Maharashtra possesses a rich history of social harmony; great leaders such as Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar championed the core principles of education and empowerment of the poor and backward. Adhering to this very ideology, the government led by Devendra Fadnavis established ‘SARTHI’— the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training, and Human Development Institute—in 2018, specifically for the economically weaker sections of the Maratha, Kunbi, Maratha-Kunbi, and Kunbi-Maratha communities. The objective was to provide the youth of the Maratha community with skill development opportunities for employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship. The institute offers guidance and counseling with or without stipends for students, farmers, women and entrepreneurs and even research facilities with scholarships from its different centers. Currently, the SARTHI Institute is implementing over 60 distinct schemes aimed at the advancement of the Maratha community. These include skill development training, guidance for UPSC/MPSC exams and other competitive examinations, online training for police recruitment, M.Phil./Ph.D level research programs with scholarships, training and financial aid for foreign education, and entrepreneurship development programs.
The Concept and Objective of the SARTHI Institute
Established in 2018, SARATHI has developed into a vital tool for the empowerment of the Maratha community, addressing their educational and economic goals, which is at the core of their demand for reservation. With a constant focus of the government, SARATHI is dedicated to fostering the holistic development of the Maratha community through its various facets, including education, skill development, guidance, research, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation. To this end, the State Government has allocated approximately ₹650 crore.
The institute, with its motto, “Let us rapidly advance the ideals of Shahu; let us achieve progress in every direction,” has to date helped hundreds of thousands of youths across Maharashtra in realizing their dreams. Over the past four years—from 2021-22 to 2024-25—SARTHI has guided and assisted over 800,000 students across the state through a diverse range of initiatives.
Success Achieved through SARTHI’s Initiatives
- 838,000 people benefitted over four years
- ₹647 crore spent on education and training
- Hundreds of students successfully cleared competitive examinations
- Thousands of youths completed skill development training
- Substantial contributions made in the fields of entrepreneurship, research, and historical conservation
SARTHI Educational Support Benefits
1. UPSC / MPSC Pre-Training and Scholarships for Maratha Youth
SARTHI provides financial assistance to students for pre-training, interview preparation, and guidance for the Union Public Service Commission and Maharashtra Public Service Commission (UPSC / MPSC) examinations. Through this scheme, 112 students were selected for the UPSC and 1,048 students for the MPSC between 2020 and 2024. Of the total students selected for the MPSC, 229 were selected in the Class I category and 819 in the Class II category.
2. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Higher Education Scholarship Scheme (Domestic)
Under the Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Higher Education Scholarship Scheme, scholarships are awarded annually to approximately 300 students pursuing studies at 200 renowned universities across the country. Under this scholarship scheme, selected students receive a 100% reimbursement of their tuition, hostel, mess, and examination fees. During the period from 2022 to 2024, 441 students were selected, and benefits amounting to ₹5 crore were disbursed to them. Subsequently, in the financial year 2024-25, 270 students were selected; benefits totaling ₹6 crore were disbursed to them as of March 2025.
3. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad Scholarship Scheme (For Study Abroad)
To fulfill the dreams of meritorious yet economically disadvantaged students to pursue international education, 50 students were selected in the 2023-24 academic year. These students were awarded scholarships worth a total of ₹6 crore. Subsequently, in the 2024-25 academic year, 75 students were selected. Under this scheme, students pursuing a 2-year postgraduate (PG) program abroad receive ₹30 lakh per annum, while students pursuing a 4-year PhD program receive ₹40 lakh per annum.
Schemes for Skill Development, Research, and Job Creation
1. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj National Research Fellowship
The Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj National Research Fellowship (CSMNRF) was launched in 2019 to encourage meritorious students pursuing PhD, specifically those belonging to the Marathi, Kunbi, Kunbi-Maratha, and Maratha-Kunbi categories, by providing them with fellowships. Since its inception, scholarships have been awarded to 3,078 students. Of these, 393 students have successfully completed their PhDs, and 110 students have secured employment in various sectors.
2. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Skill Development and Computer Training Scheme
The Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Skill Development and Computer Training Program is implemented across all talukas (administrative blocks) of Maharashtra. Between 2022 and 2025, a total of 97,286 beneficiaries have availed the benefits of this scheme. The target set for this scheme was 120,000 beneficiaries. Out of the 97,000 beneficiaries, 34,304 have successfully completed their training, and among them, 7,365 have secured employment. Meanwhile, thousands of students are currently awaiting their interviews.
3. Shrimant Malojiraje Bhosale Indo-German Tool Room Skill Training
Under the Shrimant Malojiraje Bhosale Indo-German Tool Room Skill Training Program, training is being provided to students of various levels, such as ITI, Engineering, and post Graduate levels in Pune, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and other districts. Currently, 1,012 students are undergoing training. Of these, 657 students have completed their training, and 314 of them have secured employment.
4. Sarnobat Narveer Tanaji Malusare Historical Documents Preservation Scheme
Through the Sarnobat Narveer Tanaji Malusare Historical Documents Preservation Scheme, old documents, orders, decrees, and similar records dating back to the era of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj are being preserved and digitized. Plans are in place to publish books based on these historical documents. A total of 1,086 PhD students and staff members have prepared 118,834 and 13,600 seed balls, respectively. These seed balls are being planted in the areas surrounding the forts as an initiative for reforestation.
5. Sarsarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite SARTHI MODI Script Training
Under the Sarsarsenapati Hambirrao Mohite SARTHI MODI Script Training Scheme, 260 students are currently undergoing training. Under the Sardar Suryaji Kakade SARTHI Vehicle Driver Skill Training Program, a 30-day training course for driving light and heavy vehicles is provided in Bhosari, Pune. This training program commenced in 2025, and to date, 49 students have successfully completed the training.
6. Senapati Dhanaji Jadhav SARTHI Farmer Drone Pilot Training
Under the Senapati Dhanaji Jadhav SARTHI Farmer Drone Pilot Training Scheme, farmers are provided with free training on the usage of drones at the Mahatma Phule Agricultural University in Rahuri, the Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Agricultural University in Dapoli, and the Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University in Parbhani. So far, 330 farmers have completed their drone pilot training.
7. Sarsarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade Entrepreneurship Development Program
Under the Sarsarsenapati Santaji Ghorpade Entrepreneurship Development Program, efforts are underway to give shape to startup ideas. SARTHI is providing the necessary guidance, incubation support, and financial assistance for this initiative. To this end, the State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 13 incubation centers. As of 2025, 120 young entrepreneurs have benefited from this program.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Complex – Educational Hostels and Facilities
The objective is to provide excellent educational facilities to students belonging to the Maratha, Kunbi-Maratha, or Maratha-Kunbi groups. To this end, study halls, hostels, and skill training centers are being established at eight locations across the state, namely Pune, Kolhapur, Kharghar, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Latur, Nagpur, and Amravati. Work on the Pune headquarters has been completed, while construction at the other centers is currently underway. The State Government has allotted 10.65 hectares of land for the establishment of these training centers and has granted administrative approval amounting to ₹1,360.31 crore for their construction.
Vision and Unwavering Support of Devendra Fadnavis
Under the Mahayuti governments, the importance of SARTHI has increased significantly, from a typical government agency to an institution that provides the right direction to the youth of the Maratha-Kunbi community. As a result, the youth of this community are increasingly gaining access to opportunities in higher education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Thanks to Devendra Fadnavis’s initiatives for Maratha youth, ‘SARTHI’ has emerged as a highly successful organization. Through its various schemes, ‘SARTHI’ is enabling thousands of young individuals to acquire education and professional training, required for securing jobs or launching their own startups. ‘SARTHI’ truly embodies the spirit of Maharashtra’s progressive youth.
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