YouthPOWER Fellowship

Rs 4k-5k/Month
On-Field
03 Apr 2026

Internship

03 Apr 2026

Introduction

The fellowship is a six-month, part-time, field-based district program designed to identify and train young graduates in district-level governance, public institutions, and youth opportunity mapping. Fellows will be embedded in non-metro districts to directly observe and document institutions that shape education-to-work transitions. The fellowship emphasizes hands-on fieldwork, structured data collection, and direct conversations with youth and public service providers to create evidence-based maps of opportunity. Participants receive formal training and certification, a stipend, and exposure opportunities that may lead to further roles.

Program overview and core purpose

What the fellowship aims to achieve

The fellowship focuses on strengthening understanding of district-level governance and public institutions by placing young graduates in field roles where they document and analyse local opportunity structures. Fellows are trained to map youth opportunity with structured checklists and evidence templates and to gather first-hand accounts through field interviews. The aim is to produce grounded, district-specific documentation of education-to-work transitions and access to public supports. Through this process, the fellowship cultivates a cohort of graduates familiar with institutional landscapes and local pathways into employment.

Core components and emphasis

Field-based learning: Direct visits to public institutions and interactions with local stakeholders.
Structured documentation: Use of checklists and evidence templates to ensure consistent mapping.
Interview-driven evidence: Conversations focused on education-to-work transitions and access to public support.

Six-month, part-time, field-based district fellowship

Fieldwork activities and methodologies

Typical activities on the ground

Fellows will visit and document a range of public institutions to create a composite picture of youth opportunity in each district. The program explicitly lists visits to schools, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), libraries, employment offices and other institutions as part of the documentation process. Fieldwork includes mapping youth opportunity using structured checklists and evidence templates to capture comparable information across places. Fellows will also conduct field interviews that explore education-to-work transitions and the ways youth access public support systems.

Tools and approaches emphasized

Structured checklists to guide observational data collection and ensure consistency across visits.
Evidence templates for recording documentary and photographic proof where appropriate.
Field interviews aimed at understanding trajectories from education to employment and barriers to accessing public supports.

These activities combine observational documentation with qualitative interviews to form a mixed evidence base that reflects institutional capacity and youth experiences. The structured nature of the checklists and templates helps build comparable datasets across districts, while interviews provide context and personal pathways that numbers alone cannot capture.

Training, recognition, and rewards

Training and certification

Fellows receive training and a certificate from the Future of India Foundation upon completion of program requirements. The training is paired with field practice so that theoretical orientations are complemented by hands-on data collection and interviewing experience. Certification underlines formal recognition of the skills and district-level experience fellows acquire through the fellowship. This combination is intended to both equip participants for the fieldwork and provide tangible acknowledgement of their learning at the end of the six-month period.

Stipend, exposure visits, and potential pathways

Stipend: Fellows receive a stipend of Rs 25,000 for their participation in the program.
Top-performer recognition: The highest-performing fellows earn a visit to Delhi, which includes a Parliament tour and meetings with Members of Parliament.
Future opportunities: Top performers may also be considered for permanent roles following the fellowship.

Fellows receive a Rs 25,000 stipend; top performers get a Delhi visit (Parliament tour and MP meetings) and may be considered for permanent roles.

Eligibility, preferences, and language requirements

Who can apply

Eligibility for the fellowship is specific and location-based. Applicants must be graduates aged 22–29 who reside in non-metro districts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, or Haryana. The program requires that participants be proficient in Hindi. Preference is given to certain groups intended to broaden participation and representation.

Priority groups

Women
First-generation graduates
Individuals from marginalised communities

These preferences aim to ensure that the cohort reflects a range of lived experiences and backgrounds from across the targeted states. By focusing on graduates from non-metro districts and emphasising Hindi fluency, the fellowship is oriented toward recruiting participants who are likely to engage deeply with local institutions and communities.

Expected outcomes, impact, and potential career implications

What fellows and districts can expect

The fellowship seeks to produce detailed, district-level maps of youth opportunity and to build a cohort of trained graduates conversant with public institutions and governance processes. Fellows’ documentation and interview data are intended to highlight local patterns in education-to-work transitions and the accessibility of public supports. The evidence generated can inform stakeholders about gaps and strengths within district-level services and pathways for youth employment.

Career and recognition pathways

Certificate awarded by the Future of India Foundation as formal recognition of fellowship completion.
Monetary support during the fellowship via a Rs 25,000 stipend to enable participation.
Special exposure for top performers in the form of a Delhi visit that includes parliamentary exposure and meetings with elected representatives.
Consideration for permanent roles for those who distinguish themselves during the fellowship.

The cumulative experience of field documentation, structured mapping, and stakeholder engagement is intended to enhance participants’ understanding of governance and public institutions. Top-performing fellows receive additional exposure and possible career follow-up, reinforcing the fellowship’s role as both a training ground and a potential gateway to further opportunities.

Preparing for the fellowship: practical considerations

Readiness and practical preparation

Prospective fellows should be prepared for part-time, field-based engagement over six months and for the kinds of visits and interviews the fellowship entails. Readiness includes being based in an eligible non-metro district within the specified states, meeting the age and educational criteria, and having sufficient Hindi language skills to conduct interviews and document findings. Familiarity with basic documentation practices and comfort conducting interviews will support effective participation.

Community representation and inclusion

Preference for women, first-generation graduates, and marginalised communities aims to diversify cohort composition.
Being a resident of a non-metro district in the listed states positions applicants to leverage local knowledge during fieldwork.
Those who meet the age and language criteria are placed to meaningfully document education-to-work pathways and access to public support.

Careful attention to the structured checklists and evidence templates provided by the fellowship will help participants generate consistent and usable data. Candidates who are willing to engage directly with institutions, collect documentary evidence, and listen to youth experiences will be well-placed to contribute to the program’s mapping and analysis goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration and time commitment of the fellowship?

The fellowship runs for six months and is structured as a part-time, field-based program. Participants are expected to engage in visits to local institutions, conduct interviews, and complete documentation and mapping tasks throughout the fellowship period. The part-time nature implies a balance between field activities and any concurrent responsibilities fellows may have.

Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?

Eligibility requires applicants to be graduates aged 22–29 who live in non-metro districts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, or Haryana. The program specifies residency in these non-metro districts as a core eligibility criterion and requires proficiency in Hindi. Preference is given to women, first-generation graduates, and people from marginalised communities.

What kinds of field activities will fellows undertake?

Fellows will visit and document schools, ITIs, libraries, employment offices, and other institutions in their districts. They will map youth opportunity using structured checklists and evidence templates and conduct field interviews focused on education-to-work transitions and access to public support. The field activities combine observational documentation with qualitative interviews.

What training and financial support do fellows receive?

Participants receive training and a certificate from the Future of India Foundation as part of the fellowship. Fellows also receive a stipend of Rs 25,000 to support their participation. Top-performing fellows earn additional recognition through a Delhi visit that includes a Parliament tour and meetings with Members of Parliament.

Are there language requirements for participants?

Yes, the fellowship requires Hindi language proficiency. This is integral because field interviews and documentation are conducted within local district settings where Hindi is used to communicate with institutions and youth. Being fluent in Hindi enables effective interviews and accurate documentation.

Can fellows expect future employment after the fellowship?

Top performers may be considered for permanent roles following the fellowship, though this is presented as a possibility rather than a guaranteed outcome. The program offers additional exposure for high performers, including a Delhi visit with a Parliament tour and meetings with MPs, which can support future pathways.

Conclusion

This six-month, part-time, field-based district fellowship offers a focused, hands-on pathway for graduates to learn about district-level governance, public institutions, and youth opportunity mapping. Through visits to schools, ITIs, libraries, employment offices and other institutions, and through structured checklists, evidence templates, and interviews, fellows build a grounded evidence base on education-to-work transitions and access to public support. Participants gain training and certification from the Future of India Foundation, receive a Rs 25,000 stipend, and top performers receive special exposure and possible consideration for permanent roles. The program gives priority to applicants from underrepresented groups and to residents of specified non-metro districts who can communicate effectively in Hindi.

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