Gandhi Fellowship 2026: Eligibility, Stipend, Duration, How to Apply

The Gandhi Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious 23-month full-time immersive leadership programme designed for young graduates who want to create real impact while transforming themselves. The fellowship is widely known for placing young leaders in challenging field environments where they work on complex social and systemic issues across India.

Over the years, the Gandhi Fellowship has built a strong reputation as one of India’s most recognized leadership fellowships in the development space. It is designed not just as a job or internship, but as a journey of self-discovery, resilience, problem-solving, collaboration, and nation-building.

What is Gandhi Fellowship 2026?

The Gandhi Fellowship is a residential and field-based leadership development programme that helps young people learn directly from the realities of India. Fellows are placed in real-world contexts where they engage with institutions, communities, systems, and local challenges while learning to lead change.

The programme began in 2008 and has since developed a large alumni network of fellows who have gone on to work in the development sector, government consulting, entrepreneurship, corporate roles, media, and social impact organisations. The fellowship focuses heavily on experiential learning, exposure to Bharat beyond metropolitan comfort zones, and developing twenty-first-century leadership skills.

Gandhi Fellowship 2026: Overview

Eligibility Criteria

The public-facing Gandhi Fellowship pages do not always display a rigid, one-line eligibility table in the same way scholarship portals do, but the programme is clearly designed for young graduates who are ready to commit to an intensive full-time fellowship journey.

Instead of focusing only on marks or a narrow academic profile, the fellowship appears to value adaptability, commitment, self-awareness, resilience, and openness to difficult field realities.

What Do Gandhi Fellows Do?

Gandhi Fellows work in real-life, high-learning environments where they develop an understanding of self, society, and systems. The fellowship is built around experiential learning rather than classroom-only training.

Depending on programme and project assignments, fellows may work closely with institutions, field teams, community stakeholders, local systems, and problem-solving initiatives. The exact nature of the role can vary by location, project needs, and organisational priorities.

The fellowship emphasizes:

• Learning from ground realities
• Problem-solving in complex social environments
• Working collaboratively with diverse teams and communities
• Building leadership, resilience, and communication skills
• Developing a strong sense of purpose and public contribution

Gandhi Fellowship Stipend and Benefits

The Gandhi Fellowship is a paid programme. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 24,500. However, the fellowship follows a structured grant model under which Rs. 7,000 per month is retained as a security or reserve amount and is paid out at the end of the term upon successful completion of the fellowship.

This structure shows that the fellowship is designed not only to support basic living needs, but also to cultivate responsibility, mobility, and long-term commitment.

Locations and Residential Nature

The Gandhi Fellowship operates across a large number of Indian states and union territories. Fellows do not directly choose their final location. The placement is decided by the fellowship team based on factors such as candidate fit, educational background, work experience, interests, and recruitment performance.

The location may also change during the fellowship depending on organisational and programme needs. Since this is a residential and field-based fellowship, candidates should apply only if they are genuinely open to relocation, field immersion, and working outside their comfort zone.

How to Apply for Gandhi Fellowship 2026

If you want to apply for Gandhi Fellowship 2026, follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official website at gandhifellowship.org.

Step 2: Click on the Apply Now section available on the official website.

Step 3: Register and complete the online application form with your personal, academic, and motivation details.

Step 4: Pay the application fee, if applicable, as indicated during the online submission process.

Step 5: Submit the form and monitor your email or registered contact details for further communication from the fellowship team.

The exact internal recruitment stages may vary by batch, so candidates should rely on the latest official communication after application submission.

Application Fee

The current application process publicly indicates an application fee. The visible application page shows the following fee structure:

• General Category: Rs. 200
• SC/ST Category: concessional fee as per the application page, if applicable

Candidates should always verify the final payable amount directly on the live application form before submitting payment.

Why Gandhi Fellowship Stands Out

Unlike many programmes that focus only on technical skill-building, Gandhi Fellowship is built around inner transformation and real-world leadership development. It places young people in unfamiliar, demanding situations and pushes them to grow through lived experience.

This makes it attractive for graduates who are looking for more than a standard job and want to understand India deeply, contribute meaningfully, and build the capacity to lead in uncertain environments.

What Happens After the Fellowship?

The fellowship includes support toward career design and future pathways during the later phase of the programme. Fellows are mentored to think about their next steps, whether that means working in the social sector, pursuing entrepreneurship, moving into consulting or policy roles, or building careers in other fields.

The organisation also highlights support such as career guidance, mentorship, mock interviews, CV refinement, and broader post-fellowship opportunity-building through its networks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Gandhi Fellowship 2026 open right now?
Yes, the official website currently states that applications for Batch 2026-28 are open.

Is Gandhi Fellowship a paid programme?
Yes. Fellows receive Rs. 24,500 per month, though part of this amount is retained and released after successful completion of the programme.

What is the duration of Gandhi Fellowship?
The fellowship duration is 23 months.

Do fellows get insurance benefits?
Yes. Medical, life, and accidental insurance are provided during the fellowship period.

Can I choose my own location?
No. Final location is decided by the fellowship team based on multiple factors including candidate fit and programme needs.

Is this only for people from education background?
No. The fellowship is meant for young graduates from varied backgrounds who are ready for an immersive leadership journey.

Is the fellowship safe for women and residential participants?
The official FAQ states that the organisation follows structured support systems and POSH-related protocols during the fellowship.

Contact Information

Official Website: gandhifellowship.org

FAQ Page: Gandhi Fellowship FAQs

Apply Now: Apply via Official Website