The youth constitute nearly 40 per cent of India’s population. Being the most vibrant and dynamic segment of our country, the youth is our most valuable human resource. To optimally tap their constructive and creative energies, it is essential to develop their personality and involve them in nation building activities.

An array of institutes were already engaged in training the youth work functionaries of National Service Scheme (1969), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangatan (1972) and other organizations involved in youth development. The need to establish a national level Training Institute was considered imperative to bring under one umbrella all Youth Development activities viz. training, action research, extension, documentation and dissemination.

An apex organization was indeed crucial to sensitize and empower our youth to embrace the challenges of the 21^st century. Thus, germinated the premier national level apex Institute – Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), set up in 1993 in Tamil Nadu.