The Apply for Youth for India Fellowship Officially is a prestigious 13-month rural development fellowship designed to empower young graduates to make a meaningful impact in grassroots India. Organized by the SBI Foundation, this programme places passionate youth alongside experienced partner NGOs to co-create solutions in rural communities.

What Is the Youth for India Fellowship?

The SBI Youth for India Fellowship is a structured programme that gives young citizens an immersive experience of working on real-world social challenges in rural India. Fellows live in village locations and work closely with local stakeholders and NGOs to implement development projects across themes like education, health, livelihoods, environment, and governance.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Fellowship, candidates must meet key requirements:

• Education – Completed (or on track to complete) a Bachelor’s degree by the specified deadline (before October of the programme year).

• Age – Between 21 and 32 years at the start of the programme.

• Nationality – Indian citizens, citizens of Nepal or Bhutan, and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)/NRI are eligible.

This diversity encourages applicants from across nations in the South Asian region.

 How the Application Works

The selection process typically has two key stages:

1. Online Registration & Assessment – You need to register via the official application portal and complete an online assessment with questions about your motivations and worldview.

2. Interview & Selection – Shortlisted candidates are invited for a group exercise and personal interaction to evaluate fit, leadership potential, and commitment to social impact.

Selected fellows are informed on a rolling basis and guided into the onboarding phase with mentorship and support.

Fellowship Support & Benefits

The programme offers financial and logistical support to ensure you can focus fully on your village engagement:

• Monthly living stipend to cover daily expenses

• Transport and project allowance

• Language support where needed

• A readjustment allowance after successful completion

• Return travel fare to your site location

• Health & accident insurance

• Mentorship & ongoing support from the YFI team

Alongside financial support, Fellows receive rich learning experiences through exposure to grassroots challenges and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Why Join This Fellowship?

The fellowship offers more than just field exposure:

• Develop deep understanding of rural India’s challenges

• Build practical skills in community engagement, leadership, and project design

• Become part of a growing alumni network driving development initiatives across India

• Open career pathways in social sector roles, policy, entrepreneurship, and research

It’s ideal for young professionals, recent graduates, or anyone passionate about making a meaningful difference beyond conventional job roles.

Important Notes

• The 2026–27 batch applications are currently open on the official portal.

• Deadlines and eligibility timelines are updated each year, so always check the official site before applying.

• This fellowship is not a typical internship; it’s a full-time, immersive engagement requiring commitment and readiness to adapt to rural living conditions.