Overview
The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), organized the Young Leaders Forum (YLF) on 31 October 2025 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. This event served as a precursor to the third edition of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue (CDD) 2025, scheduled for 27–28 November 2025. The CDD is the Indian Army’s flagship annual seminar, themed this year “Reform to Transform: Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat.”
Key Highlights of the Young Leaders Forum 2025
Event Significance
Held on National Unity Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Forum embodied the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. It reaffirmed the role of youth as drivers and beneficiaries of national transformation towards Viksit Bharat @2047.
Participation
The event brought together young leaders from various sectors, including:
- Military
- Academia
- Think Tanks
- Entrepreneurship and Research
- NCC Cadets
- School Students
- Industry Partners
- Youth Leaders from the Armed Forces and CAPFs
The forum was conducted in hybrid mode, ensuring nationwide participation through live relays to Army training institutions, IITs, universities, and professional nodes.
Key Addresses
The Forum featured addresses by:
- Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs
- General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff
- Shri Tejasvi Surya, Hon’ble Member of Parliament
Key Themes and Discussions
Address by Shri Kiren Rijiju
Shri Kiren Rijiju emphasized the pivotal role of India’s youth and the Armed Forces in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. He paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Major Bob Khathing for their contributions to India’s unity and sovereignty. He highlighted India’s economic growth exceeding 7%, emphasizing physical fitness, discipline, and patriotism as essential virtues for youth.
Address by General Upendra Dwivedi
General Upendra Dwivedi underscored the vital role of youth in shaping India’s future and safeguarding its sovereignty. He highlighted India’s demographic advantage, with 65% of the population under 35. He outlined the Indian Army’s Decade of Transformation, focusing on restructuring, technological innovation, and youth engagement through initiatives such as Army Cells in IITs, Technology Clusters, and the Indian Army Internship Programme (2025). He also referred to contributions of youth in Operation SINDOOR.
Address by Shri Tejasvi Surya
Shri Tejasvi Surya highlighted the role of Yuva Shakti as the foundation of India’s moral and strategic strength. He spoke of how sacrifice and resilience inspired his commitment to national service, drawing upon India’s heroic heritage. He urged youth to build a self-reliant, disciplined, and united India, where innovation and integrity shape the nation’s march toward Viksit Bharat @2047.
Significance and Outcomes
The Young Leaders Forum 2025 served as a bridge between India’s strategic community and its next generation of leaders, reaffirming the Indian Army’s commitment to a Whole-of-Nation approach to national security. The deliberations from the Forum will contribute to the broader agenda of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025.
UPSC Relevance
This event is relevant to GS Paper 2 (Government Policies and Interventions) and GS Paper 3 (Security). It highlights the government's focus on engaging youth in national development and security. The discussions around Viksit Bharat @2047 and Atmanirbharta are particularly important for understanding India's strategic goals.