Newgen Digital Discovery Paathshala (NDDP), the flagship CSR initiative of Newgen Software, is designed to promote digital literacy, equitable education, and quality learning among less privileged government school students. The program’s goal is to make students digitally sound and broaden their perspectives so that they can keep up with the pace of rapid development, specifically in the technology arena. The overall focus is to bridge the digital divide among the students, change the learning process, and instill the habit of research and self-learning.

Launched as a pilot project in 2015, NDDP currently benefits girl students from government schools in Harkesh Nagar and Tekhand, Delhi, reaching approximately 3,000 students from classes 6 to 8. Additionally, an alumni network comprising 800 students from class 9 onwards continues to receive support. The program is designed to impart knowledge using web-based technology and has transformed traditional classroom teachings into fun learning sessions.

After the pandemic COVID-19, the NDDP program recognized the need for flexibility and adopted hybrid sessions. Under the aegis of NDDP, students have also been provided digital devices, including iPads, tablets, and smartphones, to make education more accessible. So far, over 2,500 students have received these devices along with data cards, enabling them to participate in online learning and develop creative content.

NDDP Alumni also prioritizes personality development, mental well-being, and career counseling of the NDDP alumni. Professionals from different walks of life are invited to share the experiences that inspired their careers. Experienced counsellors from partner organisations, “IAm WellBeing” facilitate the sessions. It is crucial for the students to realize their self-worth, gain confidence, and become self-reliant. There are sessions on understanding mental health from Class 6 with self-evaluation and life skills development. Upgraded at each class level with personality and peer leadership development, this guides the students towards realizing self-worth and creating a safe social and personal space around them. Regular parallel intervention activities with the primary stakeholders, i.e., the parents and teachers, strengthen the program to make it more sustainable.

Scholarships were also offered for higher education to ensure the students continue their learning journey. This has helped the students emerge as role models in their community and build a reliable group of NDDP Maargdarshaks, who instill confidence and self-awareness through personality development sessions. Till now, around 100+ students have been supported through scholarships.

Beyond student-focused initiatives, NDDP recognizes the importance of engaging families and educators to create a sustainable impact. The NDDP Samarth Saarthi Samuh, an initiative launched in 2023, supports the mothers of beneficiaries by providing skill development, financial and digital literacy, and mental health awareness. Women were also trained in stitching, embroidery, crochet and related techniques. 

The NDDP program’s impact can primarily be accounted for through qualitative outcomes rather than quantitative ones. The program activities were executed to attain digital empowerment, incorporation of self-worth, personality development, and career goal orientation for girl students. Every year, NDDP works with approx. The estimated project cost for 2024-2025 stands at approximately 2 crore, reinforcing Newgen Software’s dedication to sustained educational impact and community upliftment.