Embedding Positive Youth Development in India: A Case Study of Anubhav Shiksha Kendra’s Strength-Based Approach

Abstract

India, home to the world’s largest adolescent population, faces critical challenges in safeguarding youth mental health and development. Traditional deficit-based models have often failed to address the holistic needs of young people, reinforcing the need for strength-based alternatives. This study explores the integration of Positive Youth Development (PYD) within the Indian context through a single-case design of the Anubhav Shiksha Kendra (ASK), a youth-centered initiative operating across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Using observation and archival analysis, the research documents ASK’s evolution, core values, program components, and outcomes. Findings demonstrate that ASK operationalizes PYD by fostering youth motivation, exchange, civic engagement, and leadership, while nurturing the “Six Cs” of development—Caring, Confidence, Character, Connection, Competence, and Contribution. Evaluations reveal significant impacts on participants’ social responsibility, civic awareness, and employability skills. By embedding PYD principles into practice, ASK provides a replicable framework for NGOs, educational institutions, and policymakers aiming to strengthen adolescent well-being and resilience. The study underscores the urgent need to mainstream PYD in India’s youth policy agenda, positioning young people not as passive recipients of services but as active contributors to social transformation.