USTM to Host Northeast NSS Festival 2026 Celebrating Youth Empowerment and National Integration
Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya | April 2026: The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) is set to host the Northeast NSS Festival 2026 from 21st to 25th April 2026 at its sprawling campus. Centred on the theme “Empowered Youth for Viksit Bharat,” the five-day festival will bring together National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers from across the Northeastern states, fostering unity, leadership, and community engagement.
The festival aims to provide a dynamic platform for youth to engage in nation-building activities while promoting the spirit of “Not Me, But You,” NSS’s guiding principle.
The inaugural session of the Northeast NSS Festival 2026 on 21st April,2026, will be graced by distinguished dignitaries, including the Hon’ble Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Shri Sosthenes Sohtun, Hon’ble Minister-Community & Rural Development, General Administrator, Secretariat Administration, Govt of Meghalaya, Shri Mayralborn Syiem, Hon’ble MLA- Ri-Bhoi district. The occasion will also be attended by senior officials from the National Service Scheme, including representatives from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, and eminent academicians, such as Vice Chancellors and education leaders from reputed universities across the country. The festival is designed as a comprehensive blend of intellectual discourse, community engagement, cultural exchange, and experiential learning. Participants will engage in a series of technical sessions focusing on civic responsibility, youth leadership, sustainable development goals, digital awareness, and the role of NSS in nation-building. Interactive discussions and collaborative forums will encourage young volunteers to reflect on their responsibilities as active citizens and change-makers.
NSS volunteers will participate in village outreach activities in nearby rural areas, undertaking cleanliness drives under the Swachh Bharat initiative, conducting community-based surveys on pressing social issues, and creating awareness through creative expressions such as poster making and slogan campaigns.
The festival will also celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the Northeast through a series of competitions, including folk songs, folk dances, and thematic performances addressing contemporary social issues. A special segment promoting cross-cultural appreciation will see participants presenting dance forms of other Northeastern states, reinforcing the spirit of unity in diversity.
Established in 2011, the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) is the first state private university in the field of Science and Technology in North East India. The University was accredited with an ‘A Grade’ by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in its first cycle of assessment in 2021. USTM remains committed to excellence in teaching, research, innovation, and community engagement, while promoting inclusivity, sustainability, and regional development.