From Digital Skills to Meaningful Employment! Digital skilling creates lasting impact when it opens doors to employment, financial independence, and new possibilities for young people. As part of the DAKSH—Digital Skilling for Youth Project, 61 beneficiaries participated in a recruitment fair facilitated by the Hazira—AM/NS Centre, creating opportunities to translate their skills into career pathways. 32 beneficiaries have been selected so far—an important milestone in their journey towards employment, economic independence, and a more secure future. Through @AMNSIndia CSR initiative ''DAKSH'—Digital Skilling for Youth Project, Nasscom Foundation, in association with GRAStech, is helping young people turn their skills into career opportunities. #NasscomFoundation #AMNSIndia #DAKSH #DigitalSkilling #YouthEmployability #SkillDevelopment #EmploymentOpportunities

A first job. A new venture. Greater confidence to decide what comes next. The journey after skilling can look different for every young woman. As Digital Accelerator for HER enters its fourth year, three program alumnae - Aishwarya Raut, Arpita Singh, and Deepika Baikar - returned to share their experiences and reflect on where their journeys have taken them since joining the program. For Aishwarya, that journey has led towards entrepreneurship. After witnessing young women build confidence through the program, she shared that she has since started her own venture, AI Route, inspired by the ideas of strength, knowledge, and wisdom. Arpita joined her fellow alumnae to look back at the experience and share her perspective with young women now beginning their own journeys through the program. For Deepika, the training strengthened skills in data analytics, Python, Excel, and SQL, alongside important soft skills. She subsequently secured her first job and spoke about the confidence she developed along the way, confidence that was also visible as she stood before a room of young women and dignitaries and shared her story. Their journeys are different, and that is precisely the point. Meaningful skilling is not about creating one predetermined outcome. It is about helping young women build the capabilities, exposure, and self-belief to pursue opportunities that are right for them, whether that means entering the workforce, exploring entrepreneurship, or taking another step toward their aspirations. Through Digital Accelerator for HER, Nasscom Foundation and BNP Paribas India Foundation continue to support young women with the technical skills, professional readiness, and confidence needed to participate more meaningfully in the digital economy. #NasscomFoundation #BNPParibasIndiaFoundation #DigitalAcceleratorForHER #WomenInTech #DigitalSkills #YouthSkilling #Employability #WomenEntrepreneurs #CareerReadiness

At the TOI Social Impact Summit 2026, we ask the most important question of our time — How do we ensure technology empowers everyone, not just a few? Join us for a powerful panel: Architecting Inclusive Futures: Navigating the Intersection of Tech, AI and Social ESG Pillars From bridging the digital divide to eliminating algorithmic bias, from building accessible solutions to making AI culturally rooted — this session will explore how ESG must lead our Tech & AI revolution. Because the future of tech must be human-centric, equitable and responsible. Date - 3rd & 4th September 2026,Mumbai Time - 10:30 AM onwards TOI Social Impact Summit 2026 Presented by @Malabartweets , The Responsible Jeweller Powered by Reliance Foundation @DoegarAniket #TOISocialImpactSummit #TOISocialImpactSummit2026 #InclusiveFutures #TechForGood #AIForAll #ESG #SocialImpact #DigitalInclusion #ResponsibleAI #TheTimesOfIndia

For Sushmita Pandey, a B.Tech graduate, ambition was never missing. What she needed was access to the right kind of support. Hailing from a middle-class family, Sushmita grew up with a strong sense of self-reliance. But when it came to entering the corporate world, the road ahead felt uncertain. Her family was supportive, but limited finances, low confidence in communication, and a lack of industry exposure made her career aspirations feel out of reach. However, Sushmita was determined to build a future in the IT industry. Her journey changed when she joined the Employability and Technical Training Program, an initiative under @Capgemini and @nasscomfdn. The program helped her build a practical understanding of IT fundamentals, MS Office, workplace etiquette, communication, and interview preparation. With each session, Sushmita became more prepared and gained immense confidence. The training gave her a clearer understanding of workplace expectations and helped her move beyond the hesitation that had held her back. It showed her that confidence can be built through practice and guidance. Today, Sushmita began her professional journey as a Data Mining Executive Intern at @Diiplnetwork (DIIPL) in Noida. The placement has brought much more than income. It has given her confidence in her abilities and a sense of independence that many young people seek at the start of their careers. Sushmita’s story is about the quiet courage of choosing growth, even when the path is not easy. hashtag#SkillDevelopment hashtag#Employability hashtag#YouthEmpowerment hashtag#CareerJourney hashtag#WomenInTech hashtag#WomenInTechnology hashtag#DigitalSkills hashtag#ITSkills hashtag#CareerGrowth hashtag#FutureReady hashtag#WorkforceDevelopment hashtag#YouthSkilling hashtag#TechForGood hashtag#Capgemini hashtag#NasscomFoundation hashtag#ImpactStory hashtag#SuccessStory hashtag#EmpoweringYouth hashtag#BridgingTheSkillsGap hashtag#CareerOpportunities

For 22-year-old Manvendra Yadav from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, ambition was never the problem. Access was. From a financially constrained family, Manvendra wanted to build a career in technology, but quality training, industry exposure, and career guidance weren't always easy to access. Before joining the program, he also struggled to find stable employment and trust his technical abilities. His journey began to change when he joined the AI for Skilling Program by Nasscom Foundation, supported by NetApp. Through the program, Manvendra gained hands-on exposure to Artificial Intelligence, worked on real-world projects, and received continuous mentorship. Along the way, he strengthened his technical, communication, and problem-solving skills, and gradually built the confidence to see himself as industry-ready. That confidence led to an important milestone: Manvendra secured an opportunity as an MTS/IT Intern at NetApp India Private Limited. For him, it was more than an internship. It became a turning point for his career, his family, and his belief in what he could become. “This program enhanced my skills, confidence, and career opportunities. It has been a turning point in my journey.” Manvendra’s story reflects the quiet strength of young people who keep moving forward, even when opportunity does not come easily. #NasscomFoundation #NetApp #AIForSkilling #YouthSkilling #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalSkills #CareerReadiness #SkillDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #FutureOfWork #TechCareers #IndustryReadiness #TechForGood

For years, Pranav Kumar was often told to try harder. But effort was never really the problem. Living with dyslexia and CPTSD, the 32-year-old from Bengaluru had often found himself in learning environments that did not fully understand what he needed to thrive. Then, through Nasscom Foundation’s Data Annotation and GenAI Skilling for Neurodivergent Young Adults programme, supported by HSBC and implemented by Orchvate, Pranav found what he would later describe as a “lighthouse.” Twice-weekly virtual classes, assignments and patient guidance gave him the structure to learn at a pace that felt manageable. Alongside strengthening his Data Annotation and GenAI skills, he became more comfortable expressing his needs, seeking assistance and advocating for himself. His family began noticing the difference too: greater self-reliance, a stronger belief in himself and increasing openness towards employment. That change has now reached an important milestone: Pranav has secured a six-month internship, creating a tangible bridge between the skills he has developed and his entry into the world of work. For Pranav, this experience has been about far more than acquiring technical knowledge. It has meant finding a rhythm again, recognising what he can contribute and taking a meaningful step towards employment with a renewed sense of possibility. Inclusion becomes meaningful when people are not simply expected to fit into existing systems, but are given an environment where different ways of learning are understood and where their abilities have the space to grow. #NasscomFoundation #HSBC #Orchvate #Neurodiversity #Neuroinclusion #InclusiveSkilling #GenAI #DigitalSkills #CareerReadiness #FutureOfWork #SkillsForAll #TechForGood

This Raksha Bandhan, Chhanda Dutta from Bankura, West Bengal, is adding a new creation to the craft she has nurtured for the past three years: handmade rakhis. Chhanda has traditionally worked with terracotta and Kantha stitch. As part of Nasscom Foundation’s Upskilling Women Entrepreneurs and enhance their Participation in the digital economy program, supported by HSBC EDP, she began exploring new skills and creative possibilities. She learned crochet and started using platforms like Pinterest to discover designs and ideas she could adapt into her own customised products. This festive season, that mix of craft, new learning, and digital inspiration has come together as handmade rakhis. #NasscomFoundation #HSBCEDP #RakshaBandhan #Rakhi #WomenEntrepreneurs #DigitalEmpowerment #HandmadeRakhi #Kantha #Artisans #Bankura #WestBengal #TechForGood

A classroom can build knowledge. A conversation with someone from the industry can help students see where that knowledge might take them. Students from the Optum Scholarship Program met Aditya Bhatia, Principal Consultant at the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), during their visit to the Nasscom Foundation office in Noida. With his experience across cybersecurity, data protection, and public policy outreach, the interaction brought students closer to the realities of an evolving technology landscape. It gave them space to listen, engage, and ask questions. These moments of exposure can help young people connect learning with possibility and view the professional world with greater awareness and confidence. Through this program, Nasscom Foundation brings learning, mentoring, and industry exposure closer to students as they prepare for what comes next. #NasscomFoundation #Optum #OptumScholarshipProgram #DSCI #Cybersecurity #CareerReadiness #IndustryExposure #Mentorship #YouthSkilling #FutureReady #TechForGood

For a small entrepreneur, earning an income is only one part of building a stronger business. Understanding where that income comes from, what it costs to run the enterprise, and what remains as profit can shape the next decisions. In Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, women entrepreneurs engaged in handicrafts, handmade wire products, livestock and goat rearing, and other livelihood activities are taking that next step in their entrepreneurial journeys. Through a Nasscom Foundation initiative in partnership with HSBC EDP, the women are strengthening their ability to track monthly income, understand revenue and expenses, calculate profits, and gain a clearer picture of how their enterprises are performing. As the project enters its third year, the focus is increasingly on supporting income growth. This makes financial awareness especially important, helping women see their enterprises not only as sources of livelihood, but as businesses they can understand, plan, and strengthen over time. Digital capabilities are becoming part of this journey too. Exposure to tools and platforms such as UPI and Instagram is helping participants become more comfortable with digital payments and explore new ways to support their businesses. From creating products and managing livestock to understanding finances and adopting digital tools, these women are steadily building the capabilities to engage with their enterprises with greater awareness and confidence. Stronger businesses begin when entrepreneurs understand their numbers, use the right tools, and make informed choices about what comes next. #NasscomFoundation #HSBCEDP #WomenEntrepreneurs #FinancialLiteracy #DigitalEmpowerment #WomenEmpowerment #Livelihoods #RuralEntrepreneurship #DigitalSkills #Thiruvallur #TamilNadu #TechForGood

Innovation matters when it moves beyond ideas and starts responding to real-world problems. At TechForChange - Cohort 4: InnovateX 2026, Vitasta Tiwari, Lead, Innovation, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, joined us as a speaker and shared her perspective on the growing role of young innovators in building solutions that are relevant, purposeful, and rooted in real needs. Her address reinforced an idea at the heart of InnovateX2026: young people can look beyond conventional pathways, question existing challenges, and use technology to create solutions that make a difference. This initiative continues to nurture this spirit of curiosity, problem-solving, and purpose, creating a platform where young innovators can learn, build, receive guidance, and take their ideas further. TechForChange - Cohort 4: InnovateX 2026 A CSR initiative supported by Ciena Through Nasscom Foundation, the programme continues to create opportunities for young people to turn ideas into technology-led solutions for social good. #TechForChange #InnovateX2026 #NasscomFoundation #Ciena #AtalInnovationMission #NITIAayog #YouthInnovation #TechForGood

Different countries. Different experiences. One shared commitment to creating meaningful change. At our Bengaluru office, we welcomed young changemakers from six countries for an interactive session with @MFGlobalCitizen and the Batonga Foundation. From conversations around Digital Literacy and Digital & Financial Inclusion to our work with Women Entrepreneurs, the exchange brought together perspectives on how access to the right skills, tools, and opportunities can help individuals and communities move forward. It was also a space to listen and learn, exchange experiences, understand different country contexts, and explore how locally grounded approaches can inspire wider possibilities. Some of the strongest ideas emerge when people come together, share what they have learned, and discover what they can build on together. Global perspectives. Shared purpose. Local impact. #NasscomFoundation #TechForGood #DigitalLiteracy #WomenEntrepreneurship #DigitalInclusion #GlobalCitizensConnect #SocialImpact

Every idea grows stronger when you question, challenge, and guide it. At TechForChange - Cohort 4: Innovate X 2026, young innovators stepped forward with technology-led solutions shaped around real-world challenges. As part of the jury, Deepak Boora from the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) engaged with the students, listened to their ideas, and shared perspectives to help them think further about the potential of their solutions. These interactions are an important part of the Innovate X journey - bringing student innovators, mentors, and industry experts together so that early ideas can evolve with greater clarity, relevance, and purpose. Innovation isn't just about having an idea; it is about having the right ecosystem to strengthen it and bring it closer to meaningful impact. Nasscom Foundation, in collaboration with Ciena, is enabling young innovators to use technology as a force for social good. #TechForChange #InnovateX2026 #NasscomFoundation #Ciena #DSCI #YouthInnovation #TechForGood

Every woman has a story. Some begin with a dream, some with a challenge, but with the right opportunity, they can become stories of transformation. Through the L&T Technology Services and Nasscom Foundation program in North East India, women are being supported with the skills, digital tools, and guidance needed to take their entrepreneurial journeys forward. From building confidence to strengthening livelihoods, these women are showing what is possible when determination meets opportunity. Empowering women isn’t just about creating change today; it’s about inspiring a stronger tomorrow. #LTTS #NasscomFoundation #WomenEmpowerment #WomenEntrepreneurs #NortheastIndia #Entrepreneurship #DigitalInclusion #WomenInBusiness #CommunityImpact #EmpoweringWomen

Sometimes, growing a business begins with gaining the confidence and tools to take the next step. For Mogili Bhoolaxmi, a home-made food entrepreneur from Suryapet, Telangana, the challenge was not a lack of skill or determination. Her business remained largely informal, with limited branding and packaging, little exposure to digital tools, billing challenges, and no online marketing. Through a Nasscom Foundation initiative, supported by HSBC EDP, Bhoolaxmi received training and continued handholding in formalising business, food safety, branding, digital billing, Canva, and online sales. Today, her home-made food business is growing into a formally recognised enterprise, with better customer trust, stronger digital adoption, and expanding market reach. More than a business, she is building confidence, independence and a sustainable livelihood. Because when the right support meets determination, opportunity can travel much further. #NasscomFoundation #HSBC #WomenEntrepreneurs #DigitalEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship #Livelihoods #TechForGood

At TechForChange -Cohort 4: Innovate X 2026, Arvind Thakur, Trustee, Nasscom Foundation, shared an important perspective on what it truly takes to create meaningful solutions. From asking the right questions to challenging our own assumptions, he emphasised that deep problem understanding is the foundation of impactful innovation. He also highlighted the role of technology as a catalyst for solving complex social challenges and the power of the Ciena & Nasscom Foundation partnership in nurturing a generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs. Because real change begins with asking the right questions. #TechForChange #InnovateX2026 #Ciena #NasscomFoundation #SocialInnovation #TechForGood #Entrepreneurship #InnovationForImpact #CSR #SocialEntrepreneurs

A stronger learning environment is built not only through what happens inside a classroom, but also through the spaces, tools, and opportunities available to students every day. At Kadaperi Government Adi Dravidar Middle School, a series of development works, including the installation of two smart boards, was inaugurated to strengthen the school’s educational and physical infrastructure. The day also brought students together for sports competitions, adding energy and participation to the occasion. The programme was held in the presence of Hon’ble Mayor Mrs. Vasanthakumari Kamalakannan, Deputy Mayor Mr. G. Kamaraj, Mr. Alex Paul Menon, IAS, Development Commissioner, MEPZ Special Economic Zone, and the Deputy Commissioner of Tambaram City Municipal Corporation. The school’s development has been supported through CSR contributions from MEPZ-SEZ, MEPZMA, BNY, Nasscom Foundation, and National Agro, alongside the efforts of municipal officials, teachers, and the wider school community. Meaningful support for education is also about creating environments where students have better tools, stronger spaces, and more opportunities to learn and grow. #NasscomFoundation #BNY #Education #DigitalLearning #SchoolInfrastructure #CSR #TechForGood

How do you go from digital literacy to digital inclusion and genuine opportunity? It is a question that found concrete answers at the Government Adi Dravidar High School in Tambaram, Chennai, during the inauguration of its new digital classrooms, an initiative powered by Nasscom Foundation and BNY India. The school, currently in its centenary year, serves a diverse student body, including children of migrant workers, standing as a model for community-driven educational reform. During the inauguration, we spoke with key stakeholders working at the intersection of local governance, policy, and corporate social responsibility to understand how technology infrastructure translates into long-term social mobility: * Vasanthakumari Kamalakannan, Mayor, Tambaram * Alex Paul Menon, Development Commissioner, MEPZ * Jyoti Sharma, CEO, NASSCOM Foundation * Vishwanathan Gopalan, CFO, BNY India From expanding student enrollment through grassroots outreach to aligning corporate CSR with long-term public school infrastructure (Namma School Namma Ooru Palli), the consensus is clear: equity begins when digital access becomes a bridge to future opportunity. Here is a look at the conversation on the ground. #DigitalClassrooms #DigitalInclusion #NasscomFoundation #BNYIndia #Education #PublicPolicy #Chennai #SocialImpact #TamilNadu

This International Youth Day, we decided to do something a little differently. Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation, went to one of our skilling centres in Noida to listen to learners and hear first-hand accounts of ambition, confidence, and a world of work being reshaped by AI. One learner spoke about building a career in IT. Another shared how practical training had helped bridge the gap between college learning and employer expectations. Someone else spoke about becoming financially independent. And one young student was already imagining a future where he builds his own startup. There were conversations about Python, Data Science, communication skills, practical learning, and, of course, AI. But beneath all of them was something even more powerful: young people who are thinking seriously about where they want to go and what they need to learn to get there. One thought stood out clearly: AI does not have to be something to fear. Understanding how it works, strengthening the fundamentals, and continuing to learn can turn it into an opportunity. For us at Nasscom Foundation, this is what skilling is ultimately about. Not simply completing a course, but helping young people build the skills, confidence, and agency to navigate a changing world of work and move closer to the futures they imagine for themselves. #InternationalYouthDay #NasscomFoundation #YouthSkilling #FutureOfWork #AISkills #DigitalSkills #TechForGood #FutureReadyYouth

On International Youth Day, it feels especially meaningful to celebrate the people who help young innovators look beyond the idea and think about what it will take to create real-world impact. At TechForChange- Cohort 4: Innovate X 2026, Himanshu Joshi, Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission, brought that perspective to the jury, engaging participating teams with questions around relevance, scale, and the journey from innovation to impact. For young innovators, that kind of engagement matters. A strong idea is only the beginning. The right questions, mentorship and ecosystem support can help sharpen thinking, strengthen solutions and open up new possibilities. For Nasscom Foundation, creating these spaces is about giving young people more than a platform to present. It is about helping them learn, challenge their own thinking, and take their ideas further. And on International Youth Day, that feels like an important reminder: when young minds are given the right support, their ideas can go a long way. TechForChange- Cohort 4: Innovate X 2026 A CSR initiative supported by Ciena #InternationalYouthDay #InnovateX #NasscomFoundation #Ciena #AtalInnovationMission #YouthInnovation #Entrepreneurship #TechForGood #InnovationForImpact

Different problems. Different ideas. One generation ready to rethink what is possible. From agriculture and fashion to healthcare and sustainable products, Jyoti Sharma, CEO, Nasscom Foundation, was struck by the diversity and depth of thinking demonstrated by young innovators at Techforchange- Cohort 4: Innovate X 2026. For her, the next step is just as important: taking opportunities like these to more students, more universities,s and especially to young innovators across Tier 2 and Tier 3 India. When young minds are given the space, support, and confidence to experiment, the impact can extend far beyond a single idea or event. Bigger. Bolder. Reaching many more young innovators. Techforchange- Cohort 4: Innovate X 2026 A CSR initiative supported by Ciena #NasscomFoundation #InnovateX2026 #YouthInnovation #TechForGood #YoungInnovators #CSR #InnovationForImpact