Seva Mandir

Seva Mandir was founded in 1968 by Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta and is an Indian non-profit organisation based in Udaipur, South Rajasthan. Seva Mandir’s mission is to make real the idea of society consisting of free and equal citizens who are able to come together and solve the problems that affect them in their particular contexts. The mission, briefly, is to construct the conditions in which citizens of plural backgrounds and perspectives can come together to benefit and empower the least advantaged in society.

In southern Rajasthan, where the rugged Aravalli mountain range meets the resilience of its peoples, Seva Mandir stands as a beacon of transformation. For more than five decades, Seva Mandir has been working as a voluntary organization, weaving itself into the fabric of rural and tribal communities, nurturing their growth and fostering development.

Rooted in Udaipur, Seva Mandir’s reach extends to over a million people across 1,569 villages in 5
Districts (Udaipur, Rajsamand, Sirohi, Salumbar and Chittorgarh) of southern Rajasthan—a region where
subsistence agriculture is the lifeline and poverty looms large, with over 70% of the tribal population
relying on this form of agriculture.

Seva Mandir’s mission goes beyond conventional aid; it is dedicated to sustainable, self-reliant, and long- term social transformation. The organization’s work in rural development focuses not just on meeting immediate needs but on reshaping the foundations of village life by transforming social relationships, strengthening connections to shared resources, and enhancing self-governance.

Sewa Mandir prioritizes that the most vulnerable members of society have access to quality education, healthcare, and stable livelihoods. This is achieved by strengthening communities, improving livelihoods and value chains, preserving natural resources, supporting children’s education and early childhood care, empowering youth and women, and enhancing water, hygiene, and sanitation practices. Seva Mandir also provides a platform for individuals from various sectors to conduct research, learn from their work with the community, and develop effective interventions that support community development.

At the core of this approach is the belief that communities themselves hold the keys to their progress. In every project and village, Seva Mandir works not just to uplift individuals but to build stronger communities, break down barriers of caste, class, gender, and age, and create a more just, equitable, and sustainable society. Through village forums and community institutions, Sewa Mandir fosters social cohesion and empowers communities to actively participate in their development.

Seva Mandir’s head office is in Fatehpura, Udaipur, India; other offices include Friends of Seva Mandir,
USA; and Friends of Seva Mandir, UK.