The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has introduced the Industry Fellowship Programme 2026 to promote stronger collaboration between technical institutions and industry. The programme enables eligible faculty members to work with participating industries while remaining associated with their parent institutions, supporting the exchange of practical knowledge and academic expertise.
The fellowship forms part of AICTE’s broader efforts to strengthen industry-academia engagement, encourage applied research and help align technical education with evolving industry requirements. The current application cycle is governed by the official programme notification issued by AICTE.
Last Updated: July 3, 2026
Verification Status: Information in this article has been compiled from the AICTE Industry Fellowship Programme 2026 notification (issued on May 26, 2026), the AICTE Industry Fellowship Portal and related official programme documents available at the time of publication.
Programme Overview
|
Particular |
Details |
|
Programme |
AICTE Industry Fellowship Programme 2026 |
|
Conducting Authority |
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) |
|
Application Mode |
Online |
|
Eligible Applicants |
Regular full-time faculty members of AICTE-approved institutions |
|
Official Portal |
ifp.aicte.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy all eligibility conditions prescribed in the official AICTE guidelines.
Employment Status
Eligible applicants must:
- Be Indian citizens.
- Be serving as regular, full-time faculty members in an AICTE-approved institution or university.
The following categories are not eligible:
- Contractual faculty
- Ad-hoc faculty
- Temporary faculty
- Part-time faculty
- Visiting faculty
Teaching Experience
A minimum of five years of full-time teaching experience at an AICTE-approved institution is required. Time spent on deputation or while pursuing doctoral or post-doctoral research is not counted towards this requirement.
Age Limit
According to the official notification, applicants must be 50 years of age or below as on May 26, 2026.
Fellowship Limit
An eligible faculty member may avail the AICTE Industry Fellowship a maximum of two times during their professional career.
Academic or Professional Qualification
In addition to the basic eligibility conditions, applicants must fulfil at least one of the following requirements.
|
Accepted Qualification or Achievement |
|
Qualified GATE, GRE, CAT, MAT, NET, JRF, SRF or an equivalent examination |
|
Published at least five research papers in Scopus or Web of Science-indexed journals |
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Completed a government-funded research or consultancy project worth at least ₹15 lakh |
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Received a recognised Young Scientist Award or another equivalent academic distinction |
|
Secured a university or CFTI rank, completed a doctoral degree with honours or received a Best Thesis Award |
Important Timeline
|
Event |
Status |
Date |
|
Applications open |
Confirmed |
May 26, 2026 |
|
Application deadline |
Confirmed (Extended) |
July 5, 2026 |
|
Screening and interviews |
Confirmed |
Up to July 15, 2026 |
|
Offer letters |
Expected |
By July 15, 2026 |
|
Fellowship commencement |
Expected |
July 20–25, 2026 |
Verification Note: The above schedule is based on the latest official AICTE notification available at the time of publication. Any subsequent notification issued by AICTE will supersede these dates.
Application Process
Applications are accepted exclusively through the AICTE Industry Fellowship portal.
- Obtain a Nomination and No Objection Certificate (Annexure-I) from the Principal or Director.
- Register using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Complete the online application form.
- Upload the prescribed supporting documents.
- Review the application before final submission.
Required Documents
|
Document |
|
Passport-size photograph |
|
Aadhaar Card |
|
PAN Card |
|
Graduation and postgraduate certificates with mark sheets |
|
Experience certificates |
|
No Objection Certificate (Annexure-I) |
|
Notarised Affidavit (Annexure-II) |
Selection Process
The selection process comprises three stages:
- Document Evaluation: AICTE verifies eligibility, experience and supporting documents.
- Industry Interview: Participating organisations shortlist and interview eligible candidates.
- Final Verification: The hosting industry completes credential verification before issuing the final offer.
Service Bond
Selected faculty members are required to execute a service bond with their parent institution before joining the fellowship. As the parent institution continues to pay the faculty member’s regular salary during the fellowship period, the fellow must return and serve the same institution for at least three consecutive years after completing the programme.
Educational Significance
The fellowship is intended to strengthen industry participation in technical education by providing faculty members with practical exposure to current technologies and professional practices. The experience gained through the programme may contribute to curriculum improvement, applied research, innovation and stronger institutional partnerships between academia and industry.
Fraud and Safety Advisory
Applicants should submit applications only through the official AICTE Industry Fellowship portal. AICTE does not authorise third-party agents to guarantee selection or seek payment for processing applications. Applicants should not share OTPs, passwords or personal credentials with unknown individuals and should verify emails, calls or messages through official AICTE communication channels before responding.
Official Sources
This article is based on:
- AICTE Industry Fellowship Programme 2026 Notification (issued on May 26, 2026)
- AICTE Industry Fellowship Portal
- Official AICTE programme guidelines and application documents
Readers may also refer to the latest notification available on the AICTE portal for any amendments or additional instructions.
Editorial Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and editorial purposes. Programme guidelines, eligibility conditions, timelines and application procedures may be revised by AICTE after publication. In case of any discrepancy, the latest official AICTE notification and updates published on the AICTE Industry Fellowship Portal shall prevail. Applicants are advised to verify all details before submitting their applications.