India Launches MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026 to Bring Youth Into Budget Dialogue

The initiative aims to connect Union Budget 2026–27 with the everyday lives of citizens by actively engaging youth from colleges, institutions and coaching centres across India through a structured, participatory process.

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, today launched MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026, a nationwide youth-focused initiative designed to deepen young people’s understanding of the Union Budget and make fiscal policy more accessible, relatable and citizen-centric.

The initiative aims to connect Union Budget 2026–27 with the everyday lives of citizens by actively engaging youth from colleges, institutions and coaching centres across India through a structured, participatory process.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Mandaviya said the competition will go live on the MY Bharat platform (https://mybharat.gov.in/) from 3 February 2026. The first phase will take the form of a national-level online quiz on the Union Budget 2026, open to all youth registered on the MY Bharat portal. Entries close on 17 February 2026.

Top performers from each State and Union Territory will then advance to the second round, running from 17 February to 3 March 2026, which will feature an essay-writing competition. Participants will be given eight essay topics linked to the Union Budget and aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, offering youth a platform to share ideas, perspectives and policy insights.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to youth-led innovation, the Minister noted that during this year’s Budget Speech, the Hon’ble Finance Minister acknowledged innovative ideas contributed by young people through the Viksit Bharat Youth Leadership Dialogue (VBYLD) — with several of those ideas reflected in the Union Budget itself.

“With MY Bharat Budget Quest, we want to continue this spirit and empower young voices once again,” Dr Mandaviya said.

Essay evaluations will take place between 3 March and 10 March 2026, with State- and UT-wise merit lists announced on 10 March 2026. Winners from each State and Union Territory will earn the opportunity to participate in a virtual interaction with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, focused on the vision of a Viksit Bharat Budget.

The initiative reinforces the government’s drive to promote informed youth participation in national economic discourse, policymaking and development priorities, positioning young Indians as active contributors to the country’s future.

Call to action for youth and institutionsStudents, educators and youth organisations are encouraged to register early on the MY Bharat platform, participate actively, and use this opportunity to shape conversations around India’s economic future and development vision.