The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) organised a special interactive Talkathon on September 20, 2026, focusing on drug-abuse prevention, mental health and responsible choices among young people. The 45-minute programme, titled “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat,” brought students, educators and experts together through social media for an open discussion on substance abuse and its impact on youth.
The initiative followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August 2, 2026, call for a “Nasha Mukta Bharat”, with the objective of addressing the growing challenges associated with drugs and intoxicants. According to the CBSE press release, the Talkathon was designed to strengthen awareness among children and young adults and encourage them to make healthy and responsible choices.
CBSE Connects Thousands of Students Through Social Media
The Talkathon adopted a digital-first approach to engage students directly. CBSE invited questions from students through platforms including X, Instagram and YouTube, using the hashtags #NashaMuktYuva and #CBSETalkathon.
The initiative was linked to the broader vision of building a strong foundation among young people for the development of Viksit Bharat by 2047. CBSE said that today’s students will become the youth responsible for carrying forward the country’s development journey in the coming decades.
The direct interaction allowed students to raise concerns and seek responses from professionals on issues that can affect their physical, emotional and social well-being.
Expert Panel Addresses Drug Abuse and Mental Health Concerns
A panel of experts participated in the interactive programme and responded to questions submitted by students online.
The panel included Prof. (Dr.) Nand Kumar, Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS, New Delhi; Ms. Alka Awasthi, Principal of Mayoor School, Noida; and Dr. Anees C., Additional Director at the Narcotics Control Bureau, New Delhi.
The participation of experts from psychiatry, school education and drug-control administration brought different perspectives to the discussion on substance abuse and prevention.
Students raised questions covering several sensitive areas, including mental health, peer pressure and steps for de-addiction. The panellists listened to the questions as they were received through social media and addressed the concerns during the live programme.
Young Students Take Centre Stage as Talkathon Hosts
The programme also placed students at the forefront of the initiative. The Talkathon was hosted by two Class XII students — Samiya from PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 4, R.K. Puram, Delhi, and Rohit Singh from PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 3, Delhi Cantt.
Their participation reflected the programme’s focus on creating a direct and relatable conversation with young audiences rather than limiting the discussion to a conventional awareness campaign.
The National Public Broadcaster, DD News, provided technical, production and logistical support for the programme.
#CBSETalkathon Trends at Number One in India
The initiative received a strong response on social media during the programme. CBSE stated that the hashtag #CBSETalkathon trended at number one in India while the Talkathon was underway.
Also Read | Iran Warns Of Fresh US Strikes As West Asia Peace Talks Hit Critical Deadlock
The social media response highlighted the level of online engagement generated by the discussion and provided students with an additional platform to participate in a conversation about drug-related challenges.
The programme was also live-streamed through the official CBSE YouTube channel, allowing students and other viewers to access the discussion online.
Focus on a Drug-Free and Responsible Young Generation
The CBSE Talkathon placed youth awareness at the centre of its broader message on building a drug-free India. By combining expert guidance, student participation and social-media engagement, the programme created a platform where young people could openly raise questions about issues such as peer pressure, mental health and de-addiction.
The initiative also connected the immediate need for substance-abuse awareness with the longer-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. CBSE’s approach emphasised that creating a strong foundation among children and young adults is an important part of preparing the next generation to contribute to the country’s future development.
The September 20 Talkathon therefore served as an interactive awareness initiative bringing together education, healthcare expertise, drug-control perspectives and youth participation around the central message of “Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat.”
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates and exclusive coverage.
