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EDUCATION

FOR

CHANGE

Eklavya India Foundation empowers first-generation university students from historically marginalized communities – Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Nomadic and De-notified Tribes, and Other Backward Communities, representing over 1 billion people in India (12% of the world’s population).

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Eklavya

empowers next generation learners from marginalised communities

Check our programs

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Eklavya

has mentors and volunteers across india working with students

Our impact

We facilitate their successful career transitions by accessing world-class higher education, breaking the poverty cycle, and inspiring them to become community role models.

The Power of Higher Education

Since 2017, Eklavya India Foundation has implemented a proven strategy centered on awareness, exposure, mentoring, and coaching—complemented by relatable role models. Our impact is evident: over 700 workshops have reached half a million first-generation students.Our residential program has guided more than 2,000 students to gain admission to 90+ leading national and international universities many of them securing prestigious fellowships. Our 600 alumni, empowered with meaningful employment, now serve as role models and community inspirations.

Over the past eight years, we've dedicated approximately one million hours to mentorship and career guidance. Our students have received scholarships totaling more than 7 million USD from government programs, private trusts, and globally renowned institutions.

Our mission is empowering underrepresented Indian communities by dismantling education and career barriers, cultivating equitable leadership, fostering social mobility, and building a just society..

Problems

Marginalized communities are historically deprived of particularly higher education and its benefits.

According to NSSO 2014 data:

Enrollment in college education (18–21-year) for Dalits (Scheduled Caste) is 20.8%.
Enrollment in college education (18–21-year) for Adivasi (Scheduled Tribes) is 15.7%.
Enrollment in college education (18–21-year) for privileged forward castes is 39.5%.

In premier universities:

Out of 10 top universities in India, students from Dalit and Adivasi groups are underrepresented in 7 universities (a recent survey of the Department of Higher Education).

According to the recent Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (GMPI):

Among these groups, 33.3% of SC, 50.6% of ST, and 27.2% of OBC are living in multidimensional poverty.

Education is one of the three dimensions of GMPI where these communities are significantly lagging and which contributed to their poverty.

Our

Solutions

Initiatives to reduce inequality and enhance marginalized student participation in premier universities:

Equality in College admission

Establishment of Youth Resource Centers (YRCs) in underdeveloped districts.
Partnership with local organizations to operate YRCs.
Provision of information, mentoring, and coaching to students through YRCs.
Incubation of students in YRCs for preparation for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Support provided throughout students’ transition to higher education and career.

Democratization of access to quality higher education and leadership opportunities:

Targeting rural and tribal students for intervention.
Emphasis on providing information, coaching, and mentoring interventions.

The Impact !

In the last 8 years, our intervention enabled over 2000 first-generation students to attend 90+ top tier global universities and development fellowship programs.

*Some of the top tier universities and development fellowships where Eklavya students are admitted:

Testimonial

"I come from a community where girls get married in their teenage. Eklavya not only guided me but gave me confidence to study in prestigious institution like Fergusson College in Pune. I am the first woman in my village to travel to cities like Pune for education. With the continuous mentoring from Eklavya, I have recently achieved the spot at the Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University with a scholarship of 10 lakh rupees which is 10 times my family income. I am mentoring my younger sibling and other girls in the community to get higher education and gain meaningful jobs so that they won't get married early.”

"4 Years ago, one of my village friends suggested me to attend Eklavya’s workshop. At that time, I was engaged in wage work to support my family's livelihood. As a Dalit child, pursuing further education was discouraged. However, Eklavya's workshop became a turning point, igniting my confidence. With Eklavya's mentoring support, I gained admission to the esteemed TISS for a master's degree. I am proud to be the first Dalit student from our village to attend such a prestigious university. Today, I'm enjoying a stable income and am able to support my family and younger siblings in their career pursuits."

"I belong to a nomadic tribe community in Yavatmal. I learned about Eklavya’s foreign education program through social media. One of my close friends suggested to attend it, because I aspired for foreign education. At the boot camp, I met a bunch of mentors studying in premier universities abroad who inspired me and boosted my confidence to pursue studies in global universities. A year-long mentoring and coaching helped me in applying for the right course, university, scholarship applications, IELTS preparation, and immigration procedures. Today, I am the first student in my village to travel overseas."