S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Madras and SBI Foundation have joined hands to launch Para Athlete Sports Scholarship program aimed at empowering 100 para-athletes across India.
The program will provide selected athlete with a monthly stipend of ₹40,000 each, supporting their journey toward National and International sporting excellence, say sources from IIT Madras. Further, scientific training will also be provided under this initiative.
IIT Madras scholarship launch
The program was formally launched today (14 August 2025) in the presence of Mr. Sanjay Prakash, Managing Director and CEO, SBI Foundation, and other stakeholders.
Encouragement and SBI Foundation
Looking forward to encouraging para-athletes, Mr. Sanjay Prakash, MD and CEO, SBI Foundation, said, at SBI Foundation, they believe in the unlimited potential of the para-athletes of India.
‘Their dedication, talent, and resilience are highly inspiring. With the launch of SBIF PASS (Para Athletes Sports Scholarship), we take another step towards enabling them to chase their dreams and bring glory to our Nation.’
Recognition
Mr. Sanjay Prakash added this initiative is not just about financial support – it is about giving our para-athletes the recognition, resources, and confidence they deserve.
‘Together, let’s champion their journey and celebrate their success. We are proud to stand beside them – now, and always.’
Dean at IIT Madras
Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said at IIT Madras, we deeply value our partnership with SBI Foundation and the opportunities it creates.
The Para Athlete Sports Scholarship program is clearly aligned with the values of diversity and inclusion in sports that we have been championing over the years, said Prof Ashwin of IIT Madras.
‘It levels the playing field for para-athletes by opening up avenues for them to aspire, dream and grow on both the National and International stage.’
Support and Training at IIT Madras
By combining financial support with scientific training, the scholarship ensures that para-athletes have access to the resources, data, and mentorship they need to compete at the highest level.
The goal is to create a robust ecosystem of support and inclusivity in Indian sport, while building a strong pipeline for events like the Paralympics and other international events for para athletes.
A step forward
This marks a significant step forward in recognising and nurturing the potential of differently-abled athletes, aligning with both institutions’ shared vision of inclusive growth and excellence.
The technical assistance for this initiative is being provided by Acrophase, an IIT Madras Center of Excellence for Human Performance under the leadership of Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam.
SBI Foundation
SBI Foundation is the CSR arm of the State Bank Group. True to the Bank’s tradition of ‘Service Beyond Banking’, the Foundation engages with communities in various focus areas, including rural development, healthcare, empowerment of PwDs, sports, education, sustainability and environment, livelihood and skill development, and more.
Operating across 28 states and 7 union territories in India, the Foundation undertakes initiatives to provide resources to vulnerable sections of society through strategic partnerships with impactful entities in the social sector.
The Foundation believes in reflecting the ethos of the State Bank Group in running interventions that are ethical, promote growth and equality, and improve the socio-economic well-being of the society. www.sbifoundation.in
About IIT Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) was established in 1959 by the Government of India as an ‘Institute of National Importance.’
The activities of the Institute in various fields of Science and Technology are carried out in 18 academic departments and several advanced interdisciplinary research academic centres.
The Institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to B.Tech., M.Sc., M.B.A., M.Tech., M.S., and Ph.D., degrees in a variety of specialisations.
IITM is a residential institute with more than 650 faculty and 10,000 students. Students from 18 countries are enrolled here.
IITM fosters an active entrepreneurial culture with strong curricular support and through the IITM Incubation Cell.
Recognized as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) in 2019, IITM has been ranked No.1 in the ‘Overall’ Category for the sixth consecutive year in India Ranking 2024 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India.
The Institute has also been ranked No.1 in the ‘Engineering Institutions’ category in the same Rankings for nine consecutive years – from 2016 to 2024.
In 2023, IIT Madras became the first IIT to establish an international Campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania called ‘IIT Madras Zanzibar.
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