Discuss how MY Bharat leverages India's Digital Public Infrastructure to convert the demographic dividend into a demographic asset.

Q. Discuss how MY Bharat leverages India's Digital Public Infrastructure to convert the demographic dividend into a demographic asset. (15 marks, 250-350 words)

India hosts the world's largest youth cohort, with nearly 65% of its population below 35 years [1]. A dividend becomes an asset only when numbers are matched by skills and civic participation. Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), launched on 31 October 2023 as a Cabinet-approved autonomous body for the 15–29 age group [2], attempts precisely this conversion by riding on Digital India's public rails.

Leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure - Single-window aggregation: built on India's DPI under Digital India, it connects four stakeholders — government, educational institutions, NGOs and industry — on one interoperable platform [1]. - Next-generation stack: an MoU with the Digital India Corporation (MeitY) enables the AI-enabled, multilingual MY Bharat 2.0, with Smart CV Builder, voice-assist navigation and mentorship networks [5]. - Inclusion by design: the mobile app operates in 22 Indian languages, lowering the language and access barrier for rural youth [1]. - Real-time discovery: over 1.52 lakh volunteering opportunities are listed and matched digitally [1].

Converting dividend into asset - Scale of mobilisation: over 2 crore registrations, 16,000+ youth club members and 60,000+ institutional partners [3]. - Employability: 24,900+ Experiential Learning Programmes build hands-on, workforce-ready skills [1]. - Agency: the design makes youth "active drivers" of development, not "passive recipients" [2]. - Territorial equity: the Viksit Vibrant Village Program 2026 deploys volunteers in border villages of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand with the MHA and ITBP [4].

Limits to the conversion - Registration is not participation; sustained engagement remains the harder test. - The digital divide can exclude the very youth most in need. - Digital matching cannot by itself create jobs; convergence with Skill India and NSS is essential.

MY Bharat shows how DPI can convert scattered youth energy into structured, measurable national capability. Its promise will be realised if digital enrolment is followed by verified skilling outcomes and employment linkages, so that Yuva Shakti becomes the operative engine of Viksit Bharat@2047.

(~320 words)

Sources: 1. MY Bharat – Where Digital India Meets Young India, PIB Backgrounder — DPI foundation, 65% below 35, four stakeholders, 22 languages, 1.52 lakh volunteering opportunities, 24,900+ ELPs 2. Cabinet approves establishment of an autonomous body Mera Yuva Bharat, PIB — autonomous body status, 31 October 2023 launch, 15–29 age group, "active drivers not passive recipients" 3. MY Bharat Crosses 2 Crore Registrations, PIB — 2 crore+ registrations, 16,000+ youth clubs, 60,000+ institutional partners 4. MY Bharat Launches Viksit Vibrant Village Program 2026, PIB — border village outreach in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand with MHA and ITBP 5. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Signs MoU with Digital India Corporation to Develop MY Bharat 2.0, PIB — AI-enabled multilingual platform, Smart CV Builder, voice-assist, mentorship networks