A Peer Learning Experience Like No Other

The YIF cohort is rich in demographic diversity. Fellows come from different geographies, varied education disciplines, and socio-economic backgrounds. Many of them excel in extracurricular activities and avocations and have won accolades in their areas of expertise. A substantial percentage of the cohort also has work experience. With excellent academic support, infrastructure, and resources, the Fellowship becomes a platform for the Fellows to share knowledge.

At the YIF, an engineer, a filmmaker, a history major, a Kathak dancer, a chartered accountant, a social entrepreneur, a dentist, and a journalist, all attend lectures together. This creates an unparalleled peer learning environment rich with multiple perspectives.

Every aspect of the YIF, whether academic, experiential, cultural, or informal, allows you to engage with your diverse set of peers in multiple ways and build a close-knit community. Every year, fellows come together to organize the Friends of YIF Day – an opportunity for you and your peers to showcase your talent to members of the Ashoka community. Fellows also self-organize to learn from each other – from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and becoming a pro at Excel, to learning arts like sculpting and body flow movement.

The Young India Fellowship - Class of 2025

Meet the Incoming Class

Mihika Kotian

YIF Class of 2026

Senior Analyst, Forensics at Ernst and Young
BCom, Accounting and Finance, Jai Hind College, Mumbai

Nikhil Mohandas Bilwe

YIF Class of 2026

Founder/ Lead, BRIGHT Social Organisation
MA, Development Studies, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Tamil Nadu
BSW, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati

Shadab Farooq

YIF Class of 2026

Independent Filmmaker and Journalist
MA, Mass Communication, AJK MCRC Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
BA (Honours), English, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi

Laxmi Krishnan

YIF Class of 2026

Founder, Mirable Collective
MA, English Literature, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai
BA English Literature, V G Vaze College, Mumbai

Santosh Rasve

YIF Class of 2026

Assistant Project Manager at Foundation for Ecological Security
MA, Public Policy and Governance, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad
BA, Political Science, Fergusson College, Pune

Sooraj S

YIF Class of 2026

Visiting Artist, Adishakti Laboratory for Theatre Art Research
BA (Honours), History, Ambedkar University, New Delhi

Pragati Madhogarhia

YIF Class of 2026

Research Intern, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
BA, Economics, Media Studies, Political Science, Christ University, Bengaluru

Know more

Meet the Class of 2025

Manali Ravindra Ghodeswar

YIF Class of 2025

BA, Political Science, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur
MA, Political Science, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur