Young India Fellowship admissions open for 2026-27; new postgraduate diploma and scholarships available – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Ashoka University has opened applications for the 16th cohort of its Young India Fellowship (YIF), Class of 2026-27, marking 15 years of the programme that helped establish the university in 2014. All selected Fellows will receive scholarships, supported by HDFC Bank.The fellowship brings together students from different backgrounds for a year-long residential programme focused on interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and leadership. Alumni have gone on to work in government, civil society, academia, research, corporate sectors, and the arts in India and abroad.Postgraduate diploma and curriculumThe fellowship now offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies. The programme is structured around four areas: Core and Elective Coursework, Critical Inquiry and Expression, Immersive Experiential Learning, and Holistic Learning and Engagement. Fellows complete about 18 courses across disciplines, work on projects, and are guided by faculty and alumni.Pramath Raj Sinha, founder and chairperson of Ashoka University, said, “Ashoka started with the Young India Fellowship, so it has a very special place in the University. It’s a microcosm of what all of Ashoka has to offer and the best of what Ashoka has to offer.”Eligibility and selectionThe Class of 2026-27 will include around 100 Fellows. Candidates of any age and nationality who have earned an undergraduate degree by July 2026—or are in their final year—can apply. Applications are free and include an online form, followed by a personal interview for shortlisted candidates.Scholarships cover 25% to 100% of tuition, residence, and meals. About 10 Fellows will receive the Chancellor’s Scholarship, covering full tuition and residence. In the Class of 2025-26, 59% of Fellows received full tuition waivers or more, 32% were fully funded, 24% received additional support, and 17 were recognised as Chancellor’s Scholars.Application deadlinesApplications for Round 1 close on January 19, 2026, with a priority deadline on December 8, 2025. Further information about courses, faculty, and the Class of 2025-26 composition is available at https://yif.ashoka.edu.in.
