has dreams, energy and potential waiting to be unlocked. In a fast-changing India, success is no longer defined by academics alone — it is shaped by confidence, resilience, creativity and leadership. The international award for young people offers a structured, non-formal way to build exactly those qualities outside the classroom. Founded in 1956, the programme has seen over eleven million young people participate across more than 130 countries and territories, making it the world's leading youth achievement award and one of the finest experiential learning programmes in education today.
What Is the International Award for Young People?
The international award for young people is part of the worldwide Duke of Edinburgh's International Award framework. It is not an exam, a scholarship test or a competition. Instead, it is a personal challenge: a self-directed journey in which each participant sets their own goals, works at them consistently over time, and records their progress until the goals are achieved.
The programme arrived in India in 1962 with a clear mission — to "Equip Young People for Life." Since then, IAYP in India has touched the lives of over 100,000 young achievers, equipping them with life skills, values and global opportunities that go beyond the classroom. More than 325 institutions across India are today licensed as Award Units, spanning states from Jammu and Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, and from Gujarat to Meghalaya.
The Three Levels of the Award
There are three progressive levels, each demanding a greater commitment than the one before:
Bronze — for those over 14 years old
Silver — for those over 15 years old
Gold — for those over 16 years old
The progression is deliberate. At Bronze, participants will need strong support from adults. At Silver, they should be given more independence. By Gold, they should be largely responsible for designing and running their own programme. A participant may start at Bronze and work upward, or enter directly at a higher level according to their age.
The Sections That Make Up the Journey
The international award for young people is built around four core sections, with a fifth added at Gold level. Participants complete all four sections at each level to achieve their Award.
Voluntary Service — giving time to the community and understanding the responsibility of contributing to society.
Skills — developing a personal interest, hobby or practical skill, whether that is coding, classical music, photography, public speaking or entrepreneurship.
Physical Recreation — improving fitness and performance through sport, dance, yoga or any structured physical activity.
Adventurous Journey — planning, training for and undertaking a journey in an unfamiliar environment, usually as part of a team.
Residential Project — at the Gold level only, participants also complete a Residential Project as an additional fifth section, spending a shared, purposeful period away from home with people they have not met before.
What Makes the Award Different
The Award is deliberately designed to be inclusive and personal rather than competitive. It is progressive, with each level demanding increased commitment and improvement. It is balanced, with sections that make varying demands according to interest and ability. It is enjoyable, non-competitive — a personal challenge for self-improvement rather than a contest against others — and achievement-focused, because the Log Sheet records positive achievement and improvement only.
It is also voluntary: participants are free to choose and design their own activities and level of commitment. And critically, it is available to all. There is only one Award, accessible to every young person with no discrimination on grounds of caste, creed, gender, cultural background or religion.
Why the Award Matters for Indian Students
In today's competitive academic and professional environment, Indian students need more than classroom knowledge. They need opportunities that build character, leadership, teamwork and resilience. Through the international award for young people, participants choose their own path across skill development, physical recreation, adventure and community service. They discover new passions — from volunteering to creative arts, sports or entrepreneurship. And they gain international recognition that is valued by top universities in India and abroad, along with employers globally, as proof of leadership, character and commitment.
The benefits show up long after the certificate is framed. Participants consistently report stronger confidence and resilience from overcoming challenges through adventure and teamwork, improved leadership and communication from taking initiative with peers, greater creativity and adaptability, and sharper planning and problem-solving skills applied in real-life situations.
IAYP for Schools and Colleges
Educational institutions across India are realising that a first-class academic education is only half the story. By offering the international award for young people, schools and colleges can enrich student life with skill-based and service-oriented activities, promote holistic development by balancing academics with leadership training, strengthen institutional reputation through global affiliations, and engage parents and communities by building a culture of service and resilience.
More than 300 schools and colleges in India are already active IAYP partners — a growing movement shaping the next generation of responsible citizens.
How to Begin Your Award Journey
Starting is straightforward. Find an Award Unit or YES Centre near you, register through your institution, and set your goals for each section with the guidance of an Award Leader. Progress is then logged and assessed through the Online Record Book (ORB), the global digital platform used by participants and Award Leaders worldwide. For participants who need adventure support, IAYP works with a network of trained activity providers located in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Gurgaon, Dehradun, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Nagpur and Noida.
Whether you are a student, parent, educator or institution, the international award for young people opens doors to opportunities that last a lifetime. To begin, reach out to IAYP India at 86/1, First Floor, Shahpur Jat, August Kranti Marg, Near Asian Games Village, Delhi 110049, or call +91-9220459539.
The International Award for Young People (IAYP)
86/1, Ist Floor, Shahpur Jat, August Kranti Marg, Near Asian Games Village, Delhi, India, 110049
011 4108 7062 , 9220459539
