Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited

Over 2,000 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) received sector-specific skill training through collaborations with multiple agencies. In FY 2023-24, nearly 1,500 PwDs secured placements, achieving financial independence, and 211 deaf youths were supported in pursuing higher education.

An AI-enabled job platform for PwDs, with over 1.64 lakh aspirants and 1,293 participating companies, facilitated more than 1,600 placements during the year. Additionally, an upgraded online resource platform for parents of children with special needs recorded over 2 lakh unique users in FY 2023-24.

Science programme - Using NCERT-aligned science content customized for UPSCERT, the program reached schools, benefiting students. Trained teachers, District Coordinators, and science mentors, tracking progress through the Skills to Proficiency (STP) metric. This CSR initiative uniquely integrates technology, gender equity, and capacity building within public school systems.

Improving Learning Outcomes in Schools - Focuses on improving learning outcomes through teacher empowerment, digital education, and addressing the educational needs of children in schools and communities. The organization works in areas such as school leadership, foundational literacy, numeracy, digital learning, teacher training, and communicative English. Introduced vernacular Science content to rural government schools and promoted ICT-based teaching through educator training. Its Girl Child Education project has supported the reintegration of girls into formal schooling. Additionally, it has supported early childhood education through Balwadis and Creches at construction sites and undertaken infrastructure improvements by renovating government schools and upgrading Anganwadis in various states.

Supporting Higher Education - Students were supported through scholarship programs. The Kotak Shiksha Nidhi initiative provides financial assistance to students who lost a primary earning member to COVID-19, while Kotak Kanya empowers meritorious girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve their career aspirations.

Skill Development - Multiple organizations were supported to deliver sector-specific skill development programs aimed at enhancing youth employability. Youths received training, with successfully securing placements with various organizations or starting their own entrepreneurial ventures.

Entrepreneurship - Entrepreneurship among women, including those from tier-2 and tier-3 cities in India, was actively promoted through the Women’s Startup Programme managed by IIM Bangalore. The initiative provided mentoring and advisory support to nurture women-led ventures.

Promoting rural livelihoods - Farmers benefited through initiatives focused on agriculture, livestock, and Non-Timber Forest Products to enhance incomes. In rural Maharashtra, 74 small enterprises received training and support, while women farmers in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, were trained in oilseed value addition. Additionally, community-managed institutions are being developed in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

Cancer Care - Interventions in cancer care focus on early detection, treatment support (including accommodation and nutrition), and hospice care.

Touch Freedom - The Touch Freedom program empowers individuals with spinal cord injuries to independently manage daily activities. The assessment identifies each participant's specific needs and goals, enabling the creation of personalized rehabilitation plans.

Improving access to healthcare - Affordable healthcare is provided to rural communities and low-income households through mobile medical vans, eye check-up camps, and oral cancer screenings. Beneficiaries received primary healthcare, and eye care services. Oral cancer screening camps were held at six markets and for police personnel in Mumbai. The organization also offered early interventions, rehabilitation, and mobility solutions for PwDs and supported the treatment of children with clubfoot in 45 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Improving healthcare infrastructure - The organization recognizes the importance of state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure for providing holistic and quality healthcare. It has supported organizations such as Ramakrishna Mission, Eastern India Heart Care and Research Foundation, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Hospital, and Shri Vithalrao Joshi Charities Trust (Walawalkar Hospital in Chiplun) in developing critical healthcare infrastructure.

The organization supports ecosystem restoration initiatives that replenish water, reduce carbon, and benefit communities. With a focus on biodiversity and improving livelihoods, it has undertaken projects in both rural and urban landscapes.

The organization partnered with the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Foundation to develop a world-class badminton training facility in Hyderabad. In FY 2023-24, it supported 30 athletes with training, nutrition, sports science, and mental and physical wellbeing services. Additionally, a partnership with the Inspire Institute of Sport led to the implementation of a boxing training program, supporting 100+ junior and elite boxers who won 90 medals in domestic and international competitions.