IndiaAI Fellowship 2026: Apply for Up to Rs 2 Lakh

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through its IndiaAI initiative, has opened applications for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27, offering financial support to eligible undergraduate (UG), Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) and postgraduate (PG) students pursuing artificial intelligence-related research and projects.

Under the fellowship programme, eligible undergraduate and IDD students can receive financial support of up to Rs 1 lakh, while postgraduate students can receive up to Rs 2 lakh, depending on their academic stage and the applicable programme conditions. The initiative is part of the government’s broader IndiaAI Mission, which aims to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem and encourage research, innovation and the development of AI-based solutions.

Applications are being accepted through the official IndiaAI Fellowship portal at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in. The deadline to apply for the 2026–27 fellowship is November 30, 2026. Students interested in applying should review the official notification carefully to confirm the eligibility requirements, financial assistance available for their category and the documents required to complete the application.

IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27: Key Highlights

The IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27 is designed to support students undertaking AI-related projects and research at recognised academic institutions. The programme covers undergraduate, Integrated Dual Degree, postgraduate and doctoral-level research, with the amount and structure of financial assistance varying by category.

• Fellowship programme: IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27.
• Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• Initiative: IndiaAI Mission, through the IndiaAI FutureSkills initiative.
• UG and IDD funding: Up to Rs 1 lakh.
• PG funding: Up to Rs 2 lakh, depending on the semester of entry and applicable conditions.
• PhD fellowship: Monthly financial support ranging from Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000, depending on the year of research.
• International conference support: Additional financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh for eligible students whose AI research papers are accepted at qualifying international conferences.
• Application deadline: November 30, 2026, as announced for the current application cycle.
• Official website: fellowship.indiaai.gov.in.

Students should consult the official fellowship portal for the latest instructions and the specific terms applicable to their academic category before submitting an application. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Who Can Apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026?

The fellowship is intended for eligible students pursuing AI-related projects or research. Undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students must meet the relevant final-year and academic requirements, while postgraduate applicants must be enrolled in an eligible stage of their programme. Separate conditions apply to PhD candidates.

The programme is not restricted exclusively to engineering students. The official fellowship information lists disciplines such as engineering, science, medicine, law, commerce, business and liberal arts among the fields from which students may apply, provided they meet the applicable requirements and undertake qualifying AI-related work. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

1. Eligibility for undergraduate students

Undergraduate applicants must meet the programme’s academic-stage requirements and demonstrate that their project or research is related to artificial intelligence or an associated field.

According to the official fellowship guidelines, undergraduate applicants should generally meet the following conditions:

• Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate programme and meet the specified final-year eligibility requirements.
• Undertake a project based on artificial intelligence or an allied field.
• Have completed at least three full-time AI-related courses.
• Meet the prescribed academic performance requirement, including the stated 80% marks or equivalent grade threshold.
• Provide the required institutional and project-guide endorsements.
• Meet the nationality and other conditions specified in the official guidelines.

The programme’s published eligibility information identifies the relevant academic stages for undergraduate students. For a three-year undergraduate course, applicants can apply after completing the fourth semester or once the second-year results are available. For a four-year course, the corresponding stage is after the sixth semester or once the third-year results are available, subject to the current application instructions. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Students should verify the precise semester and application-stage requirements for the 2026–27 cycle on the official portal, particularly if their university follows a different academic calendar.

2. Eligibility for Integrated Dual Degree students

Students enrolled in Integrated Dual Degree programmes can also apply for financial assistance under the fellowship, subject to the prescribed conditions. These programmes combine academic stages within a single integrated course and therefore have a different semester structure from conventional undergraduate degrees.

The announcement identifies the beginning of the ninth semester as the relevant stage for students pursuing a five-year Integrated Dual Degree programme. The official eligibility information also sets out requirements relating to full-time enrolment, AI-related coursework, academic performance and the nature of the proposed research project.

Eligible IDD students can receive financial support of up to Rs 1 lakh. They should confirm their eligibility and ensure that their institution and project guide can provide the required endorsements before submitting their application. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

3. Eligibility for postgraduate students

Postgraduate students pursuing AI-related research can apply during the first, second or third semester of their programme, subject to the applicable eligibility criteria.

The published guidelines specify academic performance requirements for postgraduate applicants. These include a minimum of 80% marks or an equivalent grade in the undergraduate degree. Students applying during their second or third postgraduate semester must also satisfy the prescribed performance requirement for their completed postgraduate semesters.

Applicants must be pursuing a qualifying full-time course, work on an AI-related project and submit the necessary supporting documents. The official portal should be consulted for the complete requirements and any additional conditions applicable to the applicant’s academic category. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

How Much Financial Assistance Can Students Receive?

The financial support available under the IndiaAI Fellowship varies according to the level of study. Undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to Rs 1 lakh, while postgraduate students can receive up to Rs 2 lakh during their programme, subject to the relevant conditions.

The amount available to postgraduate students can also depend on when they enter the fellowship. The official portal describes a tranche-based disbursement structure, under which the number of instalments and the total available support vary according to the semester in which the student applies.

For example, the published information outlines the following funding structure for postgraduate applicants:

• Students entering in the first semester: Up to Rs 2 lakh, disbursed in four instalments of Rs 50,000.
• Students entering in the second semester: Up to Rs 1.5 lakh, disbursed in three instalments of Rs 50,000.
• Students entering in the third semester: Up to Rs 1 lakh, disbursed in two instalments of Rs 50,000.

Subsequent instalments are subject to the applicable academic performance requirements and submission of project progress reports endorsed by the project guide. Students should not assume that the maximum amount will be paid automatically, as continued eligibility and the required documentation determine the release of funds. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

IndiaAI PhD Fellowship: Monthly Stipend and Research Grant

The IndiaAI Fellowship also provides financial support for eligible doctoral researchers working on artificial intelligence and related research areas. Unlike the undergraduate and postgraduate categories, the PhD programme includes a monthly fellowship and an annual research grant.

According to the programme details provided in the announcement, eligible PhD candidates can receive the following monthly financial support:

• First and second years: Rs 70,000 per month.
• Third year: Rs 75,000 per month.
• Fourth and fifth years: Rs 80,000 per month.

The monthly amounts include applicable allowances, such as house rent allowance, according to the fellowship information. PhD scholars are also eligible for a research grant of Rs 2 lakh per year, with institutional overheads capped at 10%, as specified in the announcement.

The grant is intended to support research-related expenses. Applicants should check the detailed programme guidelines to understand the permitted uses of the funding, the duration of support and the conditions attached to continued fellowship payments.

Who is eligible for the PhD fellowship?

The official portal states that applicants must have confirmed admission to an eligible PhD programme and be newly enrolled in the first year. Their research must focus on AI or an allied field, and they must meet the specified academic criteria.

The published requirements include an undergraduate CGPA of at least 8.0 or 80%, or a postgraduate CGPA of at least 7.5 or 75%, as applicable. The programme also specifies full-time enrolment and nationality requirements. Candidates should verify the complete conditions, including any restrictions relating to other fellowships and eligible institutions, before applying. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Additional Rs 1 Lakh Support for International AI Conferences

In addition to the main fellowship funding, eligible students may receive one-time financial support of up to Rs 1 lakh for travel and accommodation expenses associated with presenting research at an international AI conference.

The benefit applies to students whose AI research papers are accepted at qualifying international conferences with an h5 rating above 100, subject to the programme’s terms. The additional support is intended to help researchers present their work to an international audience and participate in academic discussions.

Conference support is separate from the standard fellowship amount. However, students should check the official rules concerning qualifying conferences, acceptance documentation, eligible expenses and the process for claiming assistance before making travel arrangements.

Documents Required for the IndiaAI Fellowship Application

Applicants should prepare the documents required for their category before starting the application or nomination process. The official fellowship portal lists several documents that may be needed to establish academic eligibility, verify the student’s identity and obtain approval for the proposed research.

These generally include:

• Academic marksheets: The required marksheets or academic records for completed semesters, depending on the applicant category.
• Project-guide endorsement: A signed and stamped endorsement letter from the professor or project guide supervising the research.
• Institutional endorsement: A signed and stamped endorsement from the head of the institution, head of department, registrar or other authorised official, as required.
• Bank account proof: A cancelled cheque or the relevant passbook page showing the student’s bank account details.
• Photograph: A recent passport-size photograph in an accepted image format.
• Additional academic documents: Other records required for the relevant category, such as postgraduate or doctoral academic records. A GATE scorecard may be optional for certain applicants.

The precise document list differs across undergraduate, postgraduate, Integrated Dual Degree and PhD applicants. Students should download or review the relevant guidelines and use the prescribed endorsement formats wherever required. Missing, incomplete or incorrectly endorsed documents may affect the processing of an application. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

How to Apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27

Eligible students can begin by visiting the official IndiaAI Fellowship portal and reviewing the instructions for their academic category. The application process requires candidates to check their eligibility and prepare the required documents and endorsements.

Applicants can follow these general steps:

1. Visit the official website: https://fellowship.indiaai.gov.in/.
2. Open the eligibility information and identify the requirements applicable to your programme.
3. Check the academic-stage, marks, coursework and research-project conditions.
4. Prepare the required academic records, bank account proof, photograph and endorsement letters.
5. Complete the application or nomination process according to the portal’s instructions.
6. Review the information and supporting documents before submitting the application.
7. Keep a record of the submission and monitor official communications for any further instructions.

Students should submit their applications by the announced deadline of November 30, 2026. Since the required process and documents may differ between categories, the official website should be treated as the primary source for application instructions.

What Is the IndiaAI Mission?

The IndiaAI Mission is a government initiative intended to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence capabilities and support the development of an AI ecosystem. It covers areas including AI infrastructure, access to computing resources, innovation, research and the development of skilled professionals.

The IndiaAI Fellowship forms part of the wider effort to build an AI-skilled workforce by helping eligible students gain practical research experience. Financial assistance can help students devote time to research projects, develop technical expertise and explore applications of AI across different disciplines.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education, language technologies, scientific research and business operations. Supporting students working in these fields can help expand the pool of researchers and innovators capable of developing solutions for Indian needs.

The fellowship is therefore relevant not only to students pursuing conventional computer science or engineering degrees but also to eligible candidates from other academic backgrounds who undertake qualifying AI-related research.

IndiaAI Fellowship 2026: Important Points for Applicants

• The application deadline announced for the 2026–27 cycle is November 30, 2026.
• UG and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to Rs 1 lakh, subject to eligibility and programme conditions.
• PG students can receive up to Rs 2 lakh, with the available amount depending partly on the semester of entry.
• Eligible PhD scholars can receive monthly support of Rs 70,000, Rs 75,000 or Rs 80,000 according to their year of research.
• PhD scholars are also eligible for a research grant of Rs 2 lakh per year under the stated conditions.
• Eligible students may receive additional support of up to Rs 1 lakh for presenting research at qualifying international AI conferences.
• Academic records, project-guide endorsements and institutional approvals are important parts of the application process.
• Applicants should check the official portal for the latest eligibility criteria, documentation requirements and submission instructions.

Conclusion

The IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27 offers financial assistance to eligible students pursuing artificial intelligence-related projects and research. Under the programme, undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to Rs 1 lakh, while postgraduate students can receive up to Rs 2 lakh, depending on their academic stage and the applicable rules.

The initiative also supports eligible PhD researchers through monthly fellowship payments and annual research grants. Additional assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh may be available to students presenting qualifying AI research papers at international conferences.

Interested candidates should review the eligibility criteria, prepare the required documents and complete the application process through the official IndiaAI Fellowship portal before November 30, 2026. Checking the latest instructions directly with the programme is essential to ensure that the application meets the requirements for the relevant academic category.