MUMBAI (India CSR): As part of its steadfast commitment to advancing India’s digitization mission, and further driving financial inclusion agenda, PayU, a leading fintech platform, executed a host of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in 2025. Designed to bridge the digital divide and empower underserved communities nationwide, PayU’s multi-faceted programs have directly benefited over 50,000 rural beneficiaries and over 140 women across key villages in states like Maharashtra, etc. and about 450 students and educators in India since 2024. To drive this mission forward, PayU partnered with the key organizations including partnerships with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), NeevJivan NGO, etc.
“PayU’s commitment to social impact goes beyond financial inclusion – we’re building digitally safe and economically empowered communities from the ground up,” said Richa Mukherjee, Senior Director – Corporate Affairs and Public Policy. “These programs represent our belief that technology and entrepreneurship can transform lives. When we see rural students mastering cybersecurity concepts or women launching sustainable businesses, we’re creating lasting change that supports the Digital India mission.”
Pioneering Digital Safety Education
In partnership with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) for its Cyber for Youth Program, PayU revolutionized cybersecurity education in rural Karnataka. Through engaging activities such as interactive quizzes, poster competitions, and live demonstrations conducted in local languages, covering critical topics including cyberbullying prevention, social media safety, and digital payment fraud awareness. The program’s impact was validated through rigorous pre- and post-assessments, with students showing knowledge improvement rates ranging from 62.5% to 82.3% across different schools.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Sustainable Livelihood Programs
By collaborating with NeevJivan NGO, PayU implemented its ‘Model Village Program’ focused on empowering women entrepreneurs in the Nashik, Dahanu, and Jawhar regions of Maharashtra. The initiative introduced sustainable livelihood projects including bee-keeping, mushroom farming, poultry farming, and vermicomposting, providing women with viable alternate income sources.
The program provided comprehensive support including 30-45 days of entrepreneurship training and strategic branding assistance, with products like “Madhu” for honey and “Mastshroom” for mushrooms. The initiative successfully established 14 sustainable projects, with every participating household gaining access to new income-generating opportunities, demonstrating PayU’s commitment to economic empowerment through innovation.
Leadership-Driven Educational Impact
PayU further strengthened its educational commitment through a strategic partnership with Teach for India. PayU’s senior leaders engaged directly with over 450 students and educators through extended mentorship sessions, facilitating knowledge sharing and providing real-world insights into technology, entrepreneurship, and career development. This initiative reinforced PayU’s belief in leadership-driven social change and the power of direct engagement in shaping young minds.
All these initiatives build upon PayU’s established track record of impactful CSR programs. Last year, the company successfully implemented two major initiatives: the Village Adoption Program under RBI’s framework, which brought digital payment literacy to 5,000 beneficiaries across five villages in Uttar Pradesh under the theme ‘Har Payment Digital’ and the Digital Vans initiative in partnership with MeITY’s CSC, which delivered financial and digital literacy training to over 50,238 citizens in remote areas around Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Gurugram. These programs demonstrate PayU’s consistent commitment to bridging the digital divide and advancing financial inclusion across India’s rural landscape.
(India CSR)
