About Dr. Nikhil Yadav – Scholar, Author & Youth Leader

Quick Info

New Delhi · Narnaul, Haryana
Ph.D. – JNU New Delhi
Vivekananda Kendra
3 Books Published
30 Under 30 – 2025
English · Hindi · Ahirwati
insidenikhil@gmail.com
+91 85580 22556

Biography

Dr. Nikhil Yadav

Author · Policy Researcher · Youth Leader · Speaker

Dr. Nikhil Yadav is an author, researcher, youth mentor, and public speaker working at the intersection of Indian Knowledge Systems, youth leadership, education, and the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda. He serves as Sah-Prant Pramukh (Deputy Head), Vivekananda Kendra, Uttar Prant, guiding organisational and youth development initiatives across Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir.

For nearly a decade, he has inspired young people through value-based education, leadership development, and India's civilisational wisdom, combining academic research with grassroots social engagement.

He is the Mentor of Young India: Know Thyself (YIKT), having reached more than 1,50,000 students across Delhi–NCR, and the founder of Swami Vivekananda for Gen Z — a youth movement reconnecting today's generation with timeless Indian wisdom.

He has been felicitated at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, and is a Member of the Hindi Advisory Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

"Inspired by Swami Vivekananda's vision of 'Man-making and Nation-building,' he mentors young people to discover their inner strength, live purposefully, and contribute meaningfully to society."

Origins

Early Life

Born in the village of Dhani Faizabad (Chudeli) in Mahendragarh district, Haryana, Dr. Nikhil Yadav spent his childhood between Narnaul, Panchkula, and Chandigarh.

He completed his schooling up to Class X from Holy Child School, Morni Road, Panchkula, where he actively participated in sports and represented the school at district, state, and national-level competitions. In recognition of his leadership qualities, he was appointed School Sports Captain for the academic session 2011–12.

He completed his senior secondary education from Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 19-C, Chandigarh.

During these formative years, his mother nurtured in him a deep interest in spirituality, while his father introduced him to the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda through small books and biographies — influences that shaped his lifelong commitment to youth development and Indian thought.

Roots

Birthplace: Dhani Faizabad (Chudeli), Mahendragarh, Haryana
Schooling (X): Holy Child School, Panchkula
Senior Secondary: GMSSS Sector 19-C, Chandigarh
Sports Captain: 2011–12

Dr. Nikhil Yadav with Shri Manas Bhattacharjee

With mentor Shri Manas Bhattacharjee

Turning Point

Spiritual Journey

A defining turning point came in 2016, when he met Shri Manas Bhattacharjee, a Jeevanvrati (Life Worker) of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari.

Under his guidance, Dr. Nikhil Yadav received intensive training in yoga, meditation, Indian philosophy, organizational work, and community service. He considers this period the most transformative phase of his life.

He often acknowledges that while Swami Vivekananda showed him the ideals of fearlessness, strength, and selfless service, Shri Manas Bhattacharjee demonstrated how to live those ideals in everyday life — through humility, discipline, and complete dedication to society.

Dr. Nikhil Yadav and his mentor Shri Manas Bhattacharjee also organised a special session for Army Jawans at Army Cantonment, Bhatinda.

Education

Academic Background

Ph.D. – Science Policy & Indian Knowledge Systems

CSSP, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi

2024 — Supervisor: Prof. Madhav Govind

Reward System and Academic Performance in India: A Socio-Historical Study of Select Scientific Awards

Degree conferred by Shri Sreedhara Somanath ji, former Chairman, ISRO, at the 8th JNU Convocation.

M.A. History

Department of History, University of Delhi

B.A. (Hons.) History

Delhi College of Arts & Commerce, University of Delhi (2014–2017)

Man of the Series — Inter-Department Cricket Tournament, 2015

Certificate of Proficiency in Vedic Culture

School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, JNU (2019–20)

Experience

Career & Roles

Sah-Prant Pramukh (Deputy Head)

Vivekananda Kendra, Uttar Prant — Since June 2016

Covering Delhi, HP, Uttarakhand, J&K, Ladakh

Mentor – Young India: Know Thyself (YIKT)

Vivekananda Kendra, Delhi Branch — since 2017

1,50,000+ students · 3,000+ leadership workshops · 1,000+ residential camps

North Zone Youth Head

Vivekananda Kendra (Earlier Role)

Member – Hindi Advisory Committee

Ministry of Textiles, Government of India

Author & Public Intellectual

The Print · Organiser · OpIndia · VIF · SPMRF

The Print Organiser VIF India SPMRF OpIndia

Research

Doctoral Research

Reward System and Academic Performance in India: A Socio-Historical Study of Select Scientific Awards

His doctoral research explores the evolution of India's academic and scientific award systems, tracing their development from ancient scholarly traditions to modern national awards. The study analyses the impact of honours such as the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, examines debates on transparency and institutional bias, and proposes a more equitable framework for recognising scientific excellence.

Institution

CSSP, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Supervisor

Prof. Madhav Govind

Degree Conferred by

Shri Sreedhara Somanath ji, Former Chairman, ISRO — 8th JNU Convocation

Scholarship

Areas of Expertise

Swami Vivekananda Studies

Ramakrishna–Vivekananda Movement

Indian Intellectual History

Indian Freedom Movement

Indian Knowledge Systems

Sister Nivedita Studies

Gandhi Studies

Science, Spirituality & Nationalism

Youth Leadership & Nation Building

Yoga, Meditation & Spirituality

Cultural Nationalism

Education Policy

Science Policy

Leadership Development

Outreach

Academic Outreach

Over the last decade, Dr. Nikhil Yadav has delivered invited lectures, keynote addresses, seminars, workshops, conference presentations, masterclasses, and youth leadership sessions at universities, colleges, research institutions, government bodies, and civil society organizations across India.

🎤

100+

Invited Lectures, Keynotes, Seminars & Academic Talks

🏛️

50+

Universities, Colleges, Research & National Organizations Addressed

🎓

30+

Colleges & Institutions of University of Delhi Engaged

👥

1.5L+

Students, Scholars, Faculty & Youth Reached

📚

✓

National & International Conference Speaker and Presenter

🌏

500+

Registrations for Swami Vivekananda for Gen Z Masterclass Series

Universities & Higher Educational Institutions

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
South Asian University, New Delhi
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad (MNNIT)
University of Delhi (including 30+ colleges and centres)
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
Gautam Buddha University, Uttar Pradesh
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow, UP
Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Kumaun University, Uttarakhand
Amity University, Uttar Pradesh
Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand
Indira Gandhi University, Rewari, Haryana
Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University
Rishihood University, Haryana
Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU)
Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (IGDTUW)

National Institutions, Research Bodies & Organizations

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
CSIR – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR)
Vigyan Prasar
Indian Yoga Association
Delhi Secretariat
Vijnana Bharati
Ramakrishna Mission
Surya Foundation
Disha Foundation
Sanskriti IAS
Indraprastha Cultural Festival
Social, Spiritual and Civil Society Research Organisation

Highlights

Distinguished Engagements

With Smt. Smriti Irani ji

In discussion about his authored books with Smt. Smriti Irani, former Cabinet Minister, Government of India — a meaningful exchange on literature, ideas, and the role of books in shaping public discourse. Also shared the stage at National Youth Day, Talkatora Stadium, attended by 5,000+ participants.

With Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya ji

Presenting his book to Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, Cabinet Minister, Government of India, and Shri Dinesh Patel Ji, Mentor, DISHA Foundation, at the Public Leadership Camp (PLC) 3.0.

With Shri Yogi Adityanath ji

Dr. Nikhil Yadav and his mentor Shri Manas Bhattacharjee with Shri Yogi Adityanath Maharaj, Honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

With Shri Piyush Goyal ji

Presenting his authored book to Shri Piyush Goyal, Cabinet Minister, Government of India.

With Shri Bhupender Yadav ji

Presenting his authored book to Shri Bhupender Yadav, Cabinet Minister, Government of India.

Army Cantonment, Bhatinda

Dr. Nikhil Yadav and his mentor Shri Manas Bhattacharjee organised a special motivational session for Army Jawans at Army Cantonment, Bhatinda.

Recognition

Awards & Recognition

30 Under 30 – 2025

Young Innovators in Policy & Politics — Rama Global Foundation and Mrigtrishna Magazine. Felicitated at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi.

Government Committee Member

Member, Hindi Advisory Committee, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

Book Launched by Union Minister

Living the Vivekananda Way (Rupa Publications) launched by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at Delhi University, 2025. Covered by HT, ANI, Times Now, TOI, Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala & more.

Press