YEP — Youth Empowerment Program

Youth Empowerment Program

LearnServeGrow

Nation before Self.

A value-based leadership program of the All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra, since 2003.

Why YEP began

In the words of the one who conceived it.

**Swami Mitrananda**Conceiver of YEP · National Advisor, AICHYK

I discovered that in many places the Chinmaya Yuva Kendra needed someone who was not a monk to anchor the programme.

People viewed the saffron-clad monks as the ideal youth teachers due to their evolution; however, they do not connect with people, sometimes what they speak is not practical, and the gap is wide between the teacher and the taught.

I thought that the youth needed better mentors, who are just a few years elder to them. On assessing such needs, we started the Youth Empowerment Programme.

Young graduates in YEP serve Bharat for a year, gaining leadership training based on Bharatiya culture and spirituality. At ages 20 or 21, they become relatable role models for 15-year-olds, fostering connection and inspiration.

The program · 14 months

Learn for three months. Serve for eleven. Grow for life.

3 months · 15 June – 14 September 2026 · Training

Learn.

Life skills and leadership through the fundamentals of Hindu culture, Vedanta and spirituality
Soft skills and teamwork, learnt through travel, adventure, sports and games
Personality development through yoga, Vedic chanting, spiritual sadhanas and the celebration of festivals

YEP trainees at a workshop, laughing over a board game they made

11 months · 20 September 2026 – 15 August 2027 · Service

Serve.

In Chinmaya Mission centers, Chinmaya Vidyalayas and other Chinmaya institutions across Bharat
Personality development, soft-skill and life-skill classes, workshops and camps for children and youth
State and national seminars, projects and competitions that kindle cultural and national fervour

Yuva Veers at a Chinmaya Mission center, before Gurudev’s portrait

For life

Grow.

Management skills: organising events, working with people, handling finance and fundraising, time and resources
Self-discovery of one’s swadharma and the purpose of one’s life
A Certificate of Achievement from the All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra

Since 22 September 2003

Two decades of Yuva Veers.

0batches completed

0young leaders trained

0selected for YEP-16

0scholarship for every one of them

Guided by

The course acharyas.

**Swami Swaroopananda**Global Head, Chinmaya Mission

**Swami Swatmananda**Spiritual Mentor, Chinmaya Mission Mumbai

**Swami Anukoolananda**Resident Acharya, YEP · National Convenor, AICHYK

Some of YEP's guest lecturers — …and guest lecturers from *every walk of life.*

Firmly rooted in the timeless wisdom of a glorious past, working towards a grand future.

For dynamic youth who want to empower themselves and serve the nation.

Who can join

Young, unmarried graduates, up to 28 years of age.
A keen desire to learn, and to serve our nation sincerely.
A reasonable command of English and any one regional language.
Ready to give fourteen months exclusively to the program.
Selection by screening and interview.

Where

Chinmaya GardensCoimbatore

Then this is for YOU!

Cool… but this thing is probably crazy expensive

What’s the fees?

zero.

100% scholarship

There is no asterisk.

Boarding, lodging, training, and a monthly stipend throughout the year of service – it’s all on us.

10 June 2026Last date of selectionScreening and interviews close
14 June 2026InaugurationYEP-16 begins
13 September 2026Training completesThree months of learning
20 September 2026Reporting to centersThe year of service begins
15 August 2027Course completionYuva Veers, graduated

Support YEP-16

One Yuva Veer costs ₹2 lakh. Every one of them studies free.

The program is offered at no cost to the students. It is funded entirely by people who believe in it. Being an educational initiative, YEP qualifies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) is registered for CSR under CSR00008084, and All India Chinmaya Yuva Kendra is part of CCMT.

Sponsor a Yuva Veer All YEP links

The whole program, one student: ₹2,00,000
Service, 11 months — stipend and travel: ₹1,10,000
Training, 3 months: ₹90,000
Education travel to significant places in Bharat: ₹35,000
Training, 1 month: ₹30,000
Books, bags and stationery: ₹25,000
Annadaan, a full day: ₹15,000

Keep a high goal in your mind, and consistently think about it.

— Swami Chinmayananda

Learn. Serve. Grow.

yep@chinmayayuvakendra.com @yepbharat