Updated: 28 October 2026
Quick Facts
Quick Facts: IndiaAI Fellowship 2026 | Official site: fellowship.indiaai.gov.in | Deadline: 30 November 2026
URGENT – 33 days left on 28 October 2026: Applications close on 30 November 2026. Apply before it closes. Do not wait until the last day.
Semester-Window and Amount Table
| Level | Entry window | Amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| UG, 3-year programme | From the 5th semester | Up to Rs 1 lakh | AI project funding |
| UG, 4-year programme | From the 7th semester | Up to Rs 1 lakh | AI project funding |
| Integrated Dual Degree (IDD), 5-year programme | From the 9th semester | Up to Rs 1 lakh | AI project funding |
| PG | Semesters 1 to 3 | Up to Rs 2 lakh | AI project funding |
| PhD (Research Fellowship) | PhD scholars | Rs 70,000 per month in years 1-2; Rs 75,000 per month in year 3; Rs 80,000 per month in year 4 | Monthly fellowship, plus a research grant of up to Rs 2 lakh per year |
| International conference support | Separate support | Up to Rs 1 lakh (one-time) | International conference support, separate from the main fellowship amount |
Eligibility and How to Apply
Eligibility: full-time UG, IDD and PG students and PhD scholars in the semester windows above, working on AI-related projects or research. Check the full guidelines on the official portal before applying.
- Open fellowship.indiaai.gov.in.
- Choose your category: UG, IDD, PG or PhD.
- Read the eligibility and guidelines for your category.
- Prepare your documents and endorsement letters.
- Complete and submit the online form before 30 November 2026.
New FAQs
Who can apply by semester? 3-year UG from the 5th semester, 4-year UG from the 7th semester, 5-year IDD from the 9th semester, and PG students in semesters 1 to 3.
How much funding is available by level? UG and IDD up to Rs 1 lakh; PG up to Rs 2 lakh; PhD Rs 70,000 per month in years 1-2, Rs 75,000 per month in year 3 and Rs 80,000 per month in year 4, plus a research grant of up to Rs 2 lakh per year.
What is the deadline? 30 November 2026.
What is the PhD ladder? Rs 70,000 per month, then Rs 75,000 per month, then Rs 80,000 per month, as above.
Is there international conference support? Yes, up to Rs 1 lakh as one-time international conference support, separate from the main fellowship amount.
Dreaming of a career in Artificial Intelligence but worried about funding your research? The IndiaAI Fellowship 2026 could be exactly what you need. Applications are now open for the 2026-27 cycle, covering undergraduate, postgraduate and even PhD scholars. In this guide, we explain what the fellowship is, how much money each category gets, who is eligible, which documents you need, how to apply step by step, and the common mistakes that get applications rejected. Read till the end – there is also a FAQ section answering the questions students ask most.
What Is the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026? – At a Glance
The IndiaAI Fellowship is a national fellowship programme run under the IndiaAI Mission of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. Its goal is simple: no student doing genuine AI research in India should have to stop for lack of money. If you are working on an AI-related project or research, the government directly funds your work.
The IndiaAI Mission itself is a large national ecosystem built on seven strategic pillars – democratising access to computing, developing indigenous AI capabilities, attracting top talent, supporting startups, and advancing ethical, socially impactful AI, among others. The fellowship is the Mission’s talent-building arm (the FutureSkills initiative) – a concrete step toward creating an AI-skilled workforce for the country.
While earlier rounds focused mainly on undergraduates, the 2026-27 cycle (Academic Year 2026-27) has a wider scope: UG, Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) and PG students, plus a separate Research Fellowship for PhD scholars. The last date to apply is 30 November 2026, and applications are submitted online at the official portal fellowship.indiaai.gov.in.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship name | IndiaAI Fellowship 2026-27 (AY 2026-27) |
| Conducted by | IndiaAI Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Govt. of India |
| Who can apply | UG, Integrated Dual Degree (IDD), PG students and PhD scholars |
| UG / IDD funding | Up to Rs 1 lakh |
| PG funding | Up to Rs 2 lakh |
| PhD monthly stipend | Rs 70,000 – Rs 80,000 per month (year-wise) |
| PhD research grant | Rs 2 lakh per year + contingency support up to Rs 10 lakh |
| International conference support | Up to Rs 1 lakh (one-time) |
| Application deadline | 30 November 2026 |
| Official portal | fellowship.indiaai.gov.in |
How Much Funding Will You Get? – Complete Category-wise Breakdown
The first question everyone asks: how much money? It depends on your level of study. Note that this is not a one-time prize – funds are released in instalments (tranches), and every instalment after the first is linked to your academic performance and a project progress report endorsed by your guide.
For UG and Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) Students – Up to Rs 1 Lakh
Undergraduate and five-year Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to Rs 1 lakh for AI-related projects. The money can cover project expenses – data, tools, computing resources or research material – so that a tight budget never kills a good idea.
For PG Students – Up to Rs 2 Lakh (Semester-wise Tranches)
Postgraduate students get the highest funding – up to Rs 2 lakh. But here is the important part: the amount depends on the semester in which you enter the fellowship. Each instalment is Rs 50,000:
| Semester of entry | Total funding | Number of instalments |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Up to Rs 2 lakh | 4 instalments x Rs 50,000 |
| Second semester | Up to Rs 1.5 lakh | 3 instalments x Rs 50,000 |
| Third semester | Up to Rs 1 lakh | 2 instalments x Rs 50,000 |
The message is clear – the earlier you apply, the more funding you can receive. Subsequent instalments are released only if you meet the prescribed academic performance criteria and submit the required progress reports. Do not assume the maximum amount is automatic; you have to keep earning it.
For PhD Scholars – Monthly Stipend + Research Grant
PhD researchers get the biggest package under the IndiaAI Research Fellowship: a monthly stipend that rises with each year of research:
| PhD year | Monthly stipend |
|---|---|
| First and second year | Rs 70,000 per month |
| Third year | Rs 75,000 per month |
| Fourth and fifth year | Rs 80,000 per month |
The monthly amount includes allowances such as HRA. On top of this, scholars receive a research grant of up to Rs 2 lakh per year (institutional overheads capped at 10%) and contingency support of up to Rs 10 lakh in total for major research expenses.
Extra Rs 1 Lakh for International Conferences
If your AI research paper is accepted at a reputed international conference with an h5-index above 100, you may receive one-time support of up to Rs 1 lakh toward travel and accommodation. This is separate from the main fellowship amount – check the official guidelines for qualifying conferences and the claim process.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility by Category
Here is the good news: this fellowship is not limited to engineering students. As per the official information, students from engineering, science, medicine, law, commerce, business and liberal arts can all apply – provided their project or research is related to AI or an allied field. Part-time students cannot apply; only full-time students are eligible.
| Category | When to apply | Key conditions |
|---|---|---|
| UG (3-year programme) | After completing the 4th semester / once 2nd-year results are out | At least 3 full-time AI courses completed; minimum CGPA/marks condition in the last completed semester (see guidelines); AI-related project |
| UG (4-year programme) | After completing the 6th semester / once 3rd-year results are out | At least 3 full-time AI courses completed; minimum academic performance condition; AI-related project |
| Integrated Dual Degree (5-year) | After the 8th semester / at the start of the 9th semester | Full-time enrolment; AI coursework and academic performance conditions; AI-related research project |
| PG | During the 1st, 2nd or 3rd semester | At least 3 full-time AI courses; minimum 80% marks or equivalent grade in UG; PG performance condition for 2nd/3rd-semester applicants |
| PhD (Research Fellowship) | Newly enrolled / first-year full-time PhD scholars | At least 8.0 CGPA (80%) in UG or 7.5 CGPA (75%) in PG; research in AI or allied field; nationality and other conditions apply |
One important caution: exact marks and semester conditions can vary slightly between cycles, so always read the latest category-wise guidelines at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in before applying. Also check your university’s academic calendar, since semester timelines differ across institutions.
Document Checklist – Keep These Ready Before You Start
Documents are where most applications get stuck. Here is the list asked for on the official portal – scan everything and keep it in one folder before filling the form:
- Academic marksheets: Marksheets or grade records (original) for completed semesters.
- Project guide endorsement letter: Signed and stamped letter from the professor guiding your research – on the institution’s official letterhead, in the prescribed format.
- Institutional endorsement letter: Signed and stamped letter from the head of the institution, Head of Department (HoD) or Registrar.
- Bank account proof: A cancelled cheque or the first page of your passbook – the account must be in the student’s own name.
- Photograph: A recent passport-size photograph (.jpg, .jpeg or .png format).
- GATE scorecard (optional): PG applicants may optionally submit their original GATE scorecard – it strengthens the application.
- Other category-specific documents: PhD applicants may need additional records such as doctoral enrolment proof.
Use the prescribed endorsement formats given on the portal – do not submit a self-drafted letter. Missing or improperly verified documents can stall your application.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step Process
The entire application is online. Follow these steps in order:
- Open the official portal: Go to fellowship.indiaai.gov.in on your phone or computer. Do not fall for agents or lookalike websites – applications happen only on this portal.
- Select your category: The portal has separate sections for UG, IDD, PG and PhD (Research Fellowship). Open the one matching your level of study.
- Read the eligibility and guidelines carefully: Before starting, read the full guidelines for your category – semester condition, marks condition, coursework condition.
- Prepare your documents: Keep marksheets, both endorsement letters (guide + institution), bank proof and photograph ready as per the checklist above. Endorsement letters must carry both signature and stamp.
- Fill the application/nomination form: Complete the online form as per the portal’s instructions, entering personal, academic and project/research details accurately.
- Upload documents: Upload documents in the required format and size. Avoid blurry scans – upload clean, legible copies.
- Review and submit: Re-read everything before submitting – name spelling, bank account number, semester details. Corrections later can cost valuable time.
- Save your records: Keep a screenshot or printout of the submission acknowledgement, and watch the official portal and your email for further instructions.
Final tip: Do not wait for the 30 November 2026 deadline. Getting signatures and stamps from your guide and HoD often takes 1-2 weeks – start the process today.
Selection Timeline – What Happens Next?
The official portal has announced the application deadline; the detailed selection schedule will be updated there. The expected sequence is:
- 16 October 2026: IndiaAI (@OfficialINDIAai) announced the opening of applications on X (Twitter).
- 30 November 2026: Last date to apply – no forms accepted after this for the AY 2026-27 cycle.
- December 2026 – January 2027: Scrutiny, document verification and evaluation of applications (expected; await official notice).
- Early 2027: Announcement of selected students and release of the first funding instalment (expected).
Keep checking fellowship.indiaai.gov.in periodically for exact dates.
5 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Application
- Waiting for the last day: Servers can slow down and a missing document may surface too late. Apply at least 2 weeks early.
- Endorsement letter without stamp: The most common rejection reason – a guide or HoD letter without signature or institutional stamp is not valid.
- Someone else’s bank account: The account must be in the student’s own name. Do not attach a parent’s cancelled cheque.
- Treating “up to Rs 2 lakh” as guaranteed: “Up to” means the maximum limit, not a promise. Instalments depend on performance and progress reports.
- Applying through fake websites: Fill the form only at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in and never pay anyone – this is a government fellowship and the application is free.
Important Links
- Official application portal: fellowship.indiaai.gov.in
- IndiaAI Mission: indiaai.gov.in
- Ministry (MeitY): meity.gov.in
Note: if a link does not open on click, type the address manually in your browser’s address bar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026?
The last date to apply is 30 November 2026. Applications for the AY 2026-27 cycle will not be accepted after this date.
2. Can only engineering students apply?
No. Besides engineering, full-time students from science, medicine, law, commerce, business and liberal arts can apply, as long as their project or research is related to AI or an allied field.
3. Will PG students get Rs 2 lakh at once or in instalments?
In instalments of Rs 50,000 each. Entry in the first semester brings 4 instalments (Rs 2 lakh), entry in the second semester brings 3 instalments (Rs 1.5 lakh), and entry in the third semester brings 2 instalments (Rs 1 lakh). Each instalment after the first depends on academic performance and a guide-endorsed progress report.
4. How much stipend do PhD scholars receive?
Rs 70,000/month in years 1-2, Rs 75,000/month in year 3, and Rs 80,000/month in years 4-5 – plus a Rs 2 lakh/year research grant and contingency support of up to Rs 10 lakh.
5. Is there any application fee?
No. This is a Government of India fellowship and applying is free. If any person or website demands money for the application, it is fraud – stay alert.
6. Can part-time or distance-learning students apply?
No. As per the official conditions, part-time students are not eligible – only students enrolled in full-time programmes can apply.
7. What if my paper is accepted at an international conference?
If your AI research paper is accepted at an international conference with an h5-index above 100, you may receive one-time support of up to Rs 1 lakh for travel and accommodation. Check the official guidelines for conditions.
Other Useful Scholarship Guides for Students
- Central Sector Scholarship 2026 – Apply Online, Last Date, Eligibility
- National Scholarship Portal 2026-27 – Online Application Guide
- HDFC Bank Parivartan Scholarship 2026 – Application Process
- PM Scholarship Scheme 2026 – Complete Details
Disclaimer: GramSuvidha is a private information portal, not a government website. Information here is based on official announcements and news sources; please verify the latest guidelines at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in before applying.
