SBI Youth for India Fellowship 2026-27

The SBI Youth for India Fellowship is a 13-month rural development fellowship by SBI Foundation for graduates aged 21 to 32, offering a monthly allowance of Rs 16,000 and a Rs 1.10 lakh readjustment allowance on completion, and no application deadline is currently published because fresh applications are temporarily paused.

Overview

The SBI Youth for India Fellowship is a 13-month programme initiated by the State Bank of India and funded and managed by SBI Foundation, in partnership with reputed NGOs. Fellows live and work in rural communities on development projects. The fellowship is open to citizens of India, Nepal and Bhutan, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and NRIs who hold a bachelor's degree.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Scholarship name	SBI Youth for India Fellowship 2026-27
Academic year	2026-27
Scholarship provider	State Bank of India, funded and managed by SBI Foundation
Implementing partner	Partner NGOs across India
Scholarship amount	Rs 16,000 a month living allowance, plus travel, project and learning allowances and a Rs 1.10 lakh readjustment allowance on completion
Eligible students	Citizens of India, Nepal or Bhutan, OCI and NRI graduates aged 21 to 32
Eligible courses	Any bachelor's degree completed on or before 4 October 2026
Minimum academic requirement	Bachelor's degree. No minimum marks mentioned in the verified sources
Family income limit	Not specified in the verified sources
Application opening date	Not specified in the verified sources
Application deadline	Not specified in the verified sources. Fresh applications are temporarily paused
Application mode	Online
Official application link	https://register.youthforindia.org/
Last checked	21 October 2026

Key Highlights

• 13-month, full-time rural fellowship with partner NGOs.
• Monthly allowances of Rs 16,000 for living, Rs 2,000 for transport, Rs 2,000 for project expenses and Rs 1,000 for professional learning.
• One-time readjustment allowance of Rs 1,10,000 on successful and satisfactory completion.
• Return 3AC train fare, health and personal accident insurance, and language support.
• Two-stage selection: online assessment, then a personal interview.
• Projects across 22 states under a "no home state" placement policy.

Program Objectives

According to the official fellowship page, the programme aims to:

• Enable educated youth to create meaningful grassroots impact.
• Provide NGOs with skilled talent to drive rural development.
• Build an alumni network committed to long-term social change.

The fellowship covers 12 thematic areas, including education, health, rural livelihood, women's empowerment, water, food security, environmental protection and technology.

About the Sponsor and Partner

The fellowship is initiated by the State Bank of India and funded and managed by SBI Foundation. Fellows work with partner NGOs at rural project sites. The NGO staff at each site help fellows with language and cultural barriers.

Academic Eligibility

• You must hold a bachelor's degree completed on or before 4 October 2026.
• The verified sources do not name specific subjects, minimum marks or entrance exams.

Financial Eligibility

No family income limit is specified in the verified sources.

Social and Category Eligibility

• Age: You must be between 21 and 32 years on the day the programme begins. That means you must be born not earlier than 4 August 1994 and not later than 5 October 2005.
• No gender, category or disability restriction is specified in the verified sources.

Geographic Eligibility

You must be a citizen of India, a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) or an NRI.

Restrictions

• SBI employees can apply only if they are Confirmed Officers in Scale I or II.
• Fellows are placed at rural project sites under a "no home state" policy, so you will not be placed in your home state.

Renewal Criteria

This is a single 13-month fellowship. No renewal conditions are published.

Financial Assistance

• Rs 16,000 a month for living expenses.
• Rs 2,000 a month for transport.
• Rs 2,000 a month for project-related expenses.
• Rs 1,000 a month for professional learning and development.
• Rs 1,10,000 readjustment allowance, paid once on successful and satisfactory completion of the fellowship.

Additional Support

• Return 3AC train fare from your residence to the project site, and travel costs for training programmes.
• Air travel reimbursement for fellows from Nepal, Bhutan and OCI, within pre-approved limits.
• Health and personal accident insurance.
• Language support at the project location.
• Support and guidance from the SBI Youth for India team.
• Certificate of completion.

Award Conditions

The Rs 1,10,000 readjustment allowance is paid only on successful and satisfactory completion of the fellowship. Monthly allowances are paid for the duration of the programme.

Documents Required

The official pages reviewed do not publish a document checklist. Follow the instructions shown on the application portal and upload only what it asks for.

Steps to Apply

1. Check the application status on the official website at register.youthforindia.org. Fresh submissions are temporarily paused, and updates will be posted there.
2. Confirm that you meet the education, age and nationality conditions.
3. Stage 1: Register and complete the online assessment, which includes essay-based responses about your story, perspectives and motivation.
4. If shortlisted, submit essays, a short reflective video and additional supporting information when invited.
5. Stage 2: Attend the in-person selection round, which includes a personal interview.
6. If selected, accept the offer. Onboarding begins after you accept.

Selection Process

Selection has two stages. Stage 1 is registration and an online assessment. Stage 2 is an in-person selection round with a personal interview. The panel looks at personal attributes beyond academic and professional credentials. The programme says applications are reviewed against its values and selection criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the SBI Youth for India Fellowship?

Graduates who are citizens of India, Nepal or Bhutan, OCI or NRI, aged 21 to 32 on the day the programme begins, and who completed a bachelor's degree on or before 4 October 2026.

What is the stipend of the SBI Youth for India Fellowship?

The living allowance is Rs 16,000 a month. Fellows also receive Rs 2,000 for transport, Rs 2,000 for project expenses and Rs 1,000 for professional learning each month. A Rs 1,10,000 readjustment allowance is paid on successful and satisfactory completion.

What is the last date to apply?

No deadline is currently published. The official website says fresh applications are temporarily paused, so check register.youthforindia.org for updates.

What is the age limit?

You must be between 21 and 32 years on the day the programme begins. You should be born not earlier than 4 August 1994 and not later than 5 October 2005.

Which degree is needed?

You need a bachelor's degree completed on or before 4 October 2026. The verified sources do not name specific subjects or minimum marks.

Is there a family income limit?

No family income limit is specified in the verified sources.

How are fellows selected?

Through two stages. Stage 1 is registration and an online assessment. Stage 2 is an in-person selection round with a personal interview.

How long is the fellowship and where is it held?

The fellowship lasts 13 months. Fellows work at rural project sites across 22 states with partner NGOs. Under a "no home state" policy, you will not be placed in your home state.

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Sources and Last Checked

Details on this page were checked against the official SBI Youth for India Fellowship website: register.youthforindia.org and youthforindia.org/application.

Last checked: 21 October 2026

Fellowship dates and terms can change. Please confirm the latest status on the official website before you apply.