
Atal Good Governance Fellowship
About the Fellowship
India’s rise as a confident and capable democracy rests on the pillars of visionary leadership, strong institutions, and effective governance. Few leaders embodied this vision as clearly as Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, whose legacy of good governance, technological progress, and inclusive development continues to shape Bharat’s future. At Kshetra, we honour this legacy by building a new generation of leaders committed to public service innovation, policy excellence, and systemic reform.
The Atal Good Governance Fellowship is designed for professionals who are driven to transform how governance is imagined and delivered in India. The fellowship focuses on high-impact verticals such as public policy, political governance reforms, foreign relations, security studies, e-governance and digital public infrastructure, and innovation in public service delivery. It places fellows at the intersection of policy design, field implementation, and institutional transformation—especially at the district and state level.
Grounded in the ideals of Viksit Bharat, cooperative federalism, and inclusive development, this fellowship offers a front-row seat to the functioning of governance ecosystems. Fellows will work closely with bureaucrats, technocrats, elected representatives, and think tanks to craft and implement solutions that enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen-centricity in government systems.
The program provides exposure to real-world policy execution, use of technology in governance, and research-backed innovations in administrative reform. Whether it's improving digital public infrastructure, optimizing service delivery through data, or contributing to foreign policy analysis and national security frameworks—fellows will be at the heart of change-making processes. Through the Atal Good Governance Fellowship, Kshetra seeks to build a cadre of sharp, ethical, and committed professionals who are equipped to rethink governance in the spirit of Atal Ji’s visionary leadership. This is a space for those who believe governance is not just about systems, but about people—about enabling every citizen to access the full promise of democracy. If you're passionate about building effective, inclusive, and future-ready institutions, this fellowship is your chance to contribute directly to the making of a Viksit Bharat.
Eligibility Criteria
Selection Process
Step 1
Application
Students submit their project work, relevant past experience, and resume for evaluation. Shortlisted candidates then move on to the next round of assessments based on fit and alignment with our initiatives.
Step 2
Assignment
After the application submission stage, candidates are given an assignment to gauge their real-world experience, a crucial step in our selection process. This allows us to assess their practical skills and suitability for the role.
Step 3
Interview
Finally, candidates move to an online interview as part of our evaluation process at Kshetra. This interview allows us to assess their interpersonal communication skills and assess their fitness in consideration to our organizational values.
Roles And Responsibilities
As part of fellowship, candidates are supposed to perform following tasks:

01.
Design and support implementation of governance reforms at the district and state levels to improve administrative efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric service delivery.
03.
Collaborate with government officials and think tanks to co-create data-backed policy frameworks and support their translation into actionable programs.
05.
Analyze and evaluate ongoing government schemes and policies, offering recommendations to improve design, implementation, and impact.
07.
Assist in drafting white papers, governance manuals, and strategy notes to help stakeholders at all levels of government make informed decisions.
09.
Facilitate capacity-building workshops for local administrators, public servants, and elected representatives on governance technology and institutional innovation.
02.
Conduct research and policy analysis on key governance challenges, including institutional development, decentralization, and public service innovation.
04.
Leverage digital technologies and public infrastructure tools (e.g., Aadhaar, DigiLocker, UMANG) to enhance access and streamline delivery of public services.
06.
Support knowledge exchange between states and districts, documenting and disseminating best practices in governance innovation and cooperative federalism.
08.
Work on policy areas intersecting with national priorities, including foreign relations, national security, infrastructure planning, and sustainable development.
10.
Promote inclusive governance models by integrating grassroots feedback into policy design and ensuring representation of marginalized voices in decision-making processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills will
I develop during the fellowship ?
Fellows will gain experience in policy design, public systems innovation, institutional reform research, digital governance tools, inter-governmental coordination, and field-level implementation of citizen-centric governance models.
Where will the fellowship be based, and how can I apply?
Fellows will be placed in key districts, state capitals, and policy hubs across India, working with public institutions and think tanks. Applications must be submitted via our website and include a written task, interview, and review of relevant governance or policy experience.
Is the fellowship
paid and what is its duration?
Yes, the Atal Good Governance Fellowship is a paid, full-time program. Fellows will receive a monthly stipend to cover basic living and travel expenses during their fieldwork. The standard duration of the fellowship is two to three months, with a possibility of extension based on performance, project requirements, and mutual agreement.