Bell-ringing ceremony held in the presence of the Hon’ble Ministers Shri Chandrakant Patil and Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, along with key stakeholders
Mumbai, March 30, 2026: Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL), a not-for-profit working in education and skilling, has today been listed on the Social Stock Exchange at the NSE. The listing was held with a bell-ringing ceremony, highlighting the next phase of its work with underserved youth.
The move is aimed at expanding access to education, digital skills, and clearer career pathways for students from government schools and rural communities, especially young women who often face additional barriers.
Alongside the listing, FUEL also announced its Social Stock Exchange issue, which will support scholarships for underserved girls and first-generation learners, while bringing more transparency and accountability into how social funding is deployed.
The event was attended by the Hon’ble Minister for Higher & Technical Education, Chandrakant Patil, and the Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, along with stakeholders, corporate leaders and partners.
Commenting on this, Chandrakant Dada Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Higher & Technical Education, said, “With the support of CSR contributions from both large and small companies, such initiatives can be scaled to benefit more women. It is encouraging to see interest from leading corporates. When industry steps forward to support such models, it strengthens the ecosystem and helps bring these ideas to life. Initiatives like the listing on the National Stock Exchange of India and the Social Stock Exchange reflect this shift where social organisations are not just supported, but also held to higher standards of transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.”
“The Social Stock Exchange provides a structured pathway to align capital with measurable social outcomes. Through this initiative, we aim to support students who face financial barriers to education,” said Dr. Ketan Deshpande, Founder and Chairman, FUEL
“What began as a small effort with a clear intent to serve has today grown into a platform creating real opportunities. It has brought people together from different walks of life, all contributing in their own way to a shared cause. Initiatives like this show how collective intent can truly impact and uplift many more lives,” added Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, Hon’ble Minister for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
“Over the past few years, FUEL has done commendable work in career guidance and counselling across Maharashtra. Many students have benefited by gaining clarity on the paths they can pursue in life. When young people receive the right guidance at the right time, it helps them realise their potential and move forward with confidence. I congratulate the team on this new beginning and wish them continued success.” Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra
With the support of Dr. Yusuf Hamied, Chairman of Cipla, the School of Science has been established. FUEL is now inviting partnerships to set up other schools, including Management, Future Skills, Commerce & Humanities, Technology, and Social Impact.
The ceremony also featured the recognition of CSR partners and stakeholders, along with a powerful address by a FUEL alumna, highlighting the transformative impact of education and skill development.
Additionally, FUEL shared a major announcement at the ceremony that the institute has been recognised as the FUEL Skilltech and Entrepreneurship University by the Maharashtra state government. The proposed university is intended to be a future-ready, industry-integrated establishment that combines innovation, employability, and academic achievement
