About CDOT

Centre for Development Orientation and Training (CDOT) is a grassroots organization committed to advancing inclusive and sustainable development across underserved communities in India. Established in April 2000, CDOT was founded by professionals from diverse sectors with a shared vision to improve the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable populations, especially in rural areas.

Over the years, CDOT has evolved into a multi-sector development institution, working across financial inclusion, livelihoods, skill development, health, and women empowerment. Our approach is rooted in creating access—ensuring that essential services and opportunities reach communities at the last mile.

A key pillar of our work is financial inclusion, where we operate a strong network of over 2,500 active centres across 8 states. Through this network, we deliver doorstep financial services while building a cadre of local entrepreneurs who act as Business Correspondents (BCs). These individuals not only earn sustainable livelihoods but also enable their communities to access banking, credit, insurance, and social security services.

We collaborate with leading financial institutions such as Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Bank of India, Bihar Gramin Bank, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, and ESAF Small Finance Bank. In addition, our growing work in NPA recovery supports banks in strengthening their financial systems while creating additional income opportunities for our field agents.

Women empowerment remains central to our mission. Through partnerships like JEEViKA, we have enabled hundreds of women to become entrepreneurs and community leaders, providing them with training, technology, and business support.

CDOT is also actively engaged in youth skill development through initiatives such as the Bihar Skill Development Mission (BSDM). With multiple training centres across rural Bihar, we equip young people with essential skills like computer literacy, communication, and personality development—preparing them for employment and self-reliance.

Our Community Health Facilitator Program further strengthens our grassroots impact. Under this initiative, CDOT has trained 600+ women as health facilitators who provide basic health assessments—including blood pressure, blood sugar, and temperature checks—within their communities. These facilitators also enable access to tele-consultation services, bridging the gap between rural populations and qualified healthcare providers. Each facilitator serves approximately 200 households, impacting nearly 6,00,000 individuals, making this program a powerful model for community-led healthcare access.

Today, CDOT reaches over 6 million people across multiple states, continuing to expand its impact through strong partnerships and community-driven solutions. Our work is driven by a simple belief: empowering individuals at the grassroots creates lasting change for communities and the nation.