The IndiaAI Fellowship 2026-27 offers financial support to eligible Indian students pursuing artificial intelligence (AI) research and related projects. Introduced under the IndiaAI Mission, the programme supports undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral-level research, helping students develop practical AI skills while working on research-based projects.
IndiaAI Fellowship 2026: Latest Application Update
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through the IndiaAI Mission, has announced the application process for the 2026-27 fellowship cycle. According to the latest announcement reported by The Indian Express, the application deadline is November 30, 2026. Eligible undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh, while postgraduate students may receive up to ₹2 lakh, depending on their academic stage.
The programme is designed to encourage students to work on AI-related research and applications rather than limiting their learning to classroom theory. Applicants should check the official IndiaAI Fellowship portal for the latest eligibility rules, documentation requirements and application instructions before submitting their details.
What Is the IndiaAI Fellowship Programme?
The IndiaAI Fellowship is part of the broader IndiaAI Mission, a government initiative focused on strengthening India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. The fellowship aims to support students interested in developing AI-based solutions, conducting research and applying technical knowledge to real-world problems.
AI research can cover several areas, including machine learning, language technologies, computer vision, data analysis and other related fields. Depending on their academic discipline and project, students may explore applications in healthcare, agriculture, education, business and public services.
The programme is relevant to students outside traditional engineering courses as well. The official fellowship information lists disciplines such as medicine, commerce, law, business and liberal arts among those that may qualify for undergraduate and postgraduate support, subject to the applicable conditions.
IndiaAI Fellowship 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility depends on the course, semester, academic performance and nature of the research project. Meeting the academic requirements does not automatically guarantee selection.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the programme’s academic and project-related requirements. The published criteria include:
- Indian nationality and full-time undergraduate enrolment.
- An AI-related project or research activity.
- Completion of at least three full-time AI courses.
- A minimum CGPA of 8.0 or 80% in the last completed semester, as specified by the programme.
- Eligibility linked to the stage of study, generally the beginning of the fifth semester for a three-year degree or the seventh semester for a four-year degree.
Students pursuing a five-year Integrated Dual Degree programme may be eligible from the beginning of the ninth semester. Applicants should confirm the precise requirements for their course structure on the official portal.
Postgraduate Students
Students enrolled in postgraduate programmes can apply during the first, second or third semester, subject to the programme rules.
The published eligibility conditions include at least 80% or an equivalent grade in the undergraduate degree. Students applying in their second or third postgraduate semester must also meet the minimum postgraduate academic requirement, including 75% in completed semesters where applicable.
Applicants must be full-time students working on AI-related projects. Their eligibility and funding may depend on the semester in which they enter the programme.
PhD Scholars
The IndiaAI Fellowship programme also lists support for doctoral researchers working in AI and related fields. The published criteria include confirmed PhD admission, first-year enrolment, full-time study and specified academic performance in previous degrees.
However, doctoral applications may follow separate eligibility and application arrangements. Students seeking PhD funding should verify that the current application window covers their category before proceeding, rather than assuming that the undergraduate and postgraduate deadline applies to every doctoral applicant.
IndiaAI Fellowship 2026 Benefits and Financial Assistance
One of the programme’s main attractions is financial assistance for eligible research projects. The amount varies according to the student’s academic level and the applicable funding conditions.
Undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to ₹1 lakh. Postgraduate students may receive up to ₹2 lakh, depending on their entry semester and eligibility. The support is not necessarily paid as a single lump sum. The programme’s published guidelines describe instalment-based payments linked to academic performance and project progress.
Eligible PhD scholars are listed for a different funding structure: ₹70,000 per month during the first two years, ₹75,000 per month in the third year, and ₹80,000 per month in the fourth and fifth years. The published information also provides for a research grant of ₹2 lakh per year, subject to the programme’s terms.
An additional one-time amount of up to ₹1 lakh may be available to eligible students whose AI research papers are accepted at qualifying international conferences with an h5 rating above 100. This support is intended to help cover travel and accommodation expenses. Applicants must verify the relevant conditions before relying on this benefit.
Documents Required for the IndiaAI Fellowship
Applicants should prepare their academic and institutional documents before beginning the application process. Requirements can vary by academic category, so the official checklist should take priority.
The published guidelines list the following documents for relevant applicant groups:
- Academic marksheets and records from completed semesters or degrees.
- An endorsement letter signed and stamped by the project guide on official institutional letterhead.
- An endorsement letter from the institute head, Head of Department or registrar, as required.
- A cancelled cheque or the cover page of a bank passbook showing an account in the student’s name.
- A recent passport-size photograph in an accepted image format.
- Additional academic documents, such as a GATE scorecard where relevant or requested.
PhD applicants may need consolidated undergraduate and postgraduate marksheets. Ensure that names and academic details match across documents, and use the prescribed endorsement formats wherever provided.
How to Apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026
Students should begin by visiting the official portal at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in. The following preparation steps can help applicants avoid incomplete submissions.
First, identify the correct category: undergraduate, Integrated Dual Degree, postgraduate or PhD. Check the course duration, semester requirement and academic criteria for that category.
Second, review the current application instructions and confirm whether the process requires institutional nomination or registration through a designated institute. The programme’s published guidelines refer to institutional endorsement and nomination arrangements, so students should consult their institute’s relevant coordinator or nodal officer where necessary.
Third, identify an eligible AI-related research project and coordinate with the project guide. Obtain the required endorsement letters and prepare marksheets, bank details and other supporting documents in the specified formats.
Finally, complete the application or nomination process according to the current official instructions. Review all information before submission and retain any acknowledgement or reference details provided. Do not wait until the final day to resolve missing documents or institutional approvals.
The reported deadline for the 2026-27 application cycle is November 30, 2026. Since programme instructions and category-specific arrangements can change, applicants should confirm the latest date and status directly on the official portal.
Why the IndiaAI Fellowship Matters for Students
The fellowship can help students turn academic learning into practical research experience. Working on an AI project may allow them to develop technical skills, document research findings and explore how artificial intelligence can address problems in their chosen fields.
For students in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the opportunity may be particularly useful if their institutions provide suitable research guidance and access to the required computing resources. However, access to funding depends on eligibility, institutional requirements and selection. Students should evaluate their project’s feasibility and discuss research supervision with their institute before applying.
The programme also highlights the growing importance of AI expertise across disciplines. Students in medicine, commerce, law and other fields may be able to explore AI applications relevant to their studies, provided their proposed work meets the fellowship’s criteria.
Key Takeaways
- The IndiaAI Fellowship 2026-27 supports eligible students working on AI-related research and projects.
- Undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to ₹1 lakh, while postgraduate students can receive up to ₹2 lakh.
- Published PhD support includes monthly fellowship payments and a research grant, subject to separate eligibility conditions.
- The reported application deadline is November 30, 2026. Check the official portal for the latest rules, documents and category-specific deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026?
The reported deadline for the 2026-27 application cycle is November 30, 2026. Applicants should confirm the date and current application status on the official IndiaAI Fellowship portal.
2. How much financial assistance can students receive?
Eligible undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to ₹1 lakh, while postgraduate students can receive up to ₹2 lakh. Funding depends on the academic stage and programme conditions.
3. Can students from commerce, law or medicine apply?
The published eligibility guidelines include several non-engineering disciplines, including commerce, law and medicine, for relevant undergraduate and postgraduate categories. Applicants must still meet the academic, full-time enrolment and AI-project requirements.
4. Where can students apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship?
Students should visit fellowship.indiaai.gov.in to review the official eligibility criteria, application instructions and required documents. They should also consult their institution if nomination or endorsement is required.