Right to Information Fellowship

Key facts

Benefit	₹50,000 monthly for 3 months
Who	Journalists, civil society professionals, researchers, trainers
Age limit	25 to 40 years
How paid	Monthly stipend
Implemented by	Department of Personnel and Training
Official portal	dopt.gov.in
Application window	Application timing not specified in the source.

Benefits

Beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend of ₹50,000 for three months, along with an additional grant of ₹50,000 for research-related expenses, subject to submission of actual bills.

Who can apply

Age 25–40
For: journalist, civil society professional, researcher, trainer
not income tax payer
no government employee in family

Applicants must be between 25 and 40 years old and work as journalists, civil society professionals, researchers, or trainers. They should not be income tax payers and must not have any government employees in their family.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted offline in a prescribed format to the Department of Personnel and Training.

Prepare five sets of the application with required documents.
Draft a comprehensive research proposal outlining the subject and deliverables.
Include a curriculum vitae and a passport-sized photograph.
Provide a statement of work done in the field of RTI.
Obtain two professional references and a no-objection certificate from your employer.
Send the complete application by post to the Under Secretary (IR), DOPT, Government of India, New Delhi.

Apply on the official website ↗

Documents required

comprehensive proposal
curriculum vitae
statement of work in RTI
two references
no-objection from employer
passport sized photograph

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
Application incomplete	Ensure all required documents and information are included to avoid rejection.
Payment not received	Check if the application was approved and all necessary documentation was submitted.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the fellowship?

The fellowship is open to Indian nationals aged 25 to 40 who are journalists, civil society professionals, researchers, or trainers in the field of RTI.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants need to submit a research proposal, CV, statement of work in RTI, two references, a no-objection certificate from their employer, and a passport-sized photograph.

Is there an interview process for shortlisted candidates?

Yes, shortlisted candidates may be called for an interview or presentation in Delhi as part of the selection process.

What happens if my application is incomplete?

Incomplete applications may be rejected, so it is crucial to ensure all required information and documents are included.

Can government employees apply for the fellowship?

Yes, government employees can apply but must do so through the proper channel and submit an advance copy of their application.

What is the expected output of the research?

The research proposal should indicate a deliverable, which could be a monograph, news stories, or other formats based on the applicant's expertise.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.