Jaipur, Jan. 13 -- Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma launched the Rajasthan Youth Policy-2026 and Rajasthan Employment Policy-2026 on Monday at the concluding ceremony of the State-Level Youth Festival in Jaipur. He outlined a roadmap to expand opportunities in education, skills, entrepreneurship, and employment for young people across the state. Addressing the closing ceremony at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, he said the state government continuously works to empower youth through education, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation. "The energy, enthusiasm, and talent of youth form the future of the state, and their active participation remains key to achieving a developed Rajasthan," he said. Sharma said National Youth Day represents not merely a date but a tribute to youth power that has shaped the nation's direction in every era. He described the State-Level Youth Festival as a concrete step towards realising the vision of "Developed India, Developed Rajasthan". Referring to Swami Vivekananda's 1893 statement that the 21st century would belong to India, Sharma said Prime Minister Narendra Modi works to turn this vision into reality through the goal of Developed India 2047. He added that youth have become stakeholders in the state's budget-making process for the first time. Focusing on employment, the CM released the Recruitment Examination Calendar-2026, which details the proposed schedule for examinations covering nearly one lakh posts across departments. These include 24,793 posts of sanitation workers, 10,644 posts of Clerk Grade-II and Junior Assistant, 10,000 posts in the education department, and several other vacancies. He said the calendar will enable aspirants to prepare in advance. Sharma said the government has ensured transparency in recruitment by curbing paper leaks and conducting 351 examinations without irregularities. It has provided over one lakh government jobs in the past two years, with recruitment underway for about 1.43 lakh posts. He added that the government has also created more than two lakh employment opportunities in the private sector. The CM launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Swaroja Yojana, under which the government will provide interest-free loans to one lakh youth to become micro-entrepreneurs. Eligible beneficiaries must be permanent residents of Rajasthan and aged between 18 and 45. Highlighting support for startups and skill development, he said the government has trained over three lakh youth in economic sectors, facilitated nearly two lakh internships, established 65 iStart Startup Launchpad Nests, and provided financial assistance of around Rs.22.5 crore to 658 startups. Under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Sambal Yojana, more than four lakh youth have received over Rs.1,100 crore in allowances. Sharma released the Rajasthan Youth Policy-2026, which aims to expand opportunities in emerging sectors through education and skill development. The policy emphasises personality development, greater youth participation in local governance and decision-making, youth-friendly health services, sports promotion, prevention of gender-based violence, encouragement for young artists, and a stronger youth role in sustainable development. The Chief Minister also unveiled the Rajasthan Employment Policy-2026, which targets 15 lakh employment opportunities by March 2029 through a multi-dimensional strategy focused on jobs and entrepreneurship. The policy envisages an integrated, AI-based digital platform that merges the Rajasthan Employment Portal (EEMS 2.0) with employment exchanges and includes e-job fairs for access to national and international opportunities. Earlier in the day, Sharma interacted with students interested in the public sector during a pre-budget dialogue at the CM's residence. He said India is a young nation and its youth serve as the real architects of both the country and the state. He stated that the dream of a developed India and a developed Rajasthan can be realised only through the energy, strength and participation of young people. "When youth move forward, the nation and the state progress. Youth are the real architects of both the country and the state," he said. He emphasised the government's commitment, noting that the state budget will focus on youth to accelerate development and build a strong Rajasthan. The CM added that the suggestions received today will prove extremely useful for policy-making. Students from technical education and higher education institutions, along with relevant officials, were present on the occasion. He said women are progressing across all fields through skill development, and the state government is providing them with all possible support through its policies and decisions. The CM said Atal Gyan Kendras are being established in a phased manner at every gram panchayat to provide rural youth with employment-oriented training through mentors, and the new youth policy ensures ample opportunities for young people....