New Delhi, July 18, 2026: Standard Chartered and Dr. Reddy’s Foundation (DRF) have extended their partnership to strengthen the economic inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through skill development and employment opportunities across Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Delhi.
Under the renewed agreement, DRF will train and facilitate the placement of 1,250 Persons with Disabilities by March 2028. The programme will focus on individuals with locomotor disabilities, hearing impairment, dwarfism and cerebral palsy, equipping them with employability skills to improve access to mainstream jobs and financial independence.
The partnership builds on initiatives launched in November 2023, when Standard Chartered and DRF began a skill development programme for PwDs. The first phase trained more than 3,000 participants by December 2025, with around 70% securing mainstream employment.
In January 2026, the two organisations also introduced a self-employment initiative under which 1,900 Persons with Disabilities received financial support to establish or expand micro-enterprises. The programme aims to increase participants' monthly incomes by at least 50% and is scheduled to continue until September 2027.
According to the organisations, the combined initiatives under the partnership are expected to benefit more than 6,000 youth and Persons with Disabilities by March 2028.
The agreement was signed in the presence of P.D. Singh, CEO, India & South Asia, Standard Chartered, and K. Satish Reddy, Chairman, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Dr. Reddy’s Foundation.
Commenting on the renewed partnership, Karuna Bhatia, Head of Sustainability, India, Standard Chartered, said, “Our skill development programme is a youth economic empowerment initiative, tackling inequality and promoting greater economic inclusion. We truly believe that meaningful economic participation begins with access to opportunities. Our partnership with Dr. Reddy’s Foundation reflects our commitment to fostering an inclusive workforce and enabling persons with disabilities to build sustainable careers. By investing in skills development and employment pathways, we aim to help create a more equitable future where talent is recognised and nurtured irrespective of physical abilities.”
Shamik Trehan, CEO, Dr. Reddy’s Foundation, said, “Our partnership with Standard Chartered is central to our work in equipping persons with disabilities and youth from economically weaker sections with future-ready skills and competencies. Through this partnership, we enable them to secure formal sector employment and support self-employed PwDs in growing their businesses.”
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