.
The Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Prem Chand Bairwa, formally launched the Yuva Setu programme, including its booklet and logo.
In his address, Shri Bairwa underscored that Yuva Setu is not merely a programme but a strategic initiative aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Rajasthan 2047, positioning youth as active partners in development.
“Rajasthan’s large youth population is its greatest strength. Empowering them with the right education, skills, and direction is critical to accelerating the state’s development trajectory. Yuva Setu will enable students to contribute directly to local development planning and implementation, while building leadership and problem-solving abilities and bridging the gap between education and employment,” he said.
The launch-cum-orientation programme, held in Jaipur, brought together senior government officials, academicians from IITs, IIMs and state universities, and development partners to deliberate on the role of higher education institutions in rural transformation.
Shri Kuldeep Ranka, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher and Technical Education, highlighted that the initiative reflects a shift from “knowledge creation to nation building,” positioning colleges as active partners in local development. He emphasized that structured engagement with Panchayati Raj Institutions will make higher education more outcome-oriented, field-linked, and impact-driven.
UNICEF reiterated its role as a technical partner in co-designing the programme architecture, developing learning modules, and ensuring quality and scalability, with a strong focus on inclusion of women, children, and vulnerable groups.
“UNICEF’s Strategic Plan 2026–29 emphasizes continuity across the lifecycle, which aligns with the vision of Viksit Rajasthan 2047 and Viksit Bharat 2047. Yuva Setu is designed as a win–win model –strengthening Panchayats through data-driven planning and youth engagement, while equipping students with real-world experience, leadership skills, and improved employability,” said Shri K. L. Rao, UNICEF Rajasthan.
Shri O. P. Bairwa, Commissioner, College Education, and Prof. Manoj Dixit, Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, noted that the initiative marks a significant step towards building a cadre of future-ready youth while strengthening local governance systems.
The day began with a panel discussion on the foundations laid under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, highlighting the growing role of higher education institutions in community engagement and evidence-based rural development. This was followed by technical sessions led by UNICEF and IIM Udaipur, focusing on the design and framework of Yuva Setu, including experiential learning and stronger linkages between education and governance.
