SRINAGAR: SBI Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the State Bank of India Group, has invited applications for the 14th edition of its flagship SBI Youth for India Fellowship, a 13-month rural development programme aimed at empowering young people to work with grassroots communities across the country.
The fellowship is open to graduates and young professionals aged between 21 and 32 years, including citizens of India, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, and eligible employees of SBI. Selected fellows will collaborate with partner non-governmental organisations and rural communities to implement development initiatives in villages across multiple states and Union Territories.
According to the Foundation, the programme places fellows in rural areas for 13 months, where they work on development challenges in 12 thematic sectors, including education, women’s empowerment, health, rural livelihoods, water management, food security, environmental protection, social entrepreneurship and alternative energy.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SBI Foundation, Swapan Dhar, said the fellowship seeks to nurture young changemakers capable of bridging the urban–rural divide through collaborative development initiatives aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. He noted that the programme aims to build inclusive leadership while creating sustainable solutions at the community level.
Since its launch in 2011, the fellowship has built a network of more than 700 alumni who have worked with 15 partner NGOs in over 250 villages across 22 states and Union Territories. The foundation said the programme’s interventions have positively impacted more than two lakh people through community-driven initiatives.
The current 13th batch (2025–26) comprises 94 fellows working on projects across rural India. Past fellows have implemented scalable solutions such as micro-forest plantations and rainwater harvesting systems benefiting thousands of rural households.
Applications for the upcoming batch can be submitted through the fellowship’s official portal, with the programme designed to provide hands-on experience in grassroots development, leadership and project management.
Apply: https://apply.youthforindia.org
