70440 59893 / 91471 08249
Why ON Changemakers
Across India, farmer producer companies, startups and social enterprises and entrepreneurs are ready to grow. What they need most are people who can join them and take their innovations and business forward: people who can manage teams, solve problems on the ground, and turn good ideas and technologies into working businesses.
At the same time, thousands of talented young people finish their studies wanting more than a job title. They want work that matters.
ON Changemakers brings the two together. We find young people with leadership, drive and purpose, train them in the field, and place them where they can make the biggest difference.
This is not a fellowship you add to your CV. It’s the start of a career in impact.
Who we are
SwitchON Foundation works to build a just and sustainable future for India. For over 18 years, we have worked with farmers, communities, entrepreneurs and governments to strengthen livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, clean energy and enterprise development.
Through the Greenovation Accelerator our work includes accelerating startups and farmer producer organisations so they become strong, profitable businesses owned by farmers.
Two years that launch a career in impact
An intensive, in person, residential program in Kolkata or other cities, villages in West Bengal. You work on the ground with startups, farmer groups, producer companies and social enterprises from Monday to Friday, and dedicate Saturdays to structured learning and assignments. You receive a stipend of ₹40,000 per month throughout.
You get the opportunity to take on a managing role at an accelerator, incubator, farmer producer company or startup, anywhere in India. This is where your training turns into real responsibility: running projects, programs, managing teams and growing enterprises. You are paid a salary based on your role and responsibilities.
By the end of two years, you won’t just understand social business. You’ll have run one and ready to take on management and leadership roles in them.
Your idea is your application
The Social Business Idea Challenge is how we select ON Changemakers. You share an idea for a business that solves a real social or environmental problem, and you tell us about yourself.
The best top 10 ideas share a prize pool of ₹1 lakh. Prizes are awarded only to selected applicants who join the ON Changemakers program.
You will not be implementing this idea during the program. The idea helps us understand how you think, how you communicate, and how you approach problems. We care about the thinking behind your idea as much as the idea itself.
Selection process
ON Changemakers has a rigorous selection process. We take it seriously because we’re investing in you.
Submit your idea and tell us about your leadership, achievements, skills and goals.
Shortlisted applicants go through three to four rounds of training, followed by assignments and assessments.
Interviews and group discussions with our team.
| Round 1 | Round 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Applications close | 30th November 2026 | 15th January 2027 |
| Training and assignments | December to January | January to February |
| Final selection | January | [February / March] |
| Program starts | 1st April intake | 1st July intake |
Applicants selected early in Round 1 may be offered an earlier start date.
Other ways to join
Apply for a paid internship with SwitchON Foundation and get early experience in social business.
Apply for internshipOur Founders Bootcamp offers focused support to help you grow.
Apply for bootcampWho we’re looking for
We’re looking for young people who have already shown that they lead, achieve and care.
You’ve taken responsibility before, in your school, college, a sports team, a club, a community initiative, an event or anything else. You’ve brought people together and made things happen.
You’ve excelled, whether in academics, sports, arts, debate, music, entrepreneurship or another field, at district, state, national or international level.
You bring at least one strong skill, such as communication, AI and technology, data, design, finance, research or storytelling.
You want to work in the social and sustainability sector. You’re ready to step off the typical corporate ladder for something more meaningful, and you’re willing to dedicate your time and energy to it.
You see problems as opportunities. You’re curious, resourceful and comfortable with uncertainty.
You’re willing to relocate to Kolkata and spend time in rural West Bengal for six months, and you’re open to where your placement takes you afterwards.
Final year master’s students and those who have completed a master’s degree or young professionals. Students with a bachelors degree can apply for internships here.
The first six months
Online orientation sessions prepare you for the field and introduce you to your cohort.
You work on the ground with farmer groups, producer companies and social enterprises, rotating across sites and working on live programs.
Organised sessions, assignments and self learning.
It is demanding, and it is meant to be. By the end, you’ll understand how social businesses really work, because you’ll have worked inside them.
What the 18 months give you
You’ll be paid a salary in line with your role and responsibilities as you manage projects, initiatives or functions at an accelerator, incubator, FPC or startup.
Roles are matched to your skills, background, interests and location preferences, anywhere in India.
You stay part of the ON Changemakers network, with mentorship from SwitchON and practitioners across the sector.
You grow alongside a cohort of changemakers facing the same challenges in different places.
You build experience that most professionals take far longer to gain: managing enterprises on the ground, working with communities, and solving real problems.
After 18 months, changemakers can continue in their organisations, take on larger roles with SwitchON and partner enterprises, or move towards building ventures of their own.
Supporting early stage social businesses to grow.
Helping new ventures take shape.
Managing operations, markets and member services for farmer owned businesses.
Leading functions in mission driven companies.
FAQ
What is ON Changemakers?
A 6 + 18 month program by SwitchON Foundation. You spend six months in paid, in person field training in West Bengal, followed by 18 months managing projects and initiatives at an accelerator, incubator, farmer producer company or startup.
How long is the commitment?
Two years in total: six months of training and 18 months of managing experience.
Is this a fellowship?
It shares some features with a fellowship, but it’s built differently. It’s more hands on, you work inside real enterprises from the start, and it leads directly into a salaried managing role.
Where is the program based?
The six months take place in Kolkata and rural West Bengal, with online sessions beforehand. The 18 month placement can be anywhere in India.
Will I have to live in a rural area?
Yes. Field work in rural West Bengal is a core part of the six months.
What does a typical week look like?
Monday to Friday is intensive field work. Saturdays are dedicated to learning through sessions, assignments and self learning.
When does the program start?
There are two intakes each year, in April and July.
Is the program paid?
Yes. During the six months, every changemaker receives a stipend of ₹40,000 per month, plus additional support towards accommodation. Travel is reimbursed as per program policy.
Is the 18 month placement paid?
Yes. You receive a salary based on your role and responsibilities in your host organisation.
Do I need to pay any fee?
No. There is no fee to apply or to join.
What will I do during the 18 months?
You’ll take on a managing role, running projects, initiatives or functions in your host organisation.
Where will I be placed?
Anywhere in India. We’ll ask about your location preferences and try to match them, but flexibility helps.
How are placements decided?
Through a matching process based on your skills, background, interests and preferences. [Confirm whether placement is guaranteed.]
Can I leave after the first six months?
[Confirm policy.]
Who can apply?
Final year master’s students and master’s graduates.
I’m a bachelor’s or first year master’s student. Can I apply?
You can apply for our paid internship instead.
What kind of experience are you looking for?
Leadership experience in any area, achievements in academics, sports, arts or other fields, at least one strong skill, and a genuine commitment to working in the social and sustainability sector.
Do I need a background in agriculture or business?
No. We welcome candidates from management, agriculture, engineering, social sciences and other fields.
Do I have to implement my idea in the program?
No. Your idea is how we understand your thinking. During the program, you’ll work on existing enterprises and initiatives.
Can I apply only for the prize money?
No. The challenge is the selection route into ON Changemakers. Prizes are awarded only to selected applicants who join the program.
How rigorous is the selection?
Very. After the application, shortlisted candidates complete trainings, assignments, assessments, interviews and group discussions.
When should I apply?
Round 1 closes on [November date] for the April intake. Round 2 closes on [January date] for the July intake. Applying early gives you more time and an earlier start.
In every part of our work, we see the same gap. Enterprises are ready to grow, but they need skilled, committed people to lead them. ON Changemakers is our answer: a pipeline of young leaders trained in the field and ready to manage the enterprises that will shape rural India’s future.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email changemakers@switchon.org.in or call 70440 59893 / 91471 08249.
The change you want to see needs people like you.
Applications for Round 1 close on [date].