The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued an important public advisory and official communication regarding two significant updates — one about fraudulent calls demanding money under the pretense of UGC approvals, and another regarding the launch of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS).
🔔 UGC Official Public Advisory: Beware of Fraudulent Calls and Scams
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently brought to public notice that some fraudulent individuals or agencies are misusing the UGC’s name to demand money from educational institutions, researchers, and the general public. These individuals falsely claim that they can help in getting project or proposal approvals from UGC in exchange for money.
⚠️ UGC Clarification: No Individual or Agency Is Authorized to Collect Money
The UGC has made it absolutely clear that all its work is conducted in accordance with official rules and regulations. It does not authorize any individual, middleman, or agency to demand money, offer favors, or guarantee proposal approvals on its behalf.
UGC urges everyone to stay vigilant and not fall prey to such fraudulent claims or calls.
📞 How to Report UGC-Related Frauds
If anyone receives fake calls, emails, or messages from people claiming to represent UGC and asking for money, the UGC has requested to immediately report such incidents.
Here’s how you can report:
- Nearest Police Station: File a complaint about the fraudulent activity.
- Chief Vigilance Officer, UGC:
- Telephone: 011-23239337, 23604121
- Email: secy.ugc@nic.in
- Public Grievance Portal: https://pgportal.gov.in/
By reporting such incidents, you help ensure transparency, protect others from scams, and maintain the integrity of India’s higher education ecosystem.
🧠 Importance of the UGC Advisory
This UGC advisory is crucial because it safeguards not only universities and colleges, but also faculty members, researchers, and students from becoming victims of cyber and financial frauds. Such scams have the potential to damage institutional credibility and undermine public trust in government agencies. The UGC’s proactive approach reinforces its commitment to transparency, accountability, and digital security in higher education governance.
🌟 Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 – A Vision for the Future
In a parallel communication, the UGC has shared details of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) — a national-level youth platform launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This transformative initiative is part of the larger vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, which aims to engage, inspire, and empower India’s youth to contribute actively to the nation’s development journey.
🇮🇳 What Is Viksit Bharat @2047?
Viksit Bharat @2047 represents India’s long-term national vision to become a developed nation by the year 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
This vision focuses on:
- Economic progress
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Youth empowerment
- Sustainable development
- Global leadership
The VBYLD platform is designed to connect young minds with this vision and give them a chance to directly share their ideas, innovations, and aspirations with national leaders, including the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
🗓️ VBYLD 2024-25: The Successful Inaugural Edition
The first edition of VBYLD, held during 2024–25, was a resounding success. It brought together thousands of young leaders from across the country for:
- Thematic Dialogues on development, leadership, and innovation
- Creative Competitions showcasing talent and ideas
- Interactive Experiences that allowed participants to engage directly with policymakers
This event created a historic opportunity for youth to contribute meaningfully to India’s developmental roadmap.
🎯 Launch of VBYLD 2026: Quiz Round and Registration
Building on the success of the first edition, the Quiz Round for VBYLD 2026 has officially been launched on 1st September 2025 through the MY Bharat and MyGov portals. This quiz marks the first stage of the selection process, allowing students and young participants to showcase their awareness, leadership skills, and national spirit.
The quiz will serve as the gateway to a larger engagement journey, leading to interactive sessions, national events, and dialogue opportunities with national leaders.
💻 How to Register for the VBYLD Quiz 2026
Students and participants can easily register for the VBYLD 2026 Quiz by following these steps:
- Visit the official portal – MY Bharat Portal or MyGov Portal.
- Search for the “VBYLD 2026 Quiz” section.
- Create or log in with your account credentials.
- Fill in basic personal and academic details.
- Participate in the quiz and submit your responses.
It’s simple, fast, and an incredible opportunity to represent your institution and ideas at the national level.
🏫 Role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has requested all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to take active steps in promoting the VBYLD 2026 initiative.
Colleges and universities are advised to:
- Display banners, hoardings, and posters about the VBYLD Quiz across campuses.
- Encourage maximum student participation through institutional communication channels.
- Facilitate registration for interested students on the MY Bharat portal.
- Share quiz details on official websites, notice boards, and social media handles.
By doing this, institutions can help bridge the gap between government initiatives and young innovators, ensuring widespread awareness and inclusivity.
🌍 Objectives of the VBYLD Initiative
The VBYLD program is not just a competition; it’s a movement to redefine leadership among the youth of India. Its key objectives include:
- Empowering youth voices for nation-building.
- Encouraging innovation and creativity in development dialogues.
- Creating an interactive platform for policy feedback.
- Building future-ready leaders for Viksit Bharat @2047.
- Aligning academic learning with national missions.
🌱 How VBYLD Empowers Young India
Through VBYLD, participants gain:
- Direct exposure to national policy dialogues.
- Networking opportunities with young changemakers.
- Recognition from national leadership.
- Skill development in leadership, communication, and innovation.
- A sense of purpose and belonging to India’s growth story.
This initiative transforms the youth from passive learners to active contributors, enabling them to shape the country’s trajectory toward becoming a developed nation.
🧩 MY Bharat and MyGov Portals – Connecting Youth Digitally
Both MY Bharat and MyGov portals are digital platforms designed to engage citizens and youth in governance and national programs.
These portals provide:
- Interactive quizzes and discussions
- Volunteer opportunities
- Developmental programs and contests
- Direct communication channels with the Government of India
The integration of VBYLD 2026 within these portals ensures transparency, accessibility, and equal opportunity for every student, regardless of their geographical location.
🌟 The Vision of VBYLD: From Dialogue to Action
The VBYLD initiative emphasizes that true leadership lies not just in words, but in action and innovation. By connecting youth voices to national policymaking, it aims to:
- Build a dynamic ecosystem of young thinkers and doers.
- Enable policy co-creation with student participation.
- Cultivate a new generation of leaders aligned with the 2047 vision.
📢 Message to Higher Education Institutions
The UGC’s letter to all universities and HEIs calls for affirmative response and active collaboration. Institutions are urged to take ownership of the VBYLD campaign and ensure its message reaches every student.
This joint effort between UGC, MoYAS, and academic institutions will empower the youth, strengthen the Viksit Bharat movement, and bridge the gap between aspiration and action.
🔚 Conclusion
The dual announcements by UGC — one addressing fraud prevention and another promoting youth empowerment through VBYLD 2026 — reflect India’s strong commitment to integrity, innovation, and inclusivity in education and governance.
While the UGC advisory protects the higher education ecosystem from exploitation, the VBYLD initiative inspires the next generation to take charge of the nation’s future.
Together, they symbolize India’s progress toward Viksit Bharat @2047 — where education, ethics, and empowerment walk hand in hand to build a developed, responsible, and visionary India. 🇮🇳