Young India Fellowship: Top Interdisciplinary & Multidisciplinary Programme in India - Ashoka University

Young India Fellowship: Top Interdisciplinary & Multidisciplinary Programme in India - Ashoka University

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Ashoka's flagship programme and the continuing expression of its founding conviction.

Ashoka's flagship programme and the continuing expression of its founding conviction.

Established in 2011, the Young India Fellowship (YIF) is Ashoka University’s flagship residential postgraduate diploma, bringing together 100 exceptional and diverse minds for a transformative year of intensive interdisciplinary learning. Fellows are nurtured by renowned faculty and practitioners from around the world, combining critical inquiry with collaborative real-world practice to address the most pertinent challenges of our time.

Ashoka's flagship programme and the continuing expression of its founding conviction.

Ashoka's flagship programme and the continuing expression of its founding conviction.

Established in 2011, the Young India Fellowship (YIF) is Ashoka University’s flagship residential postgraduate diploma, bringing together 100 exceptional and diverse minds for a transformative year of intensive interdisciplinary learning. Fellows are nurtured by renowned faculty and practitioners from around the world, combining critical inquiry with collaborative real-world practice to address the most pertinent challenges of our time.

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The YIF at Fifteen
Fifteen years since its founding, the YIF stands as one of India’s most rigorous and far-reaching postgraduate programmes. Fully residential and entirely on scholarship, each cohort brings together Fellows of exceptional ability and remarkable diversity of discipline, background, language, and experience, constituting one of the most dynamic peer-learning environments in contemporary Indian higher education.
What began as an experiment in interdisciplinary education has matured into a model for what that education can achieve.
Click below to know more about YIF’s unique learning experience.
Curriculum

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Green campus with trees, benches, brick buildings, and a pathway under a clear blue sky.

A large group of people smiling, dressed in colorful traditional and casual attire, indoors.

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Admissions

The YIF Class of 2028 (2027 intake) will bring together 100 exceptional and diverse minds who will be handpicked through a rigorous and holistic selection process. The interdisciplinary programme will educate and nurture Fellows to address the most pertinent challenges of our time. Fellows receive a post-graduate diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies from Ashoka University upon graduating and contribute to sustaining a lifelong learning-focused alumni community.

Applications for the YIF Class of 2028 are now open.

Begin your next chapter with the Young India Fellowship.

Become a Fellow

Our Alumni

Smiling woman with long dark hair, clear glasses, pink blouse, and a white background.

Ansuiya

YIF Class of 2025

BA, Political Science, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi

Ashweetha

Ashweetha

YIF Class of 2013

Nandini Jha

Nandini Jha

YIF Class of 2022

Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication
Chaudhary Charan Singh University

Pubarun Basu

Pubarun Basu

YIF Class of 2024

BA English Literature, University of Calcutta, Kolkata

Arunita Mitash

Arunita Mitash

YIF Class of 2018

Anu Migom Panging

Anu Migom Panging

YIF Class of 2026

BA (Honours) Philosophy, St Stephen’s College, University of Delhi
MA Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, University of Delhi

Amarnath

Amarnath

YIF Class of 2026

BSc, Computer Science, Norwich University, Northfield, USA
Founder and Instructor, SkillCeta

Anusha Gupta

Anusha Gupta

YIF Class of 2026

BA (Honours) English, Hindu College, Delhi University

Lali Jat

Lali Jat

YIF Class of 2026

BA (Honours), Political Science, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi

Debarati Pal

Debarati Pal

YIF Class of 2026

BA (Honours) English, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
MA English, Jadavpur University, Kolkata
Writer, Immersive Trails

To learn more about the diverse trajectories of our Fellows, click here.

Latest happenings

Events

Latest happenings

Reflect, Reexamine, Reimagine, Reconstruct

Reflect, Reexamine, Reimagine, Reconstruct

Aug 05, 2026 05:07

Chief Guest, Professor Shailaja Paik, at the 15th Convocation Ceremony of the Young India Fellowship, Ashoka University.

Ashoka University Marks 15 Years of the Young India Fellowship with New Diploma, 100 Spots and Scholarships for All: Admissions Open

Ashoka University Marks 15 Years of the Young India Fellowship with New…

Dec 05, 2025 04:27

This is a milestone year as it marks fifteen years of the flagship programme that laid the foundation for the…

From Human Rights to the Stage: How Nandini Jha Found her Voice in Theatre

From Human Rights to the Stage: How Nandini Jha Found her Voice…

Nov 19, 2025 11:02

YIF Alumna’s directorial work brings socio-emotional depth to the modern stage, Nandini Jha’s Parallels captures the texture of modern relationships…

Walking the Talk: A First Gen Learner’s Journey Rooted in Education and Equity

Walking the Talk: A First Gen Learner’s Journey Rooted in Education and…

Aug 05, 2025 09:10

Ansuiya (YIF ’25) speaks at the BBC Action Media's Needle 2025 and the UNICEF YuWaah Youth Conclave

The Story of Saajha’s Impact: Redefining Parental Engagement in Indian Education

The Story of Saajha’s Impact: Redefining Parental Engagement in Indian Education

Jul 07, 2025 03:09

YIF Alumnus Saransh Vaswani (YIF ’13) named as 2025–26 Skoll Scholar for Social Impact Leadership by the Skoll Centre for…

Reimagining Finance for the Margins: Swathi’s Path to Purpose

Reimagining Finance for the Margins: Swathi’s Path to Purpose

May 13, 2025 11:46

YIF Alumna Swathi Pottabathini (YIF '17) awarded the Joint Japan/ World Bank Scholarship 2023-25

Ashoka University Announces Scholarships for All Young India Fellows in Class of 2025-26: Final Round of Applications Close on 10th March 2025

Ashoka University Announces Scholarships for All Young India Fellows in Class of…

Feb 25, 2025 11:19

Notably about one-third of the Class of 2025 Fellows identify as first-generation college goers, and 61% as female.

The Journey of an Educational Advocate from Lagos: Nene Ibezim’s Story

The Journey of an Educational Advocate from Lagos: Nene Ibezim’s Story

Nov 25, 2024 10:26

YIF Alumna Nene Ibezim (YIF’ 24) awarded the Lipman Family Prize Fellowship (2024).

All Young India Fellows in the Class of 2025-26 will receive scholarships

All Young India Fellows in the Class of 2025-26 will receive scholarships

Oct 14, 2024 06:37

Admissions open from 15 October 2024, first deadline on 5 January 2025

Bridging Disciplines: From Engineering to Health-Tech and Policy Reform

Bridging Disciplines: From Engineering to Health-Tech and Policy Reform

Sep 30, 2024 11:38

YIF Alumnus Karan Trichal (YIF ’21) has been selected for the Schwarzman Scholars Program to pursue a Master’s in Global…

Events

Banjaara 2026

Banjaara 2026

April 10, 2027 @ 6:00 am

The Great Ashokan Weekend (TGOW)

The Great Ashokan Weekend (TGOW)

October 25 @ 8:00 am

Ashoka Literature Festival

Ashoka Literature Festival

January 29, 2027 @ 6:00 am

MCWB Health Camp

MCWB Health Camp

November 2 @ 9:00 am

Agneepath

Agneepath

February 5, 2027 @ 8:00 am

View All Events

Learning Resources

#AshokaIsForAll: Anurit Kanti’s Path from Ashoka University to Global Impact

Since graduating from Ashoka in 2016 (and 2015 from YIF), I have worked in various capacities in the sustainability and […]

‘How to Change a Life’ – A Course in Behavioural Science

We are at the dawn of an exciting journey for behavioural science in India. There is great demand, but the […]

‘Hollywood started feeling a bit like home’

I was born and raised in New Delhi. I studied at Delhi University before setting on the incredible Young India […]

YIF Class of 2027 Brochure

Commencement of the Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies is subject to approval from the relevant statutory and regulatory bodies.

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