New Delhi, November 08, 2025: The SBI Foundation celebrated the Valediction Ceremony of the 12th Batch of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship in Gurgaon, marking the culmination of a 13-month journey for 70 young changemakers who lived and worked in rural India to co-create community-driven solutions for pressing social challenges.
Over the past 13 years, the Fellowship has emerged as one of India’s leading youth development programmes, impacting over 200,000 lives across 250+ villages in 21 states and one union territory through collaborations with 15 leading NGOs. With this batch’s graduation, the global alumni network now comprises over 700 Fellows, nearly 70% of whom continue their careers in India’s social sector, contributing to social enterprises, start-ups, and policy initiatives.
Shri Chandra Bhushan Kumar Singh, General Manager and Director, SBI, 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.”
Shri Sanjay Prakash, MD & CEO, SBI Foundation, said: “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.”
Shri Jagannath Sahoo, President & COO, SBI Foundation, noted: “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.”
The Fellowship spans 12 thematic areas aligned with 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals, covering sectors such as health, education, livelihoods, environment, water, and social entrepreneurship.
The 2024–25 batch included 70 Fellows with diverse academic backgrounds — 61% graduates and 39% postgraduates — from fields such as Arts and Social Sciences (42%), Commerce (26%), Mathematics (14%), and Engineering (10%). Their projects reflected multidisciplinary impact across education (35%), rural livelihoods (17%), and health (15%).
Notable alumni continue to carry forward the Fellowship’s mission of sustainable change. These include Nitesh Bhardwaj, who founded Aadiwasi Janjagruti to help tribal families access government schemes; Ruchinilo Kemp, whose Kenono Foundation promotes biodiversity conservation and ecotourism in Nagaland; and Nishit Sangomla, founder of Navikarana Trust in Himachal Pradesh, which promotes renewable energy and clean water access.
Launched in 2011, the SBI Youth for India Fellowship is a 13-month programme designed to connect young professionals with rural communities to co-develop sustainable solutions. It continues to serve as a bridge between India’s urban youth and rural realities, fostering innovation, empathy, and leadership for inclusive development.
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