The National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), an entity under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, has collaborated with The/Nudge Institute, a non-profit organization based in Bangalore, to introduce the ‘Social Defence Fellowship.’ The initiative aims to leverage the expertise of seasoned private sector professionals alongside the vision of senior civil servants to uplift marginalized communities.
Following a rigorous selection process that attracted over 840 applications, five individuals were chosen as Social Defence Fellows. With an average of over 25 years of experience, these Fellows have spearheaded transformative initiatives across diverse sectors. Over the course of 18 months, they will work full-time within the government system, providing strategic guidance and implementation support. Their primary task will be to identify challenges and opportunities and develop project charters for their respective initiatives.
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, which plays a pivotal role in ensuring the welfare of marginalized and vulnerable sections of society, oversees this program. Each Fellow will collaborate closely with senior officials on key priority areas, including fostering entrepreneurship and innovation within marginalized communities, enhancing access to welfare schemes and services for specific groups, and promoting educational empowerment initiatives.