Applications invited for the India AI Fellowships

IndiaAI FutureSkills, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, has invited applications for the India AI Fellowships for 2025-26 aimed at Empowering Young Minds for shaping India's AI Future. It’s a student-focused initiative under the IndiaAI Mission to support students involved in AI related projects/research studies and to build an AI-skilled workforce.

The FutureSkills pillar is a cornerstone initiative under the IndiaAI Mission that focuses on building India's AI talent ecosystem and democratizing access to AI education nationwide. This comprehensive program aims to create a robust pipeline of AI-skilled professionals through strategic interventions at various educational levels - from undergraduate to doctoral studies.

The IndiaAI FutureSkills initiative offers fellowships to UG, PG, and PhD students from recognized institutes pursuing AI/ML or allied projects, bridging the gap between theory and practical application to ensure a skilled AI workforce.

Fellowships for UG, Dual Degree, PG and PhD is one of the 3 key areas related to the scheme. It aims to cultivate deep AI expertise, among UG, Dual Degree, PG and PhD students. These fellowships aim to support high-potential talent pursuing advanced studies and research in AI and its applications, to build a strong pipeline of innovators, researchers, and thought leaders in the field.

Only Indian Nationals may apply. For UG, PG and Integrated courses, those pursuing any discipline, including Technical (Engineering and Sciences), Medicine, Law, Commerce, Business, Liberal Arts are eligible to apply. Applicants should undertake projects based on AI and/or any other domains related to AI. Part time students are not eligible to apply.

Eligibility UG: Applicant should be in the final year of their Undergraduate Course. In the case of a 3 year UG program, students can apply after the 4th Semester or after the 2nd year results are out. In case of a 4 year UG program, Students can apply after the 6th Semester or after the 3rd year results are out. Applicants must have completed at least 3 full time courses in AI and must have a CGPA of at least 8.0 or a percentage of 80% in the last completed semester.

Eligibility PG: Applicant needs to have a confirmed admission to a Post Graduate Course. One can apply during the 1st, 2nd or 3rd Semester only. Applicants must have at least 80% or an equivalent grade in their undergraduate degree. Applicants applying during their 2nd or 3rd semester must also have a minimum of 75% in their postgraduate studies up to the last completed semester.

Eligibility Integrated Dual Degree: Applicants must be in the final year of their Undergraduate Course and must have a CGPA of at least 8.0 or an overall percentage of 80% till the last completed semester. Students can apply after 8th Semester or after 4th year results are out. Applicants must have completed at least 3 full time courses in AI.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Applicants: Applicants should have a confirmed admission to a PhD Course. Research Domain must be based on AI and/or any other related field. Applicants have a CGPA of at least 8.0 or 80% during Under Graduate or a CGPA of at least 7.5 or 75% during Post Graduate. Only newly enrolled PhD students (first year) are eligible to apply.

Funding: For UG and Integrated Dual Degree categories, Funding support of up to Rs. 1 lakh will be provided. For PG, Funding support of up to Rs. 2 lakh will be provided for the entire duration of the program. For PhD Candidates, Fellowship amounts will be Rs. 70,000/- per month for the first 2 years, Rs. 75,000/- per month for the 3rd year and Rs. 80,000/- for the 4th year & 5th year. These will be lumpsum monthly fellowship amounts and will include allowances like HRA, etc. In addition, research scholars will be eligible for a research grant of Rs. 2 lakhs per year.

Additional benefits: For all categories, any student, whose paper is selected for any international conference in the field of AI with a h5 rating of more than 100 will be eligible for a one-time funding support up to Rs. 1 lakh towards their travel and/or accommodation cost.

Details of the scheme are available at https://fellowship.indiaai.gov.in/login. Applications can be submitted online at this link latest by 30th November, 2025. List of documents required from each category of applicants is also given at the link.

The different stages related to the application submission process are given at the website.