Surya Foundation

What Surya Foundation does

Surya Foundation is an Indian non-governmental organization established in 1992 by Padma Shri Jaiprakash Agarwal, also Chairman of Surya Roshni Limited, and headquartered in New Delhi. The foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected rural development programs including the Adarsh Gaon Yojana (village transformation across 350+ villages in 17 states), Personality Development Camps (residential youth training at the 10-acre Surya Sadhna Sthali campus in Jhinjholi, Sonipat), agricultural training in natural farming, multi-layer farming, dairy management, and IARI-developed seed distribution, as well as the Surya Bharti Books integrated Class 1-5 curriculum adopted by 650+ schools through the School Bharti Organisation. It also runs two public-private partnership schools for tribal children (Surya Eklavya Sainik School in Gujarat and Kanya Siksha Parisar in Madhya Pradesh), the International Naturopathy Organisation across 24 states, and a multi-domain Think Tank producing policy recommendations.

The organization is supported by 1,300+ active volunteers and a small paid staff of 26, with formal partnerships providing its technical backbone: ICAR-NDRI and ICAR-CIRC for dairy training, CEDSI for dairy skilling, IARI for seed development, district agriculture departments for natural farming pilots, and state tribal education societies for PPP schools. Its technology footprint is conventional — a website, YouTube channel, Google Forms for scholarship applications, and community-led field programs — with no disclosed AI, software platform, or data infrastructure. Key impact metrics cited include 3.61 crore+ trees planted, 2 lakh+ youth trained, 1,829 women in Self-Help Groups, 234 Sanskar Kendras, and 183 Youth Clubs across 18 states.

Surya Foundation's revenue model is primarily donation-based, accepting contributions in any amount from Indian donors (50% tax-exempt under Section 80G) via bank transfer, cheque, and an online portal; foreign donations are explicitly not accepted. A secondary revenue stream comes from sales of handmade rural products (Panchgavye Soap, Dhoop Batti, Pickle, Gamha, Toran) produced by Self-Help Group women and sold through direct contact. The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees led by the founder, with a multi-tier advisory and executive body, and has no parent company, no external institutional investors, and no disclosed funding rounds.

Name

Surya Foundation

Legal name

Surya Foundation

Website

https://suryafoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Surya Foundation is an Indian NGO, founded in 1992, running youth personality development camps, village transformation programs, agricultural training, and PPP-model tribal schools across 17+ Indian states for rural communities, farmers, and students, funded primarily through domestic donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Development and Social Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment (BPAGABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD), Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Rural development programs
• Youth personality training
• Natural farming education
• Integrated school curriculum
• Naturopathy health promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Primary revenue source from individual and corporate donations. Foundation accepts local donations via cheque/draft payable to Surya Foundation and bank transfer to Punjab National Bank account. Donations are eligible for 50% tax exemption under Section 80G of Income Tax Act. Foreign donations are not accepted.
2. Handmade Rural Products: Sale of handmade rural products including Panchgavye Soap, Dhoop Batti (incense sticks), Pickle, Gamha (flower pot), Latkan (decorative items), Toran (door hangings). Products are made by women Self-Help Groups and rural artisans, supporting rural empowerment and livelihood generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Surya Foundation runs free rural empowerment, youth development, agricultural training, education, and health programs across India. Core offerings include village transformation under Adarsh Gaon Yojana, residential Personality Development Camps, Natural Farming and Multi-Layer Farming training, Dairy Training Camps, integrated Surya Bharti textbooks, PPP-model tribal schools, and naturopathy promotion via the International Naturopathy Organisation. It is funded primarily through donations and operates a network of 234 Surya Sanskar Kendras, 183 Youth Clubs, and 164 Self-Help Groups.

Product overview

Surya Foundation operates as a social NGO offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and products centered on rural empowerment and national development. The core offerings include educational materials (Surya Bharti Books for Classes 1-5), village development through Adarsh Gaon Yojana, youth empowerment via Personality Development Camps, agricultural training programs in Natural Farming, Multi-Layer Farming, Seed Distribution, and Dairy Training, health promotion through the International Naturopathy Organisation, policy research via Think Tanks, and School Bharti Organization support. The foundation also produces handmade rural products through Self Help Groups and publishes audio content for patriotic education. These programs work synergistically to address rural India's needs across education, health, agriculture, and youth development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adarsh Gaon Yojana: A holistic village development mission focused on education, values, health, harmony, and self-reliance, working across 350+ villages in 17 Indian states
• International Naturopathy Organisation (INO)
• School Bharti Organisation (SBO)
• Yuva Bharat Journey
• Surya Sanskar Kendras
• Surya Sadhna Sthali
• Surya Bharti Books
• Surya Scholarship Scheme
• Surya Youth Clubs

Products and services

• Adarsh Gaon Yojana Holistic village transformation initiative working across 350+ villages in 17 Indian states, focused on education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural preservation through Sanskar Kendras, Self-Help Groups, and community development.
• Personality Development Camps (PDC) 10-day residential camps training youth in meditation, yoga, sports, leadership, and patriotic values. Programs include PDC, Long Training Camp, Grameen PDC, and Teachers Training Camp conducted at the Surya Sadhna Sthali campus in Jhinjholi, Sonipat.
• Natural Farming Training Program Training program promoting eco-friendly, toxin-free agriculture using organic methods like Jeevamrut and Ghan Jivamrut to restore soil fertility and improve groundwater quality for sustainable farming.
• Multi-Layer Farming Innovative natural farming technique that allows farmers to grow four different crops on a single field using different vertical layers (tall canopy trees, mid-height climbers, surface leafy vegetables, and underground root crops) for higher yields and year-round income.
• Seed Distribution Program (Poshan Vatika Abhiyan) Free quality seed distribution program developed with IARI New Delhi, providing improved paddy varieties (PB 1847, PB 1121, PB 1509) and vegetable seeds to farming families for enhanced nutrition and self-reliance.
• Dairy Training Camp 7-day residential dairy and cattle training program conducted with ICAR-NDRI, ICAR-CIRC, and CEDSI, covering breed selection, animal nutrition, milking hygiene, dairy waste management, and cow-based product development.
• International Naturopathy Organisation (INO) Non-profit organization promoting naturopathy and yoga at grassroots level with branches in 24 states and lakhs of active members, focused on the holistic development of this ancient science and bringing it at par with other medical sciences.
• Think Tank Policy Research Expert panels formulating policy recommendations on national development covering Agriculture, Defence, Economy, Education, Energy, Governance, External Affairs, Judicial Reforms, Police Reforms, Power, Rural Development, Tourism, Water Security, and Industry.
• School Bharti Organization (SBO) Organization for teachers, school management, and parents conducting Teachers Personality Development Camps, subject-wise training programs, and student development activities across 650+ associated schools.
• Surya Bharti Books Integrated textbooks for classes 1-5 following the one-class-one-book approach per National Education Policy 2020 guidelines, covering Hindi, Mathematics, Environmental Studies, Art, Health & Hygiene, Yoga, and Sports in a single book to reduce school bag weight and educational costs.
• Surya Eklavya Sainik School Residential school for tribal children operating on PPP model in Kherancha, Gujarat, in partnership with Gujarat State Tribal Education Society, providing quality education and achieving 100% pass rates in classes 10 and 12.
• Kanya Siksha Parisar, Sehore Government girls' education complex for tribal communities in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, operated under PPP model with the Madhya Pradesh Government, providing residential education to 475 tribal girls.
• Prerna Audio Series Patriotic and devotional audio songs organized in 5 volumes (Prerna 1-5), including tracks like Desh Jage Desh, Honge Kaamyab, and Sare Jahan Se Acha, promoting national consciousness and cultural values.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3.61 Crore+ trees planted contributing to environmental conservation
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New DelhicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Developed improved seed varieties (Pusa Basmati PB 1847, PB 1121, PB 1509) for distribution to farmers. IARI scientists provide crop management guidance, pest control advice, and technical training at seed distribution camps.
• Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Sonipat DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2024Joint implementation of three-year pilot project for natural farming in Jhinjholi village and 20 surrounding villages, with focus on increasing area under natural farming and toxin-free food production.
• Gujarat State Tribal Education SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Government partner for Surya Eklavya Sainik School operating under PPP model in Kherancha, Gujarat. Society provides government support while foundation manages school operations.
• ICAR – National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), KarnalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge partner for dairy training camps providing scientific dairy research, management expertise, and modern husbandry techniques. NDRI scientists serve as key speakers and guides at training programs.
• ICAR – Central Institute for Research on Cattle (CIRC), MeerutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous cattle research partner providing expertise on Indian cattle breeds, breed improvement, and cattle management practices for dairy training programs.
• Centre of Excellence for Dairy Skills in India (CEDSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDairy skilling and capacity building partner contributing to training curriculum and practical demonstrations at dairy training camps.
• Madhya Pradesh GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for Kanya Siksha Parisar, Sehore operating under PPP model. Foundation entrusted with running government girls' education complex for tribal communities.
• Natural Farming Training Centre, Gurukul, KurukshetraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining partner for organic certification of farmers in natural farming methods. Experts demonstrate Jeevamrut and Ghan Jivamrut preparation techniques and provide official certification.
• Government Veterinary DepartmentminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborative partner for animal vaccination camps across villages nationwide, providing veterinary consultation, vaccination services, and animal healthcare medications.
• donateabook.org.inminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline platform partner for Surya Foundation's 'Donate a Book' campaign supporting children education through library donations (108 libraries in MP).

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Naandi Foundation: Naandi runs large-scale rural programs in education (New Education), livelihood, and water — a direct peer on rural transformation at multi-state scale with similar outcome-driven donor reporting.
• PRADAN (Professional Assistance for Development Action): PRADAN promotes Self-Help Groups and livelihoods among rural poor across multiple Indian states, sharing Surya Foundation's SHG-driven empowerment and women-led micro-enterprise model.
• Seva Bharati: RSS-affiliated nationwide NGO running rural development, education, and tribal welfare programs across India — directly comparable in scope, ideology, and grassroots volunteer-driven delivery model.
• Akshaya Patra Foundation: Akshaya Patra operates PPP-model school feeding programs across India, comparable to Surya Foundation's PPP tribal-schools model and similar reliance on government tie-ups and donor funding for national-scale impact.
• BAIF Development Research Foundation: BAIF is one of India's largest rural development NGOs operating across livestock, agriculture, health, and community development — a directly comparable integrated rural-livelihoods peer headquartered in Pune with similar field-based program models.
• SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association): SEWA mobilizes rural and informal women workers into cooperatives for economic empowerment — closely comparable to Surya Foundation's SHG model and emphasis on rural women-led handmade products and micro-enterprise.

Broad incumbents

• Sulabh International: Established Indian social-impact organization delivering sanitation, education, and rural welfare programs — a comparable large Indian nonprofit with national reach and government linkages.
• Aga Khan Foundation (India): International foundation running rural development, education, health, and civil society programs in India — comparable programmatic breadth and rural focus, though with more institutional and donor diversity.
• Sri Sathya Sai Annapurna Trust: Large Indian nonprofit addressing rural welfare through nutrition, education, and health programs across many states — broadly comparable to Surya Foundation's multi-program rural footprint.

Emerging players

• Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Trust / Vikalp Sabahyachal Yatra: Regional rural livelihoods and SHG-based empowerment programs in central India — narrower geographic focus but same underlying women's self-help group and micro-enterprise model as Surya Foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPOKRuAn4l1pK5PVo3gYaQw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surya-foundation-org

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Surya Foundation