University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) is set to host the Northeast NSS Festival 2026 from April 21 to 25, 2026, on its 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 will be graced by distinguished dignitaries, including the Meghalaya minister Sosthenes Sohtun and MLA Mayralborn Syiem. 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 dance, 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.