About Utkarsh Welfare Foundation
Utkarsh Welfare Foundation (UWF), formerly known as Samutkarsh Welfare Services, was incorporated on August 12, 2010, as a not-for-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 (earlier Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956). The Foundation was established with a clear mission: to uplift underprivileged and underserved communities through targeted interventions in financial literacy, education, healthcare, skill development, market linkages, and sustainable livelihoods.
Since its inception, UWF has impacted the lives of over 3.5 million individuals across seven Indian states viz., Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The Foundation's work is guided by a vision to become an institution of excellence, driving inclusive and holistic development through equitable, scalable, and technology-enabled solutions.
UWF’s approach is deeply rooted in understanding the realities of low-income households in rural and remote geographies. Its development strategies focus on creating sustainable change by designing community-centric programs that are innovative, impactful, and responsive to evolving needs. From enhancing financial awareness to delivering primary healthcare, from upskilling youth through skill development programs to strengthening entrepreneurship and village development. UWF continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
At the heart of its operations is a strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making. A robust monitoring and evaluation system enables the Foundation to track progress, measure outcomes&impact, and adapt strategies for greater effectiveness.
Collaboration is central to UWF’s model. The Foundation actively partners with government institutions, likeminded organizations, civil society groups, and local stakeholders to scale its interventions and ensure they are culturally and contextually relevant. By fostering these synergies, UWF builds platforms for co-creation, shared ownership, and sustained impact.
Driven by an unyielding passion for service and a belief in collective progress, Utkarsh Welfare Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to empower communities and catalyze positive change. The journey continues, grounded in purpose, strengthened by partnerships, and guided by a vision of a more equitable and inclusive society.
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
Be an institution of excellence in promoting holistic development through inclusive growth leading to greater participation in equitable socio - economic opportunities.
Our Mission
To promote sustainable development through technology driven, impactful & scalable interventions in the identified thematic areas including primary healthcare, education, skill training, livelihoods, financial inclusion & environmental conservation.
Chairperson's Message – Dr. H. P. Mathur
Utkarsh Welfare Foundation, as a social sector organization has been continually dedicated to working for the larger good of the society while upholding a strong set of values that form its foundation. Our interventions focus on promoting overall development in the thematic areas of primary healthcare, financial inclusion, education, livelihoods & skill training and environmental conservation.
The Foundation, throughout its journey, has not only intensified and strengthened its strategies for undertaking its initiatives but also expanded its presence in newer regions and geographies. Varied programs and projects are continually being implemented in the targeted areas of entrepreneurship development, primary healthcare and financial inclusion to better the health, lives and livelihoods of all but specially the vulnerable communities.
In view of the primary healthcare scenario of India, particularly in rural areas, due to the lack of services at the primary level, the patients often resort to substandard consultation for early-stage illnesses. Hence, considering the above, the Foundation conducts Polyclinic Camps & Special Health Camps and has also set up E-clinics to provide primary healthcare services and free medicines. Health Awareness trainings to eliminate information gap about preventive and curative diseases are also conducted in targeted geographies. Additionally, the Foundation also contributes in strengthening the rural health infrastructure of Primary and Community Health Centers in its area of operations by providing need-based medical equipments.
Our financial inclusion initiatives include Financial Awareness programs that enhance the financial decision-making process of beneficiaries through classroom training. We have gained extensive experience in running Financial Awareness programs, allowing us to implement Financial Awareness in multiple innovative ways in addition to the regular Classroom Training viz. Mass Awareness Camps, Theatre Camps and Trainings through digital mode.
Under Skill, Vocational & Entrepreneurship Development Programs, the initiatives are aimed to enable entrepreneurs to setup / upscale / diversify their micro and small business enterprises. Relevant skill training, business development and start-up support is being provided, especially to women micro-entrepreneurs.
The Village Development Programme (VDP) of the Foundation focuses on integrated development of the village through self-reliance and capacity building. The Foundation is continually strengthening and expanding its presence in the VDP villages through setting up of Smart Classes, promoting best agricultural practices, providing agricultural input support, conducting regular capacity building programs on various types of microenterprises for women, etc.
At Utkarsh Welfare Foundation, we operate largely in the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. The teams have worked dynamically and promptly on the strategic priorities of the developmental sphere.
I express my gratitude to our shareholders, Board Members, partners and beneficiaries for their unwavering support. I also extend my appreciation to our dedicated employees who contribute their expertise and efforts towards sustainable development. Our commitment for making a positive impact on disadvantaged communities remains resolute.
Dr. H. P. Mathur
Chairperson, Utkarsh Welfare Foundation
Board of Directors
Dr. H. P. Mathur
Dr. Himendu P. Mathur has a rich experience of over 41 years in academic administration, research, teaching and industry. He has published dozens of articles/papers in reputed national and international journals. He has also authored 13 books including edited volumes. His areas of interest include Banking, Strategic Management and Finance. He acts as an expert member at different committees and academic bodies. He has acted as Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, chaired Sessions, delivered Keynote Addresses and made presentations in several international and national conferences, Seminars, workshops, EDPs, FDPs in India and abroad.
Dr. H. P. Mathur is also associated with Atal Incubation Centre, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi as a Director and is the Coordinator of International Students Affairs and Collaborations, BHU. He is closely associated with developing corporate relations and organizing alumni network.
Prior to joining at Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), BHU in 1992, he worked as Assistant Engineer at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, involved in designing, planning, fabricating and testing equipment for fighter aircrafts. He also worked for over ten years in Allahabad Bank and was also Branch Head. His major involvement was in project formulation, evaluation, and credit and risk management. He is B.Tech. in Electrical Engg. from IT (now IIT), BHU, Master's in Management Studies (Gold Medalist), Ph.D. from Faculty of Management Studies (BHU), CAIIB from Indian Institute of Bankers (now IIBF) and holds Diploma in German Language.
Ms. Shruti Agarwalla
Ms. Shruti Agarwalla is an accomplished Human Resources professional with experience in Training & Development, Coaching, and Mentoring. She led the HR Training and Mentoring initiatives at Sunbeam School, Mughalsarai in a Strategic Corporate Relations profile, with a deep focus on nurturing skills and building capacity through structured learning pathways for the students.
Previously she served Samutkarsh Welfare Services (now Utkarsh Welfare Foundation), in the capacity of leading its welfare development initiatives, overseeing impactful development programs and mentoring young professionals in community-oriented roles.
She is a Graduate in Economics (Honours) from Delhi University.
Mr. Govind Singh
Mr. Govind Singh has an overall experience of more than 30 years in the Banking & Finance Sector, with a wide range of experience at different levels.
He was the founder of Utkarsh Micro Finance Ltd., the promoting institution of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Ltd. Currently, he is the Managing Director & CEO at Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited. Prior to setting up Utkarsh, he was with ICICI Bank Ltd. in Rural, Micro & Agri-Business Group as the Business Head for Micro Banking. He also worked in the Retail Liabilities Group and Retail Infrastructure Group with ICICI Bank. Earlier to ICICI Bank, he had worked with UTI Bank Ltd. (Axis Bank), Bank International Indonesia, Surya Fincap Limited. He also had stints with Allahabad Bank and State Bank of Patiala (since amalgamated with State Bank of India).
Mr. Govind Singh also served as a member of the working group to review the Business Correspondent (BC) Model in India. The committee was set up by RBI to examine the ways for improving BC Model.
He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from Delhi University and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (now IIBF).
Ms. Ramni Nirula
Ms. Ramni Nirula had retired as Senior General Manager of ICICI Bank Limited. She has more than forty years of experience in the financial services sector, beginning her career with the erstwhile ICICI Limited in the project appraisal division. Since then, she has held various leadership positions in the areas of Project Financing, Strategy, Planning & Resources and Corporate Banking. She was part of the top management team, instrumental in transforming ICICI Bank from a term lending institution into a technology-led diversified financial services group with a strong presence in India’s retail financial services market. She was also a part of the top-level task force, which successfully planned and implemented ICICI Bank’s entry in the Rural Banking, Microfinance & Agriculture Business group, identified by the Bank as a key thrust area. Ms. Nirula also held a key position as Managing Director & CEO of ICICI Securities Limited, the Investment Banking arm of ICICI Bank Limited. She also headed the Corporate Banking Group for ICICI Bank. In addition, she was also responsible for setting up the Government Banking / Corporate Agri Group based out of New Delhi within the bank.
Ms. Nirula helped to set up / take forward ICICI Banks’ CSR initiative through the ICICI Foundation, set up with a focus on the delivery of primary health, primary education and access to finance.
Ms. Nirula had been a member of the Board of many ICICI group and associate companies i.e. ICICI Securities Limited, ICICI Direct and 3i Infotech. Additionally, she had been a member of the Board of leading companies in India.
She had also been on the Board of non-corporates like a leading residential school for girls, a Micro Finance Institution in India and an Advisory Council Member of ICICI Knowledge Park Trust. In addition to the Corporate Boards, she was there on the India Advisory Board of a Boston-based global PE fund for advising on investment opportunities in India and supporting investee companies in their biz growth.
She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Delhi University.
Senior Management
Mr. Sulabh Kumar Jain – Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Sulabh Kumar Jain has 18 years of experience in the field of Banking, Microfinance and Financial Sector. He started his career with ICICI Bank as Relationship Manager and was looking after wholesale lending to Microfinance Institutions.
He has worked with Utkarsh Microfinance Ltd. in various capacities (Field Operations, Internal Audit, HR and Training and Credit Plus Activities) in leadership roles. He has also worked in leadership roles with Simpa Energy India Pvt. Ltd. (Sr. Director HR and Training), Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. (Head Internal Audit) and Ananya Finance (VP-Microfinance). Prior to joining the Foundation, he was working with Utkarsh Small Finance Bank in the capacity of National Audit Manager-Concurrent Audit.
He is an Agriculture Graduate and has done Masters in Agri-Business Management.
