Shillong, Nov 7: SBI Foundation hosted the valediction ceremony for the 12th Batch of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship in Gurgaon. The event marked the culmination of a transformative 13-month journey for 70 young changemakers who lived and worked in rural India, co-creating scalable, community-driven solutions to address some of the nation’s most pressing social challenges.
Over the past 13 years, the Fellowship has grown into one of India’s most respected youth development programs, reaching more than 200,000 lives across 250+ villages in 21 states and 1 Union Territory through partnerships with 15 leading NGOs. With this graduating cohort, the Global Alumni network now comprises over 700 Fellows, nearly 70% of whom continue to drive impact in India’s social sector through community enterprises, social start-ups, and policy-driven initiatives year on year.
Encouraging the outgoing Batch, ChandraBhushan Kumar Singh, GM & Director, SBA said, “As young changemakers stepping into a world full of opportunities, I encourage you to stay curious, keep learning, and remain committed to your goals. The future belongs to those who adapt and embrace change. The SBI Youth for India Fellowship embodies this spirit, empowering youth to drive meaningful change at the grassroots. In every field, be it banking, business, or social impact, integrity, consistency, and a growth mindset will set you apart. Success isn’t overnight; it’s built through purposeful steps, strong values, and unwavering perseverance. Move forward with confidence.”
Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation, shared, “Each Fellow of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship embodies hope, action, and meaningful impact. Fellowship goes beyond nurturing leaders — it cultivates changemakers who immerse themselves in rural communities to understand challenges firsthand and co-create sustainable solutions. By bridging the skills, innovation, and perspectives of urban youth with the realities of rural India, these Fellows contribute to inclusive growth and drive measurable progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, inspiring a new generation of socially conscious leaders dedicated to lasting change.”
Jagannath Sahoo, President & COO, SBI Foundation, added, “Our Fellows exemplify the transformative power of youth engagement. Their work, from women’s empowerment to inclusive education, reflects a steadfast commitment to equity, inclusion, and sustainability, the pillars of our nation’s development ethos.”
Spanning 12 thematic areas aligned to 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Health, Education, Livelihoods, Environment, Water, and Social Entrepreneurship, the Fellowship equips youth to implement impactful projects that strengthen community capacity and foster self-reliant local ecosystems.
The 2024–25 SBI Youth for India Batch showcased remarkable diversity in academic and professional backgrounds. Of the 70 Fellows, 61% were graduates and 39% postgraduates, representing fields such as Arts and Social Sciences (42%), Commerce (26%), Mathematics (14%), and Engineering (10%). Their interests span Education (35%), Rural Livelihood (17%), and Health (15%), underscoring the program’s multidisciplinary and inclusive impact.
Notable alumni continue to exemplify the Fellowship’s spirit of sustainable change:
Nitesh Bhardwaj- Aadiwasi Janjagruti (Dhadgaon, Maharashtra): Founded a citizen-driven media platform helping over 2,500 tribal families access rightful benefits from government schemes. Over 60 tribal youth have received training in digital communication and entrepreneurship, enhancing local leadership.
Ruchinilo Kemp- Kenono Foundation (Nagaland): Focuses on Community Biodiversity Conservation, Conservation Enterprises, and Cooperatives. Kenono actively promotes ecotourism and biodiversity conservation in Nagaland, contributing to both environmental preservation and community development.
Nishit Sangomla: Navikarana Trust (Mandi, Himachal Pradesh): Promoting clean water access, renewable energy solutions (on-grid and off-grid), and sustainable livelihood models to enhance income and quality of life for communities in the Himalayan region.
About SBI Youth for India
SBI Youth for India Fellowship is SBI Foundation’s uniquely designed 13-month Fellowship program that came into inception in the year 2011. The Fellowship provides a framework for talented youth from diverse backgrounds to join hands with rural communities, understand their struggles, and connect with their aspirations. The Fellowship program works with 15 prominent NGOs across the length and breadth of the country, driving meaningful interventions at the grassroots level.
