YCS/YSM India Opens 20th National Council in Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 28, 2026 — The 20th National Council of Young Christian Students/Young Students Movement (YCS/YSM) India commenced at St. Joseph Engineering College in Mangaluru on May 28, bringing together around 120 student delegates from across the country for a two-day national gathering focused on leadership, faith formation and the future of the movement.

Hosted by the YCS/YSM Karnataka Region in collaboration with the YCS/YSM Mangalore Diocese, the council has drawn delegates from seven regions — Agra, Madhya Pradesh, Telugu, Karnataka, Northern, Northeast and Kerala. The gathering will conclude with the election of a new national leadership team to guide the movement for the next three years.

The event opened with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided over by Bishop Leslie Clifford D’Souza of Udupi Diocese. In his homily, the bishop emphasised the importance of cultivating a personal relationship with God and encouraged young leaders to live lives rooted in faith and guided by divine grace.

Reflecting on Genesis 1:28, Bishop D’Souza said that God blessed humanity with life, companionship and the mission to grow and bear fruit. He described the YCS movement as a visible expression of the Holy Spirit at work, bringing together young people from different religions, cultures, languages and traditions in a shared mission of faith and service.

Addressing the delegates, the bishop reminded them that “the Church loves the young” and urged them to remain committed to the principles of “Dialogue, Discernment and Decisions,” inspired by the movement’s See, Judge and Act methodology.

The council is being presided over by National President Anson Nazreth, National Secretary Monet and elected member and regional representative Abhay Bilwal.

Among those attending the gathering are Bishop Ignatius D’Souza, chairman of the CCBI Commission for Youth, and Fr John Barman MSFS, national executive secretary of the commission, along with regional and diocesan directors, animators, observers, invitees and alumni members.

During the council sessions, members of the National Executive Committee presented triennial reports detailing regional activities, national programmes, financial statements and the proposed budget for the next three years.

Delegates are also expected to deliberate on several pressing concerns affecting the movement, including chaplaincy support, expansion initiatives, teenage ministry, strengthening the identity of YCS/YSM and securing continued backing from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) to further promote the movement nationwide.

By Mr. Anson Nazreth

National President

YCSYSM India

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