The IndiaAI Fellowship 2025 is a flagship national program under the IndiaAI Mission (MeitY, Government of India) aimed at supporting UG, PG, and PhD students pursuing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. This fellowship offers high-value funding, world-class mentorship, and access to premier research resources to strengthen India’s AI talent ecosystem. Students receive support for tuition fees, research expenses, international conference travel, and project development. The fellowship is administered by the Digital India Corporation (DIC) and is one of India’s most competitive AI research support programs.
The fellowship encourages interdisciplinary work, collaborative research, and real-world problem-solving across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, climate, smart cities, and governance. By providing financial support, mentorship, and access to academic networks, the IndiaAI Fellowship contributes to building a strong AI research ecosystem in India while connecting fellows with national and international institutions.
IndiaAI Fellowship Funding Details (UG, PG & PhD)
1. Undergraduate (UG) Fellowship
- UG students working on impactful AI/ML research projects are eligible for financial and academic support:
- Funding Up to Rs 1,00,000 for research or project development.
- Additional Rs. 1,00,000 travel grant for presenting at top-tier international AI conferences (h5-index >100).
- Mentorship from AI researchers and industry experts.
- Access to compute resources, GPUs, datasets, and IndiaAI innovation hubs.
- Support for internships, research papers, and prototype development.
2. Postgraduate (PG) Fellowship
- The PG fellowship is designed to support master’s students enrolled in AI/ML programs:
- Tiered financial support of Rs. 2,00,000 for the first semester and Rs. 1,50,000 for the second semester
- Funding is released in tranches based on academic grades (minimum 75%) and project evaluation.
- Access to advanced computational facilities, expert-led workshops, and AI research labs.
- Support for publication fees, conference participation, and AI innovation projects.
- Students may also receive mentorship from faculty at premier institutions.
3. PhD Fellowship
- The PhD-level support under the IndiaAI Fellowship is the most comprehensive:
- Monthly Stipend: Rs. 38,750
- Accommodation Allowance: 30% of the stipend
- Annual Institutional Overhead: Rs. 25,000
- Research Contingency Grant: Rs. 1,20,000 per year starting from the 2nd year
- International Conference & Lab Visit Grants for presenting papers at reputed AI conferences.
- Access to IndiaAI Supercomputing Infrastructure, compute credits, datasets, and domain experts.
- Support for cross-institutional collaborations, patents, and high-impact publications.
Eligibility Criteria for IndiaAI Fellowship 2025
To qualify for the IndiaAI Fellowship, applicants must meet the following guidelines:
Academic Requirements
- Strong academic performance: minimum 75–80% marks in UG/PG programs.
- PhD applicants must be full-time enrolled in AI/ML-related doctoral programs at partner institutions.
Area of Focus
- Candidates must be pursuing AI/ML coursework, research projects, or thesis work.
- Active involvement in AI-driven innovation, coding, or data science projects is preferred.
Exclusivity Condition
- Applicants cannot receive any other government-funded fellowship simultaneously (e.g., GATE, PMRF, CSIR-JRF).
Preferred Backgrounds
- Computer Science, AI/ML, Data Science, Robotics, Mathematics, Electronics, Cognitive Science, Computational Biology, etc.
How to Apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship
The application process is fully online:
- Visit the official IndiaAI portal (IndiaAI.gov.in).
- Create a candidate profile and fill in the fellowship application form.
- Upload all required documents
- Academic transcripts
- Project proposal/research statement
- Enrollment certificate (for UG,PG and PhD)
- Recommendation letters (optional but beneficial)
- Apply before the deadline.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview/panel evaluation.
Key Features & Benefits of IndiaAI Fellowship
- High research funding across all levels (UG/PG/PhD).
- Global exposure, including conference travel grants for top AI venues.
- Access to compute power: GPU clusters, cloud credits, and datasets.
- Mentorship by leading academicians, researchers, and industry specialists.
- Skill development programs, AI bootcamps, and workshops.
- Focus on AI for public good, societal innovation, and scalable solutions.
- Industry collaboration with startups, research institutes, and government AI labs.
- Contribution to India’s AI leadership and self-reliance mission.
Important Dates (Expected Timeline 2025)
Application Opens: August – September
Last Date of Application: October – November
Shortlisting & Evaluation: November – December
Final Selection & Award Announcement: January – February
(Exact dates may vary each year based on official notifications.)
Why IndiaAI Fellowship Important?
The fellowship is a strategic investment under the IndiaAI Mission to:
- Build world-class AI talent in India
- Boost indigenous research and AI innovation
- Strengthen AI startups and industry-academia collaboration
- Enable students from diverse backgrounds to access cutting-edge resources
- Create a self-reliant AI ecosystem supporting Digital India & Viksit Bharat 2047 vision
Download IndiaAI Fellowship Guideline
Click Here: Download IndiaAI Fellowship Guideline PDF
FAQs – IndiaAI Fellowship 2025
1. Who is eligible for the IndiaAI Fellowship? Students pursuing UG, PG, or PhD in AI/ML fields with strong academic performance (75–80% marks) and active involvement in AI projects are eligible.
2. What funding does the fellowship provide? UG students get up to Rs. 1 lakh, PG students receive Rs. 2 lakh + Rs. 1.5 lakh, and PhD scholars get Rs. 38,750/month, research grants, and international travel support.
3. Can I apply if I already receive another government fellowship? No. The IndiaAI Fellowship requires exclusivity, meaning you cannot hold another central government-funded scholarship simultaneously.
4. How can I apply for the IndiaAI Fellowship? Applications are submitted through the official IndiaAI portal, where students must upload academic records, project proposals, and enrollment proof.
5. Does the fellowship support international conferences? Yes. UG, PG, and PhD fellows receive financial assistance for top-tier international AI conferences, including travel and registration support.
6. Is this fellowship only for AI students? Yes. It is specifically for students working in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Robotics, or related domains.
7. When do applications usually open? Applications typically open between August and September, with deadlines in October or November.
Conclusion
The IndiaAI Fellowship is one of India’s most impactful funding programs for young AI researchers, offering generous financial support, industry mentorship, access to advanced computing resources, and opportunities for global exposure. Designed to nurture UG, PG, and PhD talent in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, this fellowship plays a key role in strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem and advancing the nation’s AI leadership. Students aiming for high-impact research, international publications, and cutting-edge AI development will find the IndiaAI Fellowship an exceptional opportunity to grow and excel.
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