IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026–27: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, and India is rapidly establishing itself as a premier AI innovation powerhouse. Under the umbrella of the IndiaAI Mission—spearheaded by the Digital India Corporation under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)—the Government of India has introduced significant national funding initiatives. Prime among these is the IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026–27, designed to empower students and researchers across India to undertake groundbreaking research, build indigenous AI tools, and solve real-world socio-economic challenges.
Whether you are an undergraduate student working on your capstone project, a postgraduate scholar specializing in machine learning, or a full-time PhD candidate pushing the boundaries of deep learning, this detailed guide covers everything you need to know about the scheme. Below is an in-depth analysis of the eligibility criteria, funding structures, key benefits, and step-by-step application process for the Academic Year 2026–27.
What is the IndiaAI Research Fellowship Scheme?
The IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026–27 scheme is a dedicated funding initiative aimed at democratizing AI research in Indian academic institutions. By removing financial barriers for students, MeitY aims to create a robust pipeline of high-caliber AI talent in fields such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Generative AI, Robotics, Healthcare AI, and Responsible AI.
Unlike traditional academic scholarships, this fellowship provides tiered financial support to candidates across three academic levels:
Undergraduate (UG) and Integrated Dual Degree Students
Postgraduate (PG) Students
PhD Research Scholars (IndiaAI Research Fellowship)
Detailed Financial Benefits and Stipend Structure
The fellowship offers attractive financial stipends, research grants, and travel assistance to help researchers focus entirely on high-impact AI innovation without monetary constraints.
1. Undergraduate (UG) and Integrated Dual Degree Track
Total Assistance: Up to ₹1,00,000
Disbursement Structure: Provided in two equal tranches of ₹50,000.
Applicability: Final-year students completing an AI-centric project or dissertation.
2. Postgraduate (PG) Track
Maximum Assistance: Up to ₹2,00,000
Disbursement by Semester of Application:
1st Semester Applicants: Up to ₹2,00,000 (4 installments of ₹50,000 each)
2nd Semester Applicants: Up to ₹1,50,000 (3 installments of ₹50,000 each)
3rd Semester Applicants: Up to ₹1,00,000 (2 installments of ₹50,000 each)
3. PhD Scholar Track (IndiaAI Research Fellowship)
PhD researchers receive full-time fellowship support for up to five years, structured as follows:
Monthly Stipend:
Years 1 & 2: ₹70,000 per month
Year 3: ₹75,000 per month
Years 4 & 5: ₹80,000 per month
Annual Research Grant: ₹2,00,000 per year (capped at ₹10,00,000 across 5 years), paid directly to the host academic institution to support laboratory equipment, dataset acquisition, computing resources, and contingency expenses.
4. International Conference Travel Assistance
Grant Amount: One-time assistance of up to ₹1,00,000.
Eligibility: Available to fellows whose AI research papers or projects are accepted at top-tier international conferences organized by publishers with an H5-index above 100 (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, ACL).
Coverage: Registration fees, international travel, and accommodation costs.
Eligibility Criteria for IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026–27
To qualify for the fellowship, applicants must fulfill specific academic, institutional, and subject-matter requirements.
General Eligibility
Nationality: Applicants must be Indian nationals.
Mode of Study: Candidates must be enrolled as full-time students in a recognized Indian academic institution. Part-time students or working professionals are not eligible.
Project Focus: The primary domain of research or thesis project must be centered on Artificial Intelligence or allied technologies.
Track-Specific Requirements
A. Undergraduate & Integrated Dual Degree Students
Must be in the final year of a full-time UG or Integrated Dual Degree program (e.g., B.Tech, BCA, B.Sc. Hons, or 5-year Dual Degree) in any discipline.
Minimum academic score of 7.0 CGPA or 70% aggregate in the last completed semester.
Must have completed at least 3 full-time AI-related courses during their regular academic curriculum or through certified external learning portals like NPTEL.
B. Postgraduate Students
Must have a confirmed admission in a full-time PG program (M.Tech, MCA, M.Sc., MA Hons, etc.).
Application must be submitted during the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd semester.
Minimum 7.0 CGPA or 70% aggregate in undergraduate degree (and ongoing PG semesters if applying in semester 2 or 3).
Must have completed at least 3 foundational AI/data science courses.
C. PhD Research Scholars
Applicants must be freshly admitted or in the first year of their PhD program.
Academic Cutoffs:
Minimum 8.0 CGPA (or 80%) after a Bachelor's degree OR 7.5 CGPA (or 75%) after a Master's degree.
Relaxed Track: Candidates pursuing PhDs in Medical Sciences, Life Sciences, or Social/Behavioral Sciences require a minimum of 55% aggregate marks.
Applicants must not receive any dual fellowship, salary, or stipend from other government or private sources for the same PhD work.
Essential Documents Required
Before starting your application online, keep scanned copies of the following mandatory documents ready in PDF/JPEG format:
Academic Transcripts: Consolidated marksheets of all completed undergraduate and postgraduate semesters.
Proof of AI Coursework: Certificates verifying completion of 3 AI-related courses (including NPTEL certificates if external).
Project Proposal & Abstract: A detailed write-up outlining your AI research, problem statement, methodology, expected outcome, and societal/technological impact.
Project Guide Endorsement: Official endorsement letter signed by your research supervisor/faculty guide.
Head of Institution Endorsement: Institutional endorsement signed by the Head of Department (HoD), Registrar, or Director.
Proof of Admission (PhD Track): Formal PhD admission letter stating the official date of enrollment.
Banking Details: Front page of the student's bank passbook or a cancelled cheque clearly showing account number and IFSC code.
Passport-size Photograph: Recent passport photo in standard image format.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026–27
Follow these steps to complete your online submission successfully before the official deadline:
Visit the Official Portal: Access the dedicated portal at fellowship.indiaai.gov.in.
Account Registration: Click on "New Registration," enter your official academic email address, and complete the verification step.
Select Your Application Track: Choose your respective track (Undergraduate, Postgraduate, or PhD Research Scholar).
Fill Academic Details: Input your CGPA scores, university credentials, and list the 3 mandatory AI-related courses completed.
Upload Project Proposal and Endorsements: Attach your AI research summary along with the prescribed endorsement forms from your guide and Head of Institution.
Submit Banking & Identification Info: Upload your bank details for direct benefit transfer (DBT) of stipend disbursements.
Final Review & Submission: Review all entries carefully for accuracy, accept the declaration terms, and submit your application. Download the final PDF acknowledgement for future reference.
Selection Process and Timelines
Applications undergo a multi-tier review process:
Initial Screening: Verification of minimum academic eligibility, coursework certificates, and endorsement documents.
Institutional Shortlisting: Host institutions may shortlist up to five PhD applicants for final evaluation.
Expert Committee Assessment: An independent panel of AI scientists and academic experts reviews the technical quality, novelty, and societal relevance of the submitted AI research project.
Important Dates for AY 2026–27
Applications Open: 16 October 2026
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
Verification & Results Announcement: December 2026 / January 2027
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the eligibility criterion for the IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026–27 for PhD scholars?
To apply for the PhD track under the IndiaAI Research Fellowship 2026–27, scholars must be freshly admitted or in their first year of full-time PhD study. Candidates require at least an 8.0 CGPA after graduation or a 7.5 CGPA after a Master’s degree. A relaxed criterion of 55% aggregate applies to applicants in Medical, Life, and Social Sciences.
Q2. Can I apply if my core branch is not Computer Science?
Yes! Students from any discipline (such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Life Sciences, Law, or Humanities) can apply, provided their proposed project is centered on Artificial Intelligence and they meet the course requirements.
Q3. Are external online certifications accepted for the 3 mandatory AI courses?
Yes, certifications from recognized platforms like NPTEL or Swayam are accepted if your regular university curriculum does not explicitly include three AI-specific courses.
Q4. Can working professionals or part-time students apply for this fellowship?
No, the fellowship is strictly open to full-time enrolled students and scholars in recognized Indian academic institutions.
Q5. Is there travel support for international AI conferences?
Yes, fellows can receive up to ₹1,00,000 for travel, registration, and stay if their research paper is accepted at an eligible international AI conference with an H5-index above 100.
Call to Action (CTA)
Are you ready to accelerate your career in Artificial Intelligence and contribute to India's technological ecosystem? Don't miss out on funding opportunities under the IndiaAI Mission.
Official Application Portal: Submit your application on the IndiaAI Fellowship Portal.
National AI Portal: Discover more research initiatives and national benchmarks on the IndiaAI Official Website.
MeitY Initiatives: Learn more about Government of India digital schemes at the Ministry of Electronics and IT Portal.
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