top of page

Young India Fellowship

Final application deadline for the YIF Class of 2024 is 20th March 2023

Young India Fellowship 2023 Admissions Process

  • The selection process for the Young India Fellowship program for 2023 is aimed at admitting an exceptional and diverse group of individuals from both India and abroad. This is accomplished through a rigorous and comprehensive process that is context-specific to each applicant. We recognize that there are differences in access and privilege among candidates, and thus, we review each applicant's submission based on their personal context.

The Young India Fellowship 2023 process consists of the following stages:

  • Stage 1: Holistic Application Assessment (Rolling) This stage involves a careful and thorough evaluation of each application. We consider the candidate's personal context, academic records, professional background, interests, and aspirations. The essay section is a crucial aspect of the application, as it enables us to understand how applicants think, reflect, and engage with ideas and the world around them.

  • (Optional) Application for Need-based Financial Aid (Once in each Round) Shortlisted candidates may apply for need-based financial aid (up to 100%) independently. Candidates also have the opportunity to explore education loans.

  • Stage 2: Personal Interview (Rolling) YIF interviews are usually 25-40 minute conversations between the candidate and two panelists (faculty, leadership, or alumni). A few candidates may be invited for a second conversation.

  • Stage 3: Decisions (Once in each Round) Applicants typically receive one of the following decisions: offer of admission, waitlisted for admission, or denial of admission. In the case of an offer of admission, candidates also receive a decision on their financial aid package (if awarded). A few admitted candidates may also receive an invitation to interview for the Chancellor's Merit Scholarship.

  • Selection Timeline: Class of 2024 The YIF admissions process consists of two rounds. Each round accepts applications within a specific time-frame and selects Fellows from the pool of submitted applications in that round. Rolling assessments mean that early applications will be assessed on a priority basis, and interviews will be conducted on a priority basis for those who submit applications early and are shortlisted. However, the decision stage is not rolling, and all decisions for candidates in each round will be communicated together.

  • Please note that candidates can only apply once in the admissions cycle and only in one round. If the early round deadline is missed, candidates can complete their application before the final round deadline.

Young India Fellowship 2023 Eligibility

  • The upcoming YIF Class of 2024 is set to include approximately 100 exceptional individuals from both India and abroad, selected through a rigorous and comprehensive screening process for their exceptional intelligence, inquisitiveness, and overall excellence.

  • These promising individuals will undergo a year-long residential program of multidisciplinary education and multidimensional learning at Ashoka University, culminating in the acquisition of a post-graduate diploma in liberal studies upon successful completion of all required credits.

  • Beyond this, YIF graduates will gain membership into a global network of emerging leaders and change-makers for the 21st century, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth, collaboration, and impact.

  • To qualify for the Young India Fellowship's intake for the year 2023-24, candidates must have successfully completed a recognized undergraduate program or its equivalent in any discipline by July 2023.

  • The application is open to

    • (1) individuals who will be completing their undergraduate studies or its equivalent by the summer of 2023, as well as those who have prior work experience, postgraduate credentials, are entrepreneurs, freelancers, on a gap year, or preparing for competitive examinations, among other backgrounds.

    • (2) Individuals of all ages and from a variety of academic, geographical, professional, and socioeconomic backgrounds can apply.

 

The Young India Fellowship program for 2023 has been a popular choice for many individuals for several reasons, including:

 

  1. Transitioning to new career paths

  2. Exploring self-discovery and discovering purpose Developing 21st-century skills

  3. Building stronger networks Gaining exposure to new perspectives

  4. Becoming part of a community of innovative thought leaders and change-makers.

  5. The YIF program for 2023 provides a unique platform for individuals from diverse academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds to come together and grow both personally and professionally.

​

Whether one is seeking a career change, personal growth, or the chance to engage with emerging ideas and networks, the YIF is a great opportunity to achieve these objectives.

Ashoka University Placements 

  • Ashoka University is known for its academic rigor and interdisciplinary approach to education. While academic excellence is a key focus, the university also places great emphasis on ensuring that students are well-prepared for the professional world. This is reflected in the comprehensive placement program that Ashoka University offers to its students.

  • The Ashoka University placement program is designed to connect students with organizations that are looking for talented individuals to join their teams. The program is open to all students, from undergraduate to postgraduate level, and provides a platform for students to explore various career options and make informed decisions about their future.

  • One of the key highlights of the Ashoka University placement program is the number of participating companies. Over 350 companies from various industries participate in the program, which provides students with a diverse range of opportunities to choose from. The program also boasts of impressive median corporate salary ranges across all cohorts. The median corporate salary range for Young India Fellows (YIF) is 11 LPA, while for Master of Arts in Economics (MA Eco) it is also 11 LPA, for the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research (ASP) it is 10.5 LPA, and for undergraduate students, it is 8 LPA. The highest salary offered through the placement program has been 33 LPA.

  • The range of roles offered by companies during Ashoka University placements is also impressive. Students have the opportunity to work in diverse fields such as consulting, marketing, research, analytics, and social sector roles. Some of the roles offered include Associate Consultant, Brand Strategy Associate, Business Analyst, Business Development Senior Manager, Business Strategist, BPM Manager, Consultant, Counselor, Data Scientist, Executive Assistant, Full Stack Developer, HR Business Partner, Investment Analyst, Imagineer, Management Trainee, Marketing Associate, Operations Functional Lead, Project Management Analyst, Product Manager, Product Development Associate, Program Coordinator, Project Manager, Publishing Relations Associate, Research Analyst, Research Associate, and Strategic Initiatives Manager.

  • The industry-wise breakup of placements is also indicative of the diverse range of opportunities that students can explore through the Ashoka University placement program. Startups account for the largest share of placements at 26%, followed by the social sector/think tanks at 14%. Other industries that offer a significant number of placements include e-learning/edtech/education (12%), media/advertising (8%), BFSI (8%), consulting (7%), consulting (other) (6%), internet/technology (4%), IT/BPO (4%), research/analytics (4%), pharma/healthcare (3%), and retail/conglomerate (2%).

  • Overall, the Ashoka University placement program offers students a wealth of opportunities to explore and prepare for their future careers. The comprehensive program, which brings together a diverse range of companies from various industries, along with the impressive median salary ranges, makes Ashoka University an ideal choice for students looking to build a successful career.

About Young India Fellowship 2023

The Young India Fellowship is a renowned residential postgraduate diploma program in liberal studies offered by Ashoka University. Since its inception in 2011, the YIF has been dedicated to nurturing socially conscious leaders and change-makers for the 21st century. Each year, the program handpicks a diverse cohort of exceptional individuals from some of the most prestigious colleges and universities across India, such as St. Xavier’s Bombay, TISS Mumbai, LSR, SRCC, IITs, NIIT, BITS Pilani, ILS Law College Pune, NLUs, among others. Through the YIF, fellows are equipped with critical thinking and writing skills, leadership and group dynamics, and exposed to various disciplines. This transformative experience empowers fellows to become collaborative problem-solvers, and valuable contributors to society.

Young India Fellowship 2023 Dates & Deadlines

  • Application Deadline: 20 March 2023

  • Documents and Letter(s) of Recommendation Deadline: 10 April 2023

  • Application for Need-based Financial Aid: 3 to 10 April 2023

  • Personal Interviews (Rolling): Upto April 2023

  • Offer of Admission: Mid-May 2023

Young India Fellowship 2023 Program Structure

  • At Ashoka University, the Young India Fellowship (YIF) provides Fellows with a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge beyond their previous academic and professional experiences. The program offers a multidisciplinary approach that enables them to develop and refine skills that are in high demand across industries, such as Writing, Collaboration, Communication, Problem-Solving, Critical Thinking, and Leadership.

  • The year-long YIF program is divided into eight terms, each lasting approximately six weeks. The majority of courses are taken as a cohort of around 100, with a few select Special Seminars offered as smaller classes of around 25 students. Along with academic coursework, the program includes two flagship components that run for eight to ten months of the year.

  • The Critical Writing program trains Fellows to read and analyze texts critically, think deeply, and write effectively. This helps them to hone their communication and writing skills, which are essential in any profession. The Experiential Learning Module (ELM) allows Fellows to apply their learning and improve their skills through hands-on experience by working on real-world projects. This gives them a chance to work on projects and initiatives outside the classroom that provide practical experience, which helps them to build a solid foundation for their future careers.

  • Overall, the YIF program at Ashoka University is designed to provide young leaders with a well-rounded education that goes beyond just academics. It prepares them to be problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and effective communicators, who are ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. The program's unique blend of academic coursework, critical writing training, and experiential learning opportunities sets Fellows up for success in any field they choose to pursue.

bottom of page