Embark India Development Fellowship

Passionate about shaping India’s development story? Join us on this transformative journey.

Welcome to the National Fellowship

Shaping tomorrow’s policy leaders today – an 17-month fellowship empowering young professionals to drive Viksit Bharat@2047 with evidence, action, and impact.

The last date to apply for the fellowship is on 5th November 2026.

About the Fellowship

The National Fellowship aims to place young professionals at the heart of development policy and governance to work within key public institutions, departments, and agencies. Fellows will support ongoing and new development initiatives, conduct evidence-based research, and co-create innovative solutions.

Anchored in the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the program offers rigorous training in development theory, public policy, and governance systems; strategic mentorship; and immersive field placements. Fellows will gain the skills, exposure, and experience to drive impactful, research-driven solutions to real-world development policy challenges.

Step inside India’s policy ecosystem – learn and contribute from within the governance ecosystem.

Passionate about shaping India’s development story? Join us on this transformative journey.

Fellowship Objectives

Promote youth engagement in national development policy and governance.
Build leadership capacities of young professionals to understand and engage with public systems.
Bridge grassroots realities by conducting field research, consulting stakeholders, and co-creating development policy strategies.
Generate high-quality, evidence-based outputs that can support innovation and decision-making in government.

Thematic Focus Areas

Road Safety and Human Centric Mobility

Electric and Low Carbon Mobility

Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials

Climate Intelligence and Energy Resilience

Environment and Sustainability and Inclusive Development
- Afforestation
- Waste management,
- Green Skilling and Employment
- Water and Sanitation
- Issues related with Persons with Disability,
- Evidence and Data for Sustainable Development – Environment Safety

Public Policy in Urban and Rural Areas

Sustainability will be a cross cutting theme applied across the listed domains.

Application Process

Fellowship Structure and Timelines
(September 2026 – December 2027)

01

National outreach and application window.

Sept-Nov 2026 (Months 1-3)

Virtual policy bootcamps.

Nov 2026 (Month 3)

02

03

Final selection of 25 fellows.

Dec 2026 (Month 4)

Residential training.

Jan 2027 (Month 5)

04

05

Placement commencement and structured mentorship.

Feb-October 2027 (Month 6-15)

National Conclave, final presentations, certification, and program review.

Nov-Dec 2027 (Months 16-17)

06 Eligibility

The fellowship seeks highly motivated young professionals of Indian Citizenship who are passionate about governance and policy. You may apply to the fellowship program if you are:

01 The Aspiring Governance Professional - For Fresh Postgraduates & Recent Alumni(23-25 Years)

You are at the beginning of your professional journey, eager to contribute to India's development story. This stream is for exceptional postgraduate students who are looking for a high-impact launchpad for a career in public policy and governance.
No prior work experience is required, but a strong portfolio of internships, academic research, or project work is mandatory.
Candidates with prior fellowship experience will have an edge.

02 The Social Sector Catalyst - For Experienced Social Sector Professionals (26-35 Years)

You have a deep, on-the-ground understanding of social and development challenges. This stream is for professionals with proven experience in the non-profit or social enterprise sector who wish to leverage their field-level insights to influence policy and governance from within.
Eligibility: A minimum of three years of professional experience in the social sector.

03 The Corporate Change Agent - For Corporate to Public Sector Transitioners ( 26-35 Years)

If you are a high-achieving individual committed to building a better India, this fellowship is your platform to learn, lead, and leave a lasting legacy.

If you identify with any of these streams and are driven by a passion for creating impactful change, we encourage you to apply and become part of this transformative mission.
Selection will be based on performance in a national-level virtual bootcamp, interviews, and thematic alignment with placement institutions.
If you are a high-achieving individual committed to building a better India, this fellowship is your platform to learn, lead, and leave a lasting legacy.

A potential candidate will have:

Willingness to relocate to New Delhi and work closely with relevant public institutions, departments, agencies, or organisations of the Government

The ‘Amrit Kaal’ is a golden opportunity for India’s youth. The vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ at 2047 is not just the government’s responsibility; it is the collective resolution of all 140 crore Indians. Our youth are the real architects of this future.

-Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India

FAQ - Applicant FAQ Guide

Fellows will play a role in shaping this model of meaningful youth – government collaboration, while contributing to the national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. This FAQ guide answers the most common questions about the program structure, eligibility, support, and outcomes, helping you decide if this is the right next step in your journey as a changemaker.

Q1. What is the Embark India Development Fellowship?

This fellowship is designed to nurture young professionals as partners in India’s development journey by placing them within public institutions, departments, and agencies.

The fellowship provides a blend of:

Academic rigor (training in development and public policy, governance, and program evaluation)
Practical exposure (immersive six-month institutional placements)
Mentorship (guidance from senior leaders in policy, governance, and academia)
Research opportunities (white papers, policy briefs, publications)

Q2. Who can apply?

We are seeking a diverse and dynamic cohort of fellows to drive a new era of governance. Our program is designed for three distinct professional streams, each bringing a unique skill set to the fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria

Mandatory Criteria:

Age: Up to 35 years as of 01st January 2027.
Education: A postgraduate degree in any discipline from a recognised institution. We highly encourage candidates with academic backgrounds in public policy, governance, social sciences, economics, law, management, environmental sciences and engineering.

Qualities We Are Looking For

Commitment: A strong commitment to public service and a desire to contribute meaningfully to the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.
Aptitude: A proven track record of critical thinking, problem-solving, and a data-driven approach.
Adaptability: The ability to work in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder environment and navigate the complexities of government and bureaucracy.

If you meet these criteria and are driven by a passion for creating impactful change, we encourage you to apply and become part of this transformative mission.

Q3. What Will You Gain?

- Hands-On Experience: Work with public institutions on high-priority development policy & governance challenges
- Rigorous Capacity Building: Residential & virtual bootcamps in development policy, governance, research, and program evaluation using GRAAM’s 3PE model.
- Expert Mentorship: Guidance from senior experts in governance, academia, and administration Access to a triad of mentors from governance, academia, and public administration, offering continuous guidance throughout your placement journey.
- Research & Publications: Author impactful white papers, policy briefs, and articles with national visibility
- Networking & Exposure: Connect with senior policymakers, development practitioners, & researchers
- Professional Recognition: Earn certification, build a strong portfolio, & join a growing network of development policy professionals
- Competitive Stipend Support: Monthly allowance up to ₹70,000 along with institutional support
- Micro to Macro Development Understanding: Get a unique perspective of understanding development from micro to macro level. Panchayat to Parliament Exposure.
- Exclusive Access: Build a powerful network with high-level government officials, policy experts, and leaders from civil society and think tanks.
- Amplify Your Voice: Your work will directly inform and shape governance solutions, giving you a platform to influence policy discussions and contribute to the national agenda of Viksit Bharat@2047.

Q4. How does the selection process work?

The selection process is structured to identify candidates who combine analytical and research rigor with grassroots sensitivity:

Round 1: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a 3-day Virtual Capacity Development Session. This is mandatory for all selected candidates from the first round.

Round 2: Following the virtual session, a final assessment will be made to select the top 25 fellows.

Boot Camp & Placement: The selected 25 fellows must attend a mandatory 30-day residential boot camp in Delhi (all expenses except travel will be covered). Post the bootcamp, fellows will be required to remain in Delhi for their 9-month fellowship placement.

Q5. What is the fellowship timeline and structure?

The fellowship is a structured 17-month program. Selection will be based on performance in a national-level virtual bootcamp, interviews, and thematic alignment with placement institutions.

Fellowship Structure and Timelines (September 2026 – December 2027)

Sept-Nov 2026 (Months 1-3): National outreach and application window.
Nov 2026 (Month 3): Virtual policy bootcamps.
Dec 2026 (Month 4): Final selection of 25 fellows.
Jan 2027 (Month 5): Residential training.
Feb-October 2027 (Month 6-15): Placement commencement and structured mentorship.
Nov-Dec 2027 (Months 16-17): National Conclave, final presentations, certification, and program review.

Q6. What kind of support will I receive?

Fellows will be supported both institutionally and individually:

Hands-On Experience: Work with public institutions on high-priority development policy & governance challenges

Rigorous Capacity Building: Residential & virtual bootcamps in development policy, governance, research, and program evaluation using GRAAM’s 3PE model.

Expert Mentorship: Guidance from senior experts in governance, academia, and administration Access to a triad of mentors from governance, academia, and public administration, offering continuous guidance throughout your placement journey.

Research & Publications: Author impactful white papers, policy briefs, and articles with national visibility

Networking & Exposure: Connect with senior policymakers, development practitioners, & researchers

Professional Recognition: Earn certification, build a strong portfolio, & join a growing network of development policy professionals

- Competitive Stipend Support: Monthly allowance up to ₹70,000 along with institutional support
- Micro to Macro Development Understanding: Get a unique perspective of understanding development from micro to macro level. Panchayat to Parliament Exposure.
- Exclusive Access: Build a powerful network with high-level government officials, policy experts, and leaders from civil society and think tanks.
- Amplify Your Voice: Your work will directly inform and shape governance solutions, giving you a platform to influence policy discussions and contribute to the national agenda of Viksit Bharat@2047.

Q7. What happens after the fellowship?

The program does NOT guarantee direct employment, but fellows will emerge with:

Hands-on experience of working within public development and governance systems
A strong portfolio of research outputs
Access to networks of experienced development practitioners and policy makers
Enhanced career prospects in:
Public policy institutions
Think tanks and research organizations
National and international development agencies
Nonprofits, CSR, and social enterprises

Q8. What are the thematic focus areas?

Fellows will work on real-world challenges under themes such as:
Road Safety and Human Centric Mobility
Electric and Low Carbon Mobility
Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials
Climate Intelligence and Energy Resilience
Environment and Sustainability and Inclusive Development
- Afforestation
- Waste management, - Green Skilling
- Employment
- Water and Sanitation
- Issues related with Persons with Disability,
- Evidence and Data for Sustainable Development – Environment Safety
Sustainability will be a cross cutting theme applied across the listed domains. Fellows with work and research interests in the aforementioned thematic and policy areas are encouraged to apply. Kindly ensure that sustainability is a key focus of your work.

Q9. What kind of outputs will I be expected to produce?

Each fellow is expected to co-create actionable knowledge products, including:

A working research paper, white paper, or policy brief
Strategy notes and solution documents in the form of articles, blog posts, editorials, etc.
Evaluation or policy/programme assessment frameworks
Research reports and/or case studies mapping lessons for development policy

These are intended to be showcased at the National Conclave and disseminated across government and policy circles.

10. How can I apply?

To apply for the fellowship, click on the link below and follow the instructions in the application form. Click Here.

nationalfellowship@graam.org.in

About GRAAM, visit www.graam.org.in or