- Open to Citizens of India, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), and Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, and SBI Employees
- 13-month experiential rural Fellowship program for passionate urban youth between 21-32 years
- Network of over 700 alumni and 15 Partner NGOs to mentor on 12 thematic areas in more than 250 villages across 22 States and UTs.
- Register and apply at apply.youthforindia.org
NEW DELHI (India CSR): SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank of India Group, has announced the commencement of registrations for the 14th batch of its flagship SBI Youth for India Fellowship, a 13-month journey of purpose, discovery, and transformation.
Designed for young individuals driven by empathy and action, the fellowship invites participants to step beyond the familiar and immerse themselves in the heart of rural India, working hand in hand with communities to reimagine possibilities, spark sustainable change, and play an active role in shaping a more inclusive and resilient future.
Who can Apply?
● Graduates and young professionals aged 21–32 years
● Individuals keen to collaborate with rural communities and 15 reputed Partner NGOs across India to drive meaningful social change
● Indian citizens, OCI holders, and citizens of Bhutan or Nepal & SBI employees passionate about rural development
● Aspirants can apply through: apply.youthforindia.org
● For SBI Employees, they should be a Confirmed Officer in Scale I/II within SBI
Emphasizing the Fellowship’s role in shaping India’s future, Swapan Dhar, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation, said:
“Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the SBI Youth for India Fellowship nurtures changemakers who bridge urban-rural divides through collaboration and empathy, not charity. Across 12 key thematic areas, including education, women’s empowerment, and rural livelihoods, Fellows drive meaningful grassroots impact while building inclusive leadership capabilities. With over 70 percent of alumni moving into social sector leadership, 50-plus social ventures launched, and partnerships with institutions such as NITI Aayog, UN Women, ILO, and J-PAL, the Fellowship continues to convert individual potential into India’s collective progress.”
Over the past 14 years, 700+ Alumni from 12 successful batches have driven substantial, measurable community impact across diverse areas. With 15 Partner NGOs, the Fellows have worked in more than 250 villages across 22 States and UTs. The 13th Batch (YFI 2025–26) is currently on the ground with 94 Fellows. The program has positively impacted more than 2 Lakh lives through various grassroots interventions and community engagement initiatives.
In the past, SBI Youth for India alumni have demonstrated remarkable scalable solutions for rural communities. Consistent grassroots engagement has yielded positive outcomes and delivered sustainable solutions for local administrations and natives.
One such Fellow, Gautam Kumar, began with 4 Micro-Forests at Nivali Cluster, Madhya Pradesh, in 2018, scaling to over 1,800 Micro-Forests across 3 states by 2025. Another Fellow, Shashank Singh, launched rainwater harvesting at Tilonia, Rajasthan, in 2016, collecting 100 million litres in the first year, and by 2025, providing year-round water access to over 1,000 families across 3 villages, ensuring tubewells no longer dry up during summer peaks.
The SBI YFI Fellowship focuses on 12 thematic areas, including Health, Rural Livelihood, Food Security, Environmental Protection, Education, Water, Technology, Women’s Empowerment, Self-Governance, Social Entrepreneurship, Traditional Craft, and Alternate Energy. Fellows work on one of these themes based on their interests during the 13-month program.
Post-completion of the Fellowship, 70% of Fellows have pursued meaningful careers in the social sector, working in Rural Development, Public Policy/Governance, Academia, etc., thereby enabling positive change.
In addition to an experiential learning opportunity, the SBI YFI Fellowship offers hands-on experience in grassroots development, equipping the youth with leadership, problem-solving, and project management skills. After completing the 13-month program, Fellows are equipped and inspired to build impactful careers in social entrepreneurship and development sectors.
(India CSR)
