The Young India Fellowship (YIF) is a one-year multidisciplinary postgraduate diploma programme in Liberal Studies. The Fellowship brings together a group of bright young men and women who show exceptional intellectual ability and leadership potential from across the country, and trains them to become socially committed agents of change. YIF exposes them to a diverse set of subjects and perspectives, delivered by some of the finest teachers from India and around the world. The aim is to help Fellows become well-rounded individuals who are able to think critically about issues from multiple perspectives, communicate effectively and go on to become self-aware leaders with a commitment to public service.
YIF commenced its first academic session in June 2011 with 57 Fellows selected from among 2,000 applicants. By its fifth year, the number of registered applicants was almost four times that and now the Class of 2015-16 has 198 Fellows attending the programme at the Ashoka University campus. Spanning a spectrum of backgrounds from engineering to fashion design, filmmaking to agriculture, medicine to fine arts, and law to journalism, the Fellows reflect India’s intellectual and geographical diversity. They undergo a highly selective admissions process and are finally chosen both for their academic potential and for their passion for creating social impact. The Young India Fellowship maintains high academic standards, and selection to the programme is decided purely on merit; yet care is also taken to ensure that affordability does not become a deterrent for aspiring students. Almost everyone is supported through scholarships and other forms of financial aid in full or part.
Organization: The Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University is delivered in collaboration with University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS); Carleton College; University of California, Berkeley; University of Michigan; King’s College, London; Trinity College, Dublin and Sciences Po, Paris.
Profile
Given the unique nature of the programme there is no “one” kind of profile for a Young India Fellow. However, the following points are being presented to give a broad idea of what we look for. A Young India Fellow could be someone who has:
- A deep-rooted ambition to solve problems and make an impact on society
- Passion for an idea or issue which could have wider social/business/academic implications
- The humility to believe that he/she needs to learn more
- The willingness to think differently and chart a new course
- A demonstrated ability to overcome challenges
- Qualities of integrity, self-awareness, energy, initiative and open-mindedness
- An above-average academic record
Eligibility
Young India Fellowship Programme is open to all young men and women with:
- A recognized undergraduate or postgraduate degree
- Students who are in the final year of their undergraduate or postgraduate degree
- No more than 28 years of age on 31st May, 2016
The Fellowship promotes diversity and applicants from all areas of specialisation are encouraged to apply. While applicants who have been educated in a vernacular language as their medium of instruction are welcome, it is expected that they will be able to converse, read and write in English.