Deadline: 31-Dec-2025
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Fellowship Program 2026 offers a two-year, fully supported opportunity for young Indians to pursue independent, socially engaged learning projects across fields such as public health, law, journalism, ecology, culture and community rights. The fellowship provides a monthly stipend of up to INR 45,000 depending on location and is open to Indian citizens born on or after 1 January 1990. Applications close on 31 December 2025 at 11:59 PM IST.
Fellowship Overview
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Fellowship Program is designed to support young people in India to develop a broad, critical worldview and engage deeply with issues of public importance.
The fellowship encourages independent learning rooted in social realities, offering fellows the time and space to reflect, explore and work on meaningful projects outside the constraints of conventional academic or professional pathways.
Purpose and Vision
In the Indian context, many young graduates enter the workforce immediately, leaving limited opportunity for exploration, critical thinking or public engagement.
This fellowship responds to that gap by enabling fellows to pause formal career trajectories and pursue learning experiences that strengthen social awareness, civic responsibility and long-term engagement with public issues.
The programme is grounded in values of equality of opportunity, social inclusion, freedom of expression and respect for individual and constitutional rights.
Types of Projects Supported
The fellowship supports independent, action-oriented learning projects, which may include but are not limited to:
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Action-oriented or field-based research
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Cause lawyering and community legal work
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Grassroots or public-interest journalism
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Ecological and environmental initiatives
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Community rights and social justice work
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Public health engagement
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Archiving, reviving or documenting dying arts, cultures or languages
Projects must focus on individual learning and engagement rather than organisational work.
Projects Not Supported
The fellowship does not support:
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Organisational or institutional projects
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Art installations, photo books or similar formats
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Projects pursued as part of formal academic degrees or PhD programmes
Fellowship Duration and Structure
The fellowship runs for two years, subject to:
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A mandatory six-month probation period
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Quarterly and annual reviews of progress and learning outcomes
Continuation beyond the probation period depends on satisfactory performance and alignment with fellowship objectives.
Stipend and Financial Support
The fellowship provides a monthly stipend, which varies by geographical location:
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X category areas: INR 45,000 per month
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Y category areas: INR 35,000 per month
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Z category areas: INR 25,000 per month
The final stipend amount is determined at the discretion of the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation.
Additional Fellowship Requirements
As part of the fellowship experience, selected fellows must:
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Attend three workshops hosted by the foundation at regular intervals
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Participate in periodic reviews and learning assessments
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Commit fully to the fellowship for its entire duration
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
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Be an Indian citizen currently residing in India
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Be born on or after 1 January 1990
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Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university or institute
OR
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Have at least three years of relevant work experience
Applicants must not be enrolled in any academic studies or PhD programmes during the fellowship period.
Who Is Not Eligible
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Applicants pursuing full-time academic or PhD programmes during the fellowship
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Proposals centred on organisational work or artistic production formats
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Non-Indian citizens or applicants residing outside India
Application Process
Applications for the 2026 cohort are currently open.
Applicants must submit their application through the foundation’s online application system, which allows:
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Draft submissions
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Sending automated requests to referees for Letters of Recommendation while the application is in draft mode
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that recommendation letters are submitted before the deadline.
Application Deadline
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31 December 2025
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11:59 PM IST
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The Inlaks Fellowship stands out by:
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Prioritising independent learning over formal credentials
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Supporting long-term, immersive engagement with social issues
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Encouraging reflection, critical thinking and ethical public engagement
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Providing financial stability to pursue non-traditional learning paths
Final Note
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Fellowship Program 2026 is a unique opportunity for young Indians seeking to deepen their understanding of society through sustained, independent learning. Applicants with strong motivation, social commitment and a clear learning vision are encouraged to apply well before the 31 December 2025 deadline.
For more information, visit The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation.