Applications have opened for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27, offering financial assistance to eligible students pursuing artificial intelligence research and innovation in India. Under the programme, undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) students can receive up to ₹1 lakh, while eligible postgraduate students can receive up to ₹2 lakh. An additional grant of up to ₹1 lakh is available for qualifying research presentations at international conferences. The application deadline is November 30, 2026.
The fellowship is part of the Government of India’s IndiaAI Mission, which aims to strengthen the country’s artificial intelligence research ecosystem and develop a larger pool of AI talent. The programme supports students working on research projects rather than providing an unconditional cash award to everyone studying technology. Applicants must meet the academic, programme and research requirements applicable to their category, and funding is released in stages subject to the scheme’s conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Applications open: IndiaAI Fellowship applications for the 2026–27 academic session are being accepted.
- Undergraduate funding: Eligible undergraduate and IDD students can receive up to ₹1 lakh.
- Postgraduate funding: Eligible postgraduate students can receive up to ₹2 lakh.
- Conference assistance: An additional grant of up to ₹1 lakh may be available for qualifying international conference presentations.
- Application deadline: November 30, 2026.
- Eligible disciplines: Students from fields including engineering, science, medicine, law, commerce, business and liberal arts may qualify, subject to programme requirements.
- Official portal: Applications and eligibility information are available at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in.
What Is the IndiaAI Fellowship?
The IndiaAI Fellowship is a government-backed initiative intended to support students undertaking research in artificial intelligence and related areas. It forms part of the IndiaAI Mission, a broader programme designed to strengthen India’s AI capabilities, encourage innovation and expand access to AI education and research.
Artificial intelligence research can involve areas such as machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, data analytics and the development of AI applications. Research may also focus on applying these technologies to practical challenges in healthcare, education, agriculture, public services, business and other sectors.
The fellowship provides financial assistance to help eligible students pursue research projects during their studies. The support is intended to encourage research activity, help students develop their ideas and enable promising projects to progress beyond classroom assignments.
The initiative is not limited exclusively to students enrolled in computer science or engineering. Students in other disciplines may also be eligible if their programmes, research projects and academic records satisfy the applicable requirements.
However, applicants should distinguish between general interest in AI and eligibility for a research fellowship. The programme requires an appropriate academic enrolment and research project, along with the specified coursework, academic performance and institutional endorsements.
How Much Money Can Students Receive?
The amount of financial support depends on the student’s academic category and stage of study.
| Student category | Maximum financial support |
|---|---|
| Eligible undergraduate students | ₹1 lakh |
| Eligible Integrated Dual Degree students | ₹1 lakh |
| Eligible postgraduate students | ₹2 lakh |
| Qualifying international conference presentation | Additional ₹1 lakh |
These are maximum amounts. The support available to an individual applicant depends on the applicable eligibility criteria, semester of enrolment and programme conditions.
Undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students
Eligible undergraduate and IDD students can receive up to ₹1 lakh during the relevant final stage of their programmes. The published guidelines describe the undergraduate support as two instalments of ₹50,000 each, subject to the required academic performance and project reporting.
For eligible four-year undergraduate programmes, the fellowship is associated with the beginning of the seventh semester. For a five-year Integrated Dual Degree programme, the corresponding entry point is the beginning of the ninth semester.
The exact eligibility requirements should be checked against the current application guidelines before submitting a nomination.
Postgraduate students
Eligible postgraduate students can receive up to ₹2 lakh. Under the published funding structure, students entering at the beginning of the first semester may qualify for up to ₹2 lakh, distributed in four instalments of ₹50,000 each.
The maximum available amount may be lower for students applying later in their postgraduate programme. The guidelines specify up to ₹1.5 lakh for eligible applicants entering at the beginning of the second semester and up to ₹1 lakh for those entering at the beginning of the third semester.
Subsequent instalments depend on the relevant academic performance and project-progress requirements.
Additional international conference support
Students whose eligible research papers or projects are accepted for presentation at qualifying international conferences may receive a one-time grant of up to ₹1 lakh for travel and accommodation.
This support is conditional rather than automatic. The published guidelines specify requirements concerning the conference and publisher, so applicants should verify that their intended event qualifies before relying on the additional funding.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility depends on the degree being pursued, the student’s semester, academic performance and the nature of the research.
The current application announcement identifies the following semester entry points:
| Programme | Relevant stage of study |
|---|---|
| Three-year undergraduate degree | Beginning of the fifth semester |
| Four-year undergraduate degree | Beginning of the seventh semester |
| Five-year Integrated Dual Degree | Beginning of the ninth semester |
| Postgraduate degree | First, second or third semester |
The programme is intended for eligible full-time students undertaking AI-related research. The semester requirement is only one part of the assessment; applicants must also satisfy the applicable academic and project conditions.
Academic performance and AI coursework
The published IndiaAI Fellowship guidelines specify academic requirements that applicants should review carefully.
For undergraduate applicants, the guidelines include an overall score of at least 80% or an equivalent grade through the last completed semester, alongside completion of at least three full-time AI-related courses by the final semester.
Examples of relevant courses include:
- Fundamentals of artificial intelligence
- Machine learning and neural networks
- Computer vision
- Natural language processing
- Data science and data analytics
- Data and data-management systems
Postgraduate applicants must also satisfy the relevant academic criteria. The published guidelines specify minimum undergraduate marks of 80% or an equivalent grade, with additional postgraduate performance requirements for applicants who have progressed beyond the first semester.
Students should confirm how these requirements apply to their specific category using the latest official documents. Meeting the semester requirement alone does not guarantee eligibility or selection.
Can Students From Non-Engineering Backgrounds Apply?
Yes, the programme is not restricted to engineering students.
The published guidelines identify disciplines such as medicine, law, commerce, business and liberal arts alongside engineering and science. Students from these fields may qualify if they are pursuing an eligible programme, meet the required academic and AI-coursework conditions, and have a suitable research project.
For example, a medical student might investigate the use of machine learning to support medical-image analysis. A commerce student could study AI applications in financial analysis, while a law student might research responsible AI governance or the use of AI tools in legal services.
These are illustrative research directions, not guaranteed routes to selection. Applicants must ensure their projects meet the programme’s requirements and have the necessary institutional support.
How to Apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27
Students should begin by reviewing the official eligibility criteria and identifying the correct application process for their academic category.
The application portal is available at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in.
The published guidelines indicate that applications require institutional involvement and project endorsements. Students should therefore begin preparing their documents early rather than waiting until the final days of the application window.
A practical application checklist includes:
- Check eligibility: Confirm the eligible semester, academic performance, AI coursework and programme requirements.
- Identify a research project: Prepare an AI-related research proposal that fits the fellowship’s objectives.
- Contact a project guide: Discuss the proposed work with an appropriate professor or academic supervisor.
- Obtain institutional endorsements: The published guidelines require endorsements from the project guide and the relevant department or institutional authority.
- Prepare academic records: Keep the required marksheets and other supporting documents ready.
- Complete the official application: Follow the instructions on the IndiaAI Fellowship portal and submit the required nomination or application materials.
- Track the deadline: Submit all required documents by November 30, 2026, as stated in the current announcement.
Applicants should use the latest portal instructions to confirm the exact documents, formats and submission procedure applicable to their category.
How Is the Fellowship Money Released?
The fellowship is designed to support research over time rather than provide the full maximum amount without conditions.
For undergraduate and postgraduate students, the published guidelines describe staged payments linked to eligibility and academic progress. Applicants may need to provide updated grade sheets, research progress reports and endorsements from their project guides before subsequent instalments are released.
This arrangement helps ensure that the financial support continues to serve the intended research purpose. Students should therefore maintain their academic performance and follow their project’s reporting requirements.
The additional international conference grant also has separate conditions. Students should confirm the eligibility of their research paper and conference before making travel arrangements or assuming that expenses will be reimbursed.
Receiving an application acknowledgement does not mean that a fellowship has been awarded. Funding is subject to the programme’s selection process, available support and applicable terms.
Why the Fellowship Matters for India’s AI Ecosystem
India’s AI sector needs researchers and professionals who can develop, evaluate and responsibly deploy AI systems. Financial support for student research can help participants gain experience with research methods, datasets, experiments and technical problem-solving.
It can also encourage students from different disciplines to explore how AI may be applied to problems in their own fields. This is increasingly relevant as AI tools are used in areas ranging from medical research and education to financial services and public administration.
The fellowship is one part of the broader IndiaAI Mission, which includes initiatives related to computing capacity, datasets, innovation, skills and safe and trusted AI. Supporting student research can contribute to that ecosystem by helping develop a pipeline of researchers and innovators.
Nevertheless, the value of a fellowship depends on the quality of the research, the mentorship available and the student’s ability to complete the project. Financial assistance is a means of supporting research, not a substitute for the work and academic requirements involved.
The Bigger Picture
The IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27 offers eligible students a route to obtain financial support for AI research, with maximum assistance of ₹1 lakh for undergraduate and IDD students and ₹2 lakh for postgraduate students. An additional grant may support qualifying international conference presentations. The programme’s academic and research requirements mean that applicants should assess eligibility carefully rather than rely only on the headline funding amounts.
For India, the initiative forms part of a wider effort to expand AI research and develop talent across disciplines. For students, the immediate priorities are to identify an appropriate project, work with an eligible academic supervisor, prepare the required documents and follow the official application instructions before the deadline.
Looking Ahead
The next important date for applicants is November 30, 2026, the deadline stated in the current IndiaAI Fellowship announcement. Students interested in applying should review the latest official guidelines and confirm their eligibility as early as possible, particularly because academic endorsements and project documentation may take time to arrange.
The programme’s broader impact will depend on the research projects it supports and the extent to which students can turn their work into useful findings, publications or practical applications. For eligible students interested in AI research, the fellowship provides a potential source of financial support, but selection and continued funding remain subject to the scheme’s conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship 2026–27?
The announced deadline is November 30, 2026. Applicants should confirm the latest instructions on the official fellowship portal before submitting their documents.
2. How much funding can undergraduate students receive?
Eligible undergraduate and Integrated Dual Degree students can receive up to ₹1 lakh, subject to the applicable academic and research requirements.
3. Can postgraduate students receive ₹2 lakh?
Yes. Eligible postgraduate students entering at the beginning of the first semester may qualify for up to ₹2 lakh. The maximum support can be lower for applicants entering in later semesters.
4. Is the fellowship available only to engineering students?
No. The published guidelines include eligible students from disciplines such as science, medicine, law, commerce, business and liberal arts, provided they meet the programme’s academic, coursework and research conditions.
5. Is additional funding available for international conferences?
Eligible students whose research papers or projects are accepted at qualifying international conferences may receive a one-time grant of up to ₹1 lakh for travel and accommodation, subject to the programme’s rules.
6. Where can students apply?
Students can review the eligibility requirements and access the application process through the official IndiaAI Fellowship portal.
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