New Delhi, August 05, 2025: SBI Foundation has officially launched the 13th batch of its flagship SBI Youth for India Fellowship program with an orientation event held at Barefoot College (SWRC) in Tilonia, Rajasthan. The two-week orientation marked the induction of 69 new Fellows into the 13-month Fellowship, which aims to empower young professionals to work on grassroots development across India.
The orientation was inaugurated by Mr. Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director and CEO of SBI Foundation, alongside Ms. Sowmya Kidambi, CEO of Barefoot College (SWRC); Ms. Bhawana Luthra, Executive Director of LEAD India; and Mr. Gyan Prakash, Program Head of SBI Youth for India. The program included field visits, thematic workshops, and discussions with sector experts and alumni to introduce the Fellows to rural realities and the Fellowship's focus areas, including health, education, rural livelihoods, water, and women’s empowerment.
“We are proud to welcome the August cohort of the 13th Batch of SBI Youth for India Fellows. Today’s youth are not just aspiring for change— they are leading it from the front. With nearly 65% of India’s population under the age of 35, the potential for grassroots transformation is immense,” said Mr. Sanjay Prakash. “Through the SBI Youth for India Fellowship, we channel this energy into meaningful action on the ground. When provided with the right opportunities, knowledge, and support, young people become powerful drivers of inclusive, sustainable development— and that’s exactly what this Fellowship is built to nurture.”
The Fellowship places young professionals with 13 grassroots NGOs across India, offering a hands-on learning experience in community engagement and development practice. Since its inception in 2011, the program has engaged over 640 Fellows who have worked across 250+ villages in 21 states and union territories, directly impacting more than two lakh lives. Nearly 70% of past Fellows continue to work in the development sector, many in roles related to social entrepreneurship, governance, and policy.
Commenting on the partnership, Ms. Sowmya Kidambi said, “In today’s dynamic development landscape, initiatives like the SBI Youth for India Fellowship are more relevant than ever. By connecting young professionals with grassroots organizations, the program fosters a culture of mutual learning and collaboration. Fellows gain hands-on experience and valuable mentorship from experienced practitioners, while partner organizations benefit from fresh perspectives and new-age skills. This synergy enables the co-creation of context-driven, community-led solutions—driving inclusive and sustainable changes on the ground.”
Mr. Gyan Prakash added, “This 13-month immersive journey places passionate youth in rural India, where they work alongside communities to challenge the status quo and co-create sustainable solutions. In doing so, they evolve into changemakers with the potential to emerge as future social leaders. The Fellowship is a life-changing opportunity that deepens understanding of rural realities, fosters empathy, and enables profound personal and professional transformation.”
The SBI Youth for India Fellowship is regarded as a credible entry point into the development sector and continues to attract young changemakers committed to rural transformation.
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