Applications are invited for the Ashoka University Young India Fellowship 2025-26. The last date for the application is March 10, 2025.
About Ashoka University
Ashoka University is named after Emperor Ashoka (c. 304 – 232 BC), who embodies the highest values and ideals of India. Known for his commitment to liberal thought and education, Emperor Ashoka’s teachings, or dhamma, were centered around self-transformation and spreading ideas of peace and wisdom across Asia.
As a trailblazer in liberal education, Ashoka University offers a world-class academic experience. The university’s mission is to nurture well-rounded individuals who are equipped to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with a strong sense of public service and responsibility.
Fellowship Details
Started in 2011, the Young India Fellowship (YIF) grooms socially conscious leaders and change-makers for the 21st century. Offered as Ashoka University’s flagship residential postgraduate diploma in Liberal Studies, the YIF is unlike any other graduate academic programme. It exposes Fellows to a multidisciplinary and multidimensional curriculum, through which they get access to diverse areas of study, research and practice within a year. This often helps Fellows reimagine themselves and discover or strengthen their areas of interest. It also prepares them to solve complex problems using a multidisciplinary approach, no matter what they do in their lives.
The YIF Class of 2026 will comprise around 100 bright, curious and outstanding individuals from India and abroad, who will be handpicked through a rigorous and holistic selection process. The interdisciplinary programme will educate and nurture Fellows to solve the most pertinent problems that will ultimately create a better world. Fellows receive a post-graduate diploma in Liberal Studies from Ashoka University upon graduating and contribute to sustaining a lifelong learning-focused alumni community. Each Fellow in the Class of 2026 will receive partial or full financial support.
Ashoka University Young India Fellowship 2025-26
Key Components
The YIF is designed to provide a well-rounded, holistic learning experience. Its core elements include:
- Multidisciplinary and Interdisciplinary Courses: Courses spanning various domains that encourage Fellows to broaden their knowledge and engage in critical thinking across different areas.
- Critical Inquiry and Expression: The CIE sharpens your analytical and communication abilities, promoting a deeper understanding of complex subjects.
- Immersive Experiential Learning: Through the Experiential Learning Module (ELM), Fellows collaborate with Partner Organisations on real-world projects, gaining valuable practical experience.
- Holistic Learning and Engagement: The programme focuses on peer learning, fostering meaningful interactions between Fellows, and offers opportunities to connect with alumni, guest speakers, and mentors. Fellows also receive mentorship to guide their personal and professional development.
Eligibility
Applicants should have completed a recognised undergraduate degree or equivalent in any discipline. Final year undergraduate students who will complete their degree or equivalent in the summer of 2025 are also eligible to apply.
Note
- Final year students, working professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers, postgraduates, as well as individuals preparing for competitive exams or taking a gap year, are all eligible to apply.
- The program welcomes applications from individuals of all age groups, and encourages diversity in academic, professional, geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Duration
The YIF is a one-year, full-time residential programme.
How to Apply?
Interested individuals can apply online via this link.
Application Deadline
The last date of application is March 10, 2025.
Contact
Email: yifadmissions[at]ashoka[dot]edu[dot]in
