SBI launches Youth for India Fellowship Program for Graduates, Know salary and how to apply

The SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank Group, has announced the opening of applications for the 12th Batch of its esteemed SBI Youth for India Fellowship program. This initiative aims to provide a structured opportunity for educated urban youth, aged between 21 to 32 years, to collaborate with rural communities and renowned NGOs across India. The program spans over 13 months and focuses on driving meaningful societal change. The SBI Youth for India program aims to bridge the gap between urban youth’s aspirations and the rural reality, empowering them to create transformative change in rural communities.

Eligibility and Application Process

The candidate must:

• be an Indian citizen, or a citizen of Nepal/Bhutan, or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
• be between 21 and 32 years of age on the day of commencement of the program, i.e., the candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August 1992 and not later than 1st October 2003.
• have completed at least a Bachelor’s degree before the commencement of the program. i.e the candidate must have completed their degree before 1st October 2024.
• Note to OCI Candidates: In case you don’t possess an OCI card currently, please visit the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India for OCI registration. As the process takes at least 1-3 months, we recommend that you apply for it as soon as you initiate your Fellowship application.

Salary & Allowances

• A monthly allowance of 15000 INR for the duration of the programme to meet your living expenses.
• A monthly allowance of 1000 INR for the duration of the programme to meet your transport expenses.
• A monthly allowance of 1000 INR for the duration of the programme to meet your project related expenses.
• A dedicated provision for language support will be provided at the location.
• A readjustment allowance of 70000 INR upon successful & satisfactory completion of the Fellowship.
• The cost of 3AC train fare from your residence to the project site location as well as expenses incurred on travelling for training programmes shall be covered.
• A health and personal accident insurance policy will also be provided.

Application Process

The Application Process for the 2024-25 batch is open now. You can apply for Stage-1 (Registration & Online Assessment.) using https://change.youthforindia.org. Notifications and announcements about the status of the applications shall be shared on our website and social media channels.

The 2-stage Application Process of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship is as follows:

• STAGE-1 (Registeration & Online Assessment)
  Fill out the Registeration from and begin your Online Assesment. During the assesment you will be asked to provide a detailed easy-based response in which you can share your story, perspectives, intention to join the Fellowship, and overall worldview.
• STAGE-2 (Personal Interview)
  The Personal Interview stage is where the esteemed panel evaluates the applicant’s personal characteristics and suitability for the role. This stage is designed to help the selection panel make informed decisions based on factors beyound academic qualifications and work experience and gain a deeper understanding of the person.

Thematic Areas

• The fellowship focuses on twelve thematic areas, including technology, women’s empowerment, self-governance, social entrepreneurship, environmental protection, traditional craft, health, rural livelihood, food security, education, water, and alternate energy.
• Fellows will choose one of these topics based on their interests and expertise.

Impact of the Program

• The SBI Youth for India program has positively impacted the lives of over 150,000 individuals in more than 250 villages spread across 20 Indian states.
• Over 580 graduates have been part of the program, with more than 100 pursuing postgraduate degrees in fields related to development and approximately 70% starting careers in the social sector, such as rural development, public policy/government, and academia.