SBI Youth for India Fellowship: Empowering Young Minds for Rural Development

The SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank Group, invites applications for the 12th Batch of its prestigious SBI Youth for India Fellowship program. This unique initiative, spanning over 13 months, provides an organized platform for educated urban youth, aged 21 to 32 years, including graduates and young professionals, to collaborate with rural communities and 13 renowned NGOs across India. The primary objective is to drive meaningful societal change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates for the Fellowship program must be citizens of Bhutan, Nepal, India, or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) committed to promoting sustainable development goals in rural regions.

Fellowship Thematic Areas

The fellowship program focuses on twelve thematic areas, including technology, women’s empowerment, self-governance, social entrepreneurship, environmental protection, traditional craft, health, rural livelihood, food security, education, water, and alternate energy. Fellows will select one of these topics based on their interests and expertise.

Application Process

Interested candidates are encouraged to seize this opportunity to utilize their skills and creativity for positive change. The application process is available at www.youthforindia.org/register.

Testimonials from Alumni

• Himanshu Pandey (YFI 2016–17 Batch): Works at NITI Aayog & Consults in the Capacity Building Commission, Government of India.
• Naman Bansal (YFI 2015–16 Batch): Attended Harvard University for a Master of Education (M.Ed.).
• Simran Grover (YFI 2011–12 Batch): Established the Centre for Energy, Environment & People (CEEP), focusing on climate governance and energy.

Impact and Success

The SBI Youth for India program boasts a growing network of over 580 graduates who have positively impacted the lives of over 150,000 individuals in 250 villages spread across 20 Indian states. Moreover, more than 100 alumni have pursued postgraduate degrees related to development, while approximately 70% have entered professions in the social sector, including rural development, public policy/government, and academia.

Closing Remarks

Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director, and CEO of the SBI Foundation, highlighted the program's significance in bridging the gap between urban aspirations and rural reality. He emphasized its role in empowering urban youth to effect transformative change in rural communities.