Chaudhary Charan Singh Fellowship 2026 by Kisan Trust [₹35k/Month, 02 Slots]: Apply by April 1

The Chaudhary Charan Singh Fellowship 2026 has been officially announced by Kisan Trust during the Amroha Kaushal Mahotsav by Hon’ble Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary.

This one-year, full-time research fellowship invites applications from PhD scholars and post-doctoral researchers working in the areas of public policy, governance, and political economy in India.

Selected fellows will receive an honorarium of ₹35,000 per month for one year. Only two fellows will be selected. The application deadline is 1 April 2026.

About the Chaudhary Charan Singh Fellowship

The Chaudhary Charan Singh Fellowship is a policy-focused research initiative inspired by the ideas and public contributions of Chaudhary Charan Singh. The fellowship aims to encourage serious scholarship that connects academic research with real-world governance and development challenges.

Instituted by Kisan Trust, the program supports research that engages with themes such as agriculture, rural livelihoods, land reforms, markets, institutions, and state capacity. The objective is not only to generate academic output but also to contribute meaningfully to contemporary policy discourse in India.

Depending on the research design, fellows may undertake fieldwork or institutional engagement across different regions of India. Official travel related to fellowship activities will be supported by the Trust.

The fellowship will begin on 1 June 2026.

Fellowship Highlights

• Duration: 1 year (full-time)
• Number of Fellows: 2
• Honorarium: ₹35,000 per month
• Fellowship Start Date: 1 June 2026
• Application Deadline: 1 April 2026

Research Focus and Expected Outputs

Fellows are expected to undertake structured and policy-relevant research aligned with governance, political economy, and public policy. At the start of the fellowship, a detailed research plan must be submitted.

During the program, fellows will produce research papers and/or policy briefs and participate in seminars or workshops organised by Kisan Trust. A final report summarising key findings will be required at the end of the fellowship term.

Selected fellows may also contribute research inputs to charansingh.ai — a digital knowledge platform being developed to curate and present the writings, speeches, and archival materials of Chaudhary Charan Singh. The platform is envisioned as a long-term public research resource.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open to Indian citizens who meet the following criteria:

Applicants must be registered PhD scholars in humanities or social science disciplines, or post-doctoral researchers within five years of completing their PhD. Their research interests should align with public policy, governance, political economy, or allied areas. Prior policy-oriented research or field experience will be considered an advantage.

Applicants must be able to commit full-time to the fellowship for one year.

Application Process

The online application process opened on 12 February 2026. Applicants must submit a detailed research proposal of up to 3,000 words outlining their research objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and how their work connects with the ideas and legacy of Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interaction or interview as part of the final selection process.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Form: https://bit.ly/4ttmknH
Official Notification: https://www.kisantrust.net/ccs-fellowship/

Important Dates

Applications Opened: 12 February 2026
Application Deadline: 1 April 2026
Announcement of Fellows: 1 May 2026
Fellowship Begins: 1 June 2026

Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Why This Fellowship Matters

With only two positions available, the Chaudhary Charan Singh Fellowship 2026 is a highly competitive opportunity for early-career researchers seeking structured mentorship and policy engagement. The ₹35,000 monthly honorarium, combined with institutional support and national-level research exposure, makes it one of the notable public policy fellowships in India for 2026.

For scholars working at the intersection of governance, rural development, and political economy, this fellowship offers both intellectual depth and policy relevance.

Interested and eligible candidates are encouraged to apply before 1 April 2026.

Click here to see the official notification of Chaudhary Charan Singh Fellowship 2026