Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement 2027

The Inlaks Shivdasani Fellowship for Social Engagement 2027 is now open. The fellowship is run by The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, one of India’s oldest and best known private funding bodies, and it pays a monthly stipend for two years to young Indians who want to work on a project of public importance under a mentor of their own choice.

The last date to apply is 15 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST. Applications are made online through the Foundation’s application portal. This is a good option for recent graduates and early to mid-career professionals who want space to work on research, journalism, community rights, public health, ecology or archiving without having to join a formal course.

Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement 2027 - Rs 45,000 a month stipend for two years for Indian graduates

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Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement 2027: quick facts

Quick facts2026-27

Scholarship from	The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, India (Fellowship for Social Engagement)
Last date to apply	15 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST (applications open for the 2027 fellowship)
Official website	The Inlaks Shivdasani Fellowship for Social Engagement (official website)

Go to official website

What is the Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement?

The fellowship gives a young person the time and the money to work on a project of social value instead of taking the first job that comes along. The project can take many forms – action-oriented research, cause lawyering, grassroots journalism, ecological work, community rights, public health, archiving, or work on dying arts, culture and languages.

The Foundation says the fellowship is committed to equality of opportunity, social inclusion, freedom of expression and respect for individual and constitutional rights. It is meant only to support individual learning, not the work of an organisation, and fellows have to attend three workshops hosted by the Foundation at regular intervals.

Inlaks Fellowship stipend: how much will you get?

The stipend depends on where you live and work. The official page lists three categories:

Rs 45,000 per month if you are living and working in an ‘X’ category area.
Rs 35,000 per month if you are living and working in a ‘Y’ category area.
Rs 25,000 per month if you are living and working in a ‘Z’ category area.

The fellowship runs for two years, but it is not automatic for the full period. The first six months are a probation period, and the continuation of the fellowship depends on a quarterly and annual review of the fellow’s work. The Foundation also states clearly that the final stipend amount is at its discretion.

Who is eligible for the Inlaks Fellowship?

The eligibility rules are short and specific. You must:

be an Indian citizen currently residing in India;
have been born on or after 1 January 1991;
be a graduate (hold a Bachelor’s degree) from a recognised institute or university in India;
if you do not hold a Bachelor’s degree, carry at least three years of relevant work experience instead.

There is no upper limit on the type of degree and no requirement of a particular subject. What matters is the project you propose and the mentor you choose.

Who cannot apply for the Inlaks Fellowship?

Anyone enrolled in academic studies or a PhD for the duration of the fellowship is not eligible.
Applicants proposing work on art installations or photo books are not eligible for this fellowship – the Foundation directs them to the Inlaks Fine Art Award instead.
The fellowship does not fund the work of an organisation; it supports an individual’s own learning.

How to apply for the Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement

Open the official fellowship page and click Apply Now. That takes you to the Foundation’s application portal at onlineapplication.inlaksfoundation.org.
Read the detailed application instructions and the video guide on the page before you start.
Prepare your project proposal and confirm the mentor you will work with – the fellowship is built around working under a mentor of your choice.
Submit your application online by 15 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST.
If you have any question before applying, write to [email protected]. The Foundation says it cannot respond to individual queries about the status of an application.

Important dates for the Inlaks Fellowship 2027

Applications opened for the 2027 fellowship – the page shows the status as ‘Applications Open for 2027’.
15 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST – last date to submit the online application.
The fellowship then runs for two years from the start date agreed with the Foundation, beginning with the six-month probation period.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement 2027?

It is a two-year fellowship of The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation in India for young Indians who want to work on a project of public importance under a mentor of their choice. It pays a monthly stipend and is not a course-based scholarship.

What is the last date to apply for the Inlaks Fellowship?

The last date is 15 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST. The Foundation’s official page shows the 2027 fellowship as open with exactly this deadline.

How much stipend does the Inlaks Fellowship pay?

Rs 45,000 per month in an X category area, Rs 35,000 per month in a Y category area and Rs 25,000 per month in a Z category area. The Foundation states that the final amount is at its discretion.

Who is eligible for the Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement?

You must be an Indian citizen living in India, born on or after 1 January 1991, and a graduate from a recognised Indian institute or university. If you do not hold a Bachelor’s degree, you need at least three years of relevant work experience.

Can students who are enrolled in a PhD apply?

No. The Foundation’s exclusion says that those enrolled in academic studies or a PhD for the duration of the fellowship are not eligible to apply.

How long is the Inlaks Fellowship and is it reviewed?

The fellowship lasts two years. The first six months are a probation period, and your continuation depends on a quarterly and annual review of your work. Fellows must also attend three workshops hosted by the Foundation.

How do I apply for the Inlaks Fellowship 2027?

Apply online through the Foundation’s application portal, which you reach from the Apply Now button on the official fellowship page. Submit the form before 15 November 2026, 11:59 PM IST.

Inlaks Fellowship for Social Engagement 2027: Rs 45,000 a Month for Two Years