SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of State Bank of India, has announced the opening of registrations for the 14th edition of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship, a 13-month rural development programme aimed at young individuals interested in grassroots social impact.
The fellowship invites graduates and young professionals aged between 21 and 32 years to work closely with rural communities across India in collaboration with partner non-governmental organisations. Applications are open to citizens of India, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, and employees of the State Bank of India.
According to the foundation, the fellowship provides participants with an opportunity to live and work in rural areas while contributing to development initiatives across several thematic sectors.
Emphasising the fellowship’s significance, Swapan Dhar, Managing Director and CEO of SBI Foundation, said the programme aims to nurture changemakers who can bridge urban and rural divides through collaboration and empathy. He noted that the fellowship aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and helps develop inclusive leadership while addressing grassroots challenges.
Over the past 14 years, the fellowship has built a network of more than 700 alumni who have worked with 15 partner NGOs in over 250 villages across 22 states and Union Territories. The current 13th batch, running during 2025–26, includes 94 fellows working on various community initiatives.
The fellowship focuses on 12 thematic areas, including health, education, rural livelihoods, food security, environmental protection, water management, technology, women’s empowerment, self-governance, social entrepreneurship, traditional crafts and alternative energy.
Since its inception in 2011, the programme has supported numerous grassroots projects and community initiatives, positively impacting more than two lakh lives. Applications for the new batch can be submitted online through the official fellowship portal.
