About Us
About Us
The Youth Economic Forum (YEF) is a transformative platform dedicated to unlocking the full potential of India’s youth and positioning them as key drivers of global development. Founded by international leader and philanthropist Chetan Pania, YEF stands rooted in the proud legacy of his grandfather, Late Dr. Gopikishan Acharya—a respected freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in integrating the princely state of Bikaner into India and later into Rajasthan. As the first Deputy Mayor of Independent Bikaner, Dr. Acharya spearheaded essential civic reforms, from water and sanitation infrastructure to mass healthcare initiatives and the rehabilitation of Hindu refugees during Partition. His lifelong service remains the guiding inspiration behind YEF.
With the purpose “Until Every Youth Becomes Self-Reliant to Serve Humanity,” YEF works to equip Indian youth with the skills, resources, and global exposure needed to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders on the world stage. Through its inclusive single-window digital ecosystem offering free awareness, consultancy, and handholding support, YEF is building a generation of confident, self-reliant Indians prepared to shape global markets, strengthen national growth, and contribute meaningfully to a prosperous and self-reliant Viksit Bharat and a better world.
Our Mission
To empower every young Indian with the skills, resources, mentorship, and digital support needed to unlock their full potential. Guided by the purpose “Until Every Youth Becomes Self-Reliant to Serve Humanity,” YEF delivers inclusive awareness, consultancy, and handholding assistance through a single-window digital ecosystem—transforming youth into job creators, change-makers, and contributors to global development.
Our Vision
To build a generation of confident, self-reliant Indian youth who become innovators, entrepreneurs, and global leaders—driving national growth, shaping global markets, and contributing to a prosperous Viksit Bharat and a better world.
Chetan Pania
Founder, Youth Economic Forum (YEF)
“When young minds are guided, supported, and empowered, they do not just build businesses they build nations.”
India stands at a pivotal moment in its development journey, with the world’s largest youth population presenting an unprecedented opportunity to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. The Youth Economic Forum (YEF) was founded on the belief that youth must not only seek opportunities but create them, becoming catalysts of inclusive and sustainable progress. Guided by our purpose, “Until Every Youth Becomes Self-Reliant to Serve Humanity” YEF functions as a single window, no cost ecosystem providing free awareness, consultancy, and handholding support to aspiring entrepreneurs across regions and backgrounds. Our mission is to democratize entrepreneurship by ensuring access to knowledge, mentorship, networks, and meaningful growth opportunities for every young individual. Over the next five years, YEF aims to train 10 crore aspiring youth entrepreneurs, support the creation of 1 lakh youth-led startups and MSMEs, and introduce 25 crore students to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our 14 Pillars of Youth Development, we enable holistic empowerment across leadership, financial inclusion, innovation, policy engagement, and global readiness.
Milestone & Achievements
SDG 8 · Decent Work & Economic Growth
Youth Economic Forum – Bharat & World was initiated by Chetan Pania as a self-funded, informal youth platform to empower first-generation youth entrepreneurs through awareness, consultancy, and handholding on government policies and schemes.
SDG 4 · Quality Education
A formative phase distinguished by deep engagement as a strategic and knowledge partner in leading national and international MSME, startup, investment, and youth leadership programs and summits—laying a strong intellectual and institutional foundation for YEF in public policy, governance, and globally integrated entrepreneurial ecosystems.
SDG 16 · Strong Institutions
In the midst of the unprecedented COVID‑19 global crisis, the Youth Economic Forum was formally incorporated in 2020 as a Section 8 not‑for‑profit institution under the Companies Act, 2013. This milestone marked YEF’s transition from a youth-led movement into a structured public‑interest institution, reaffirming its long‑term commitment to youth‑driven economic development, institutional governance, and inclusive nation‑building aligned with global development standards.
SDG 17 · Partnerships for Goals
Achieved a defining milestone by securing its trade name and registered trademark, formally establishing the Youth Economic Forum’s institutional identity. This was further reinforced through obtaining key statutory recognitions, including CSR eligibility, DARPAN registration, and Income Tax registrations, significantly strengthening governance, transparency, and compliance. Collectively, these accreditations positioned YEF as a credible, trusted, and impact‑oriented youth economic institution with growing recognition at both national and global levels.
Viksit Bharat 2047 · Youth-led Growth
Rolled out a series of high‑impact youth entrepreneurship conclaves, policy dialogues, and capacity‑building programs, positioning YEF as a strategic bridge and catalytic platform between young entrepreneurs and government policies, institutions, finance, and markets. Through these interventions, YEF delivered 360‑degree knowledge, guidance, and ecosystem access to startups and MSME founders—enabling informed decision‑making, compliance readiness, and sustainable enterprise growth.
SDGs · Viksit Bharat 2047
The Youth Economic Forum continues to advance its mission of converting India’s vast demographic dividend into sustainable economic leadership and globally competitive entrepreneurship. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and India’s roadmap towards Viksit Bharat 2047, YEF has so far supported thousands of startups and MSMEs through policy awareness, institutional handholding, and ecosystem-driven capacity building—strengthening the foundations of an inclusive, resilient, and future-ready economy.
SDG 8 · Decent Work & Economic Growth
Youth Economic Forum – Bharat & World was initiated by Chetan Pania as a self-funded, informal youth platform to empower first-generation youth entrepreneurs through awareness, consultancy, and handholding on government policies and schemes.
SDG 4 · Quality Education
A formative phase distinguished by deep engagement as a strategic and knowledge partner in leading national and international MSME, startup, investment, and youth leadership programs and summits—laying a strong intellectual and institutional foundation for YEF in public policy, governance, and globally integrated entrepreneurial ecosystems.
SDG 16 · Strong Institutions
In the midst of the unprecedented COVID‑19 global crisis, the Youth Economic Forum was formally incorporated in 2020 as a Section 8 not‑for‑profit institution under the Companies Act, 2013. This milestone marked YEF’s transition from a youth-led movement into a structured public‑interest institution, reaffirming its long‑term commitment to youth‑driven economic development, institutional governance, and inclusive nation‑building aligned with global development standards.
SDG 17 · Partnerships for Goals
Achieved a defining milestone by securing its trade name and registered trademark, formally establishing the Youth Economic Forum’s institutional identity. This was further reinforced through obtaining key statutory recognitions, including CSR eligibility, DARPAN registration, and Income Tax registrations, significantly strengthening governance, transparency, and compliance. Collectively, these accreditations positioned YEF as a credible, trusted, and impact‑oriented youth economic institution with growing recognition at both national and global levels.
Viksit Bharat 2047 · Youth-led Growth
Rolled out a series of high‑impact youth entrepreneurship conclaves, policy dialogues, and capacity‑building programs, positioning YEF as a strategic bridge and catalytic platform between young entrepreneurs and government policies, institutions, finance, and markets. Through these interventions, YEF delivered 360‑degree knowledge, guidance, and ecosystem access to startups and MSME founders—enabling informed decision‑making, compliance readiness, and sustainable enterprise growth.
SDGs · Viksit Bharat 2047
The Youth Economic Forum continues to advance its mission of converting India’s vast demographic dividend into sustainable economic leadership and globally competitive entrepreneurship. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and India’s roadmap towards Viksit Bharat 2047, YEF has so far supported thousands of startups and MSMEs through policy awareness, institutional handholding, and ecosystem-driven capacity building—strengthening the foundations of an inclusive, resilient, and future-ready economy.
Our Teams
Youth Growth Pillars
Empowering the next generation through skills, mentorship, entrepreneurship, innovation, and social responsibility shaping youth into confident leaders and change makers.
Skill Development
Equipping youth with modern, job-ready skills through training, workshops, and hands-on learning to strengthen their professional and entrepreneurial capabilities.
Entrepreneurship
Inspiring and supporting young innovators to launch, build, and scale sustainable ventures through resources, guidance, and financial opportunities.
Mentorship
Connecting aspiring individuals with industry experts who provide direction, real-world insights, and personal guidance to accelerate growth.
Economic Empowerment
Creating pathways for financial independence through funding access, employment support, and income-generating opportunities.
Social Responsibility
Encouraging youth to contribute to society by promoting ethical leadership, community engagement, and purpose-driven initiatives.
Innovation
Cultivating a culture where creativity, new ideas, and problem-solving are celebrated to drive progress and meaningful change.
Advocacy
Raising youth voices in policy discussions and decision-making processes to ensure their needs, ideas, and contributions shape the future.
