The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar has launched the Explorer Fellowship program, designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore various regions of India and gain invaluable real-world insights. This initiative encourages participants to step beyond their usual environments, interact with individuals from diverse communities, and cultivate skills such as resilience, adaptability, and self-assurance.
For the 2026 session of this six-week program, a total of 63 student teams submitted applications, out of which 56 teams have been selected to take part. Since its inception in 2015, the Explorer Fellowship aims to foster experiential learning by inspiring students to broaden their horizons and deepen their understanding of India through direct experiences.
IIT Gandhinagar offers financial assistance under a budget-friendly travel scheme, enabling students to journey across the country while learning to manage their resources wisely and travel sustainably.
According to Prof. Manish Kumar, Dean of Student Affairs at IITGN, “This pioneering initiative among IITs promotes connections with individuals, communities, and realities outside the campus. By traveling throughout India and facing new challenges, students enhance their confidence, empathy, independence, and decision-making abilities. This program reflects IITGN’s ongoing commitment to providing a well-rounded education for its students.”
Eligibility for the fellowship is open to IITGN students aged 18 and above. Participating candidates are required to travel across six states, ensuring that at least one state is from the North-East, one from the North, and one from the South. Students must utilize sleeper-class train accommodations or state-operated buses for their travels and opt for budget-friendly lodging such as youth hostels and homestays.
Prof. Chetan D. Pahlajani, Convener of the Explorer Fellowship Program, expressed enthusiasm about the creativity displayed by students each year in developing innovative themes for their journeys. These themes have included topics such as architecture, dams, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and regional culinary and fashion variations.
The experiences provided by the fellowship, as detailed in a recent press release, promote engagement with real-world situations across India, fostering teamwork, adaptability, and meaningful connections among peers. During their travels, participants will delve into local cultures, traditional crafts and textiles, regional cuisines, historical sites, community ventures, and the varied socio-economic landscapes, making this fellowship a distinctive educational experience outside of traditional classroom settings.
