70% Job Placement Assurance for Trained Youth; Five More Districts to Be Covered Soon: Nusrat Pathan

Srinagar, November 2: HDFC Bank, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative Parivartan, has positively impacted 18,706 lives across Jammu and Kashmir, with interventions spanning rural development, education, skill development, livelihood enhancement, healthcare and hygiene, financial literacy and inclusion, and natural resource management.

Nusrat Pathan, Head CSR, HDFC Bank, while addressing a press briefing in Srinagar Monday, shared details of the Bank’s ongoing developmental initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. She said that HDFC Bank has been actively working in the Union Territory since 2014 and has established its presence in 15 out of 20 districts, including the two Aspirational Districts of Kupwara and Baramulla. The programme has also reached 16 border villages across these two districts.

During the question-and-answer session, Pathan informed that the Bank is providing a 70 per cent job placement assurance for youth undergoing skill development training under its employment-oriented initiatives. She further stated that five more districts would be brought under the programme shortly to extend skill development and employment opportunities to a wider section of the population.

Responding to a question regarding transparency and accountability, she said that the Bank has its own monitoring and research-based mechanism to assess the implementation and progress of projects. In addition, the initiatives are also monitored through third-party agencies. Information regarding the programme and its progress is also available on HDFC Bank’s official website.

Pathan said that the Parivartan programme follows a need-based approach, with interventions designed according to the specific requirements, challenges and development priorities of local communities.

Developmental Initiatives Across 15 Districts

According to the Bank, Parivartan is currently implementing programmes across Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Kishtwar, Kupwara, Pulwama, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Samba, Srinagar and Udhampur.

The Bank generally undertakes two types of interventions under the programme. The first is its flagship Holistic Rural Development Programme, which focuses on integrated interventions across multiple development areas. The second comprises Focused Development Programmes, which address one or two specific focus areas within targeted geographical locations.

Strengthening Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods

Under the rural development component, HDFC Bank Parivartan has supported 10,128 farmers through initiatives aimed at strengthening agriculture and rural livelihoods.

These interventions include the formation of farmer collectives, capacity-building programmes, access to shared agricultural machinery, processing and value-addition facilities, and solar-powered community infrastructure.

In Pampore, the programme is supporting saffron farmers through solar-powered water pumps and solar dryers, along with the development of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and market linkages. These initiatives aim to strengthen saffron cultivation, improve post-harvest practices and create better market opportunities for farmers associated with one of Kashmir’s most distinctive agricultural products.

The programme has also supported processing infrastructure for apples and walnuts, including solar dryers, grading and sorting lines, and other machinery. These facilities help farmers improve post-harvest management, preserve produce, add value to agricultural products and access markets beyond the sale of raw produce.

In Uri, farmers growing Kashmiri red chilli are being supported through polyhouse farming, drip irrigation and solar dryers. These interventions are aimed at improving cultivation and post-harvest handling while strengthening agricultural livelihoods in border communities.

Another important initiative is SAMARKASH, a shared brand established under the programme through which participating FPOs collectively market processed agricultural products. The initiative provides support in branding, packaging and market linkages, helping farmer-led enterprises improve product quality and market readiness.

Promoting Education and Skill Development

In the education sector, the Bank has awarded 901 scholarships under its Educational Crisis Scholarship Support (ECSS) programme and established 60 smart schools across Jammu and Kashmir.

Through digital classrooms, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources and improvements in school infrastructure, approximately 15,000 students have been positively impacted.

Under the skill development and livelihood enhancement component, 1,057 youth and individuals have received training, while 189 women have been supported through various livelihood and economic participation initiatives.

These programmes focus on improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening traditional livelihood value chains and creating opportunities for women through artisan and craft-based activities.

Healthcare, Hygiene and Natural Resource Management

Under the healthcare and hygiene component, the Bank is implementing community-focused initiatives to improve access to essential services, promote awareness and support underserved communities.

The programme has also supported the establishment of a waste management system for an Urban Local Body.

In the area of natural resource management and clean energy, 104 villages have been supported through initiatives such as solar-powered systems and community lighting facilities. These interventions aim to improve energy access, strengthen village-level infrastructure and enhance community resilience.

Financial Literacy and Fraud Awareness

Under its Financial Literacy and Inclusion initiatives, HDFC Bank is conducting awareness campaigns to educate people about financial fraud and the safe use of banking services.

The Bank’s financial fraud awareness initiative, including its flagship campaign ‘Vigil Aunty’, has reached more than 1.72 lakh people across Jammu and Kashmir.

The campaign promotes awareness about financial security and encourages safer participation in formal and digital financial services.

Nusrat Pathan Highlights Bank’s Community-Centred Approach

Speaking about the Bank’s CSR philosophy, Nusrat Pathan, Head CSR, HDFC Bank, said that CSR is not a one-size-fits-all approach and that Parivartan designs and implements need-based interventions in response to the unique challenges of different regions.

She said that the Bank’s work in Jammu and Kashmir reflects this approach, ranging from supporting farmers through sustainable agricultural practices to strengthening education, skill development and infrastructure.

She further reiterated the Bank’s commitment to contributing towards inclusive growth and creating a lasting impact at the grassroots level.

Dinesh Luthra, Branch Banking Head, HDFC Bank, said that the Bank is committed to providing a comprehensive range of banking services across Jammu and Kashmir while ensuring accessibility for all sections of society.

He added that, as a socially responsible corporate citizen, HDFC Bank is equally focused on bringing meaningful change to the lives of individuals and families.

HDFC Bank Spends ₹1,316 Crore on CSR Initiatives Nationwide

HDFC Bank was among the leading CSR spenders in India for the financial year ending March 2026.

As of March 31, 2026, the Bank had spent ₹1,316 crore on CSR initiatives across the country. Through its flagship Parivartan programme, HDFC Bank has positively impacted more than 10.77 crore lives nationwide.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the programme continues to focus on strengthening rural economies, improving educational infrastructure, enhancing employability and local livelihoods, expanding access to essential community services and promoting sustainable natural resource management.