India Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) Fellowship Program 2026 | ₹ 75,000 per month
- Omran Aburayya
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you are an early‑career professional eager to drive meaningful social‑sector change through government systems, then the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP) Fellowship Programme is a compelling opportunity. This two‑year full‑time fellowship places you at the heart of policy implementation, data‑driven governance and systemic reform across India’s public sector.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Projects will be deployed in Indian state capitals or major cities, in close collaboration with State or Central government departments.
Organizer: Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP)
Study/Appointment Level: Fellowship for young professionals (bachelor’s degree or higher) — not a traditional academic scholarship, but a full‑time work‑based fellowship.
Target Group: Candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher, up to ~2 years of work experience (after graduation) in relevant fields; interest in policy, social sector, data analytics and public administration.
Fields of Focus: Policy implementation, data analysis, monitoring & evaluation of public schemes, stakeholder engagement, developing systems for transparency & accountability in governance.
Value & Coverage: Fellows receive remuneration of ₹ 75,000 per month (subject to taxes) plus travel expense reimbursements for field‑visits.
Duration: Two‑year full‑time appointment.
Application Deadline: For the 2026 cohort the registration opens 7 November 2025 (precise closing date to be checked on CRISP site).
📚 Fellowship Overview
The CRISP Fellowship Programme gives selected Fellows the opportunity to work directly within government‑linked projects addressing scheme implementation, system redesign and monitoring. They work in collaboration with CRISP and state/central government partners to bring outcome‑focused reform to social‑sector schemes.
Fellows are expected to take up substantive roles such as:
Leading state‑level projects linked to MoUs between CRISP and state governments.
Undertaking field research, data synthesis and reporting on scheme implementation and bottlenecks.
Working across government departments to facilitate convergence and operational efficiency in scheme delivery.
Receiving weekly mentoring by senior CRISP members (senior ex‑bureaucrats) to develop their skills in governance, analysis and stakeholder management.
💲 Fellowship Benefits
Competitive remuneration: Approx. ₹ 75,000 per month (plus field travel expenses) makes this a well‑paid entry into governance reform work.
Practical on‑the‑ground exposure: Fellows gain hands‑on experience in policy implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and change management within government systems.
Mentorship and professional growth: Regular mentorship from senior decision‑makers, exposure to high‑level governance, and development of technical and non‑technical competencies (data analytics, report writing, stakeholder engagement).
Network and influence: Placement across state‑government systems gives access to senior bureaucrats, policy‑makers and real‑world processes of reform.
Impact‑driven work: The role emphasises outcome‑focus, accountability and large‑scale welfare gains — shifting away from input‑oriented delivery.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Required:
Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant discipline.
Up to ~2 years of work experience after graduation.
Good academic record and evidence of participation in socially relevant activities at college/university.
Proficiency in English and at least one local language (often the language of the project state) is required.
Preferred Competencies:
Prior exposure to policy or development sector, monitoring & evaluation, research or programme management.
Strong data‑analysis skills, proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ability to work with data insights for decision‑making.
Excellent communication, professional report writing, stakeholder engagement and adaptability to diverse contexts.
📝 Application Procedure
Visit the CRISP website during the registration window (for 2026: from 7 November 2025) and complete the online application.
Submit required materials which typically include:
Certificates of all educational qualifications (pl ensure that the size of
the file is below 200 KB)
Certificates of experience (size to be below 200 KB) (Please note that
there is no special weightage for the experience; it is only to know your background)
Passport-size photo (png/jpg format, less than 200 KB)
Signature scan image (png/jpg format, less than 200 KB)
CV or Resume (pdf/png/jpg format, less than 200 KB)
Evidence of having participated in social outreach activities in the past (pdf/png/jpg format, limit 5 MB)
Short account (200 to 300 words) of what motivated you to apply for CRISP Fellowship
Selection process includes: an AI‑proctored written test (cognitive + essay components), followed by one or more interview rounds with CRISP leadership.
Successful candidates will be notified and expected to join on the designated start date.
🗂️ Resources
👌🏻 Tips for Applicants
Align your profile: Emphasise your quantitative/data‑analysis skills, report‑writing experience, and motivation for governance and social‑sector reform.
Demonstrate familiarity with policy, monitoring & evaluation concepts or programme management—even if your degree is in engineering, analytics or related fields.
If you have experience (even academic) with data visualisation, modelling, analytics, or use of AI tools (as the fellowship emphasises analytics), make that clear.
Show cultural and contextual readiness: The role may require relocation and working in diverse state contexts—highlight your adaptability and language flexibility.
Prepare thoroughly for the written test and essay—practice clear analytical writing, structured argumentation and sector‑specific examples (social welfare, scheme implementation, data‑driven reform).
Use your cover letter or application to articulate how your background (e.g., your data analytics/statistical modelling interest) can contribute to CRISP’s mission of outcome‑focused governance reform.
Early submission can help, and make sure all documents (CV, transcripts, motivation/essay) are well‑formatted and free of error.
✨This Fellowship presents a strong opportunity for early‑career professionals interested in the interface of data analytics, public policy, social welfare and governance reform.