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

New Delhi, February 24, 2025: Ashoka University, India’s premier interdisciplinary higher education and research institution announces that the second and final round of applications for the Young India Fellowship (YIF) Class of 2026 is now open. All Fellows selected for the upcoming cohort of the Young India Fellowship (Class of 2025-26) will receive scholarships ranging from 25% to a full 100% waiver covering tuition, residence, and meals along with stipends for additional financial assistance. The prestigious Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship will also continue to be awarded in the Class of 2026. The final deadline for applications is 10th March 2025.
 
Instituted in 2011, the flagship YIF programme is a year-long residential postgraduate diploma that educates and nurtures Fellows to solve the most pertinent problems that will ultimately create a better world. Each year, around 100 driven individuals are immersed in a multidisciplinary education, exploring diverse fields, engaging in interdisciplinary learning, and collaboratively solving real-world problem statements.
 
Currently, 81% of the Young India Fellows are either partially or fully funded with 60% of the cohort benefiting from a full tuition waiver or more. Notably about one-third of the Class of 2025 Fellows identify as first-generation college goers, and 61% as female. From the next year, Ashoka University is furthering its commitment to making the Fellowship more accessible to exceptional and deserving individuals coming from all walks of life. The increase in scholarships for the current and next cohort has been made possible primarily through the generous support of HDFC Bank.
 
“We are glad to be supporting Ashoka’s flagship programme through scholarships, making education more accessible to many deserving students. We wish all success to Young India Fellows.” shared Nusrat Pathan, CSR Head, HDFC Bank. 
 
Reflecting on these developments, Pramath Raj Sinha, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University, said, “The YIF has always been close to my heart, given that it predates the formation of Ashoka University. With increased scholarships thanks to generous contributions by HDFC Bank, we want to truly attract the best and brightest, to experience what this unique programme offers.”
 
Commenting on the YIF’s future, Somak Raychaudhury, Vice Chancellor, Ashoka University said, “I am greatly enthused and excited about this new chapter where the programme is evolving its mission and funding. I look forward to supporting this ambitious programme and to teaching future generations of Fellows, which continues to be among my most cherished experiences.”