SRINAGAR: SBI Foundation has invited applications for the thirteenth batch of its flagship ‘Youth for India’ Fellowship, offering young graduates and professionals across the country an opportunity to contribute to grassroots-level rural development across India.
The 13-month paid fellowship programme, run in partnership with 13 reputed NGOs, aims to empower individuals aged 21 to 32 to work directly with rural communities on issues such as education, women’s empowerment, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods.
Eligible candidates include Indian citizens, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. Interested applicants can register through the official link.
“The SBI Youth for India Fellowship aligns with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by enabling youth to drive transformative change in rural India,” said Mr Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director and CEO of SBI Foundation. He highlighted that the fellows not only support community development but also gain leadership and problem-solving experience that enhances their personal growth.
Since its inception in 2011, the programme has engaged over 640 fellows who have impacted more than 1.5 lakh lives in 250 villages across 20 states. The fellowship’s alumni include social innovators such as Siddharth Daga, co-founder of NeoMotion, and Nupur Poharkar, founder of PIRUL Handicrafts—both of whom have received national recognition for their work.
The fellowship’s thematic areas include Health, Education, Water, Technology, Alternate Energy, Self-Governance, Traditional Crafts, and Social Entrepreneurship, among others. Post-fellowship, 70 percent of participants have pursued careers in public policy, academia, or social entrepreneurship.
Many fellows also go on to further education. Alumni have been accepted into prestigious institutions like Harvard University and the University of Oxford, underlining the fellowship’s role in shaping meaningful career paths.
Modelled after the US Peace Corps, the Youth for India Fellowship encourages young individuals to immerse themselves in rural life, develop empathy, and co-create sustainable solutions to local challenges.
For further information, contact:
Atul Kumar: atul@thereppro.com | 9968807709
Roshni Thapa: roshni@thereppro.com | 9650591873
