The 'Viksit Bharat Youth Conclave 2026' is planned as a three-day event in Pune to create opportunities for youth in sports, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and culture. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed confidence it would connect young people nationwide.
Fadnavis held a meeting at Varsha residence. Attendees included Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and other senior officials.
The national-level conclave at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex will host about 1,000 representatives: 300 from Maharashtra and 700 from other states and Union Territories. Officials were instructed to plan for footfall of over 100,000 youths from across the state.
The conclave is proposed with three experience zones — Warrior, Future and Cultural — covering sports, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, culture and healthy lifestyles. Instructions included self-defence workshops, sports science, nutrition, obstacle courses, technology skill-building, folk arts, music, dance, yoga, mental health and traditional Maharashtra crafts and cuisine.
A fully digital registration system was directed, covering online sign-ups, state nominations, document verification, QR code IDs and mobile guides.
Fadnavis stressed increasing private sector participation in sports alongside central Khelo India funding and public-private partnerships to develop infrastructure.
