Become Public Policy Expert at IIMs with Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship

The Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) is an opportunity for young, dynamic individuals to contribute to enhancing skill development and promote rural employment in the country. MGNF is an initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India (GoI) that is designed and implemented by 9 IIMs without even the Common Admission Test (CAT) Scores.

The fellowship is being offered by IIMs in Bangalore, Jammu, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Nagpur, Ranchi, Udaipur, Visakhapatnam and Bangalore. The programme will prepare policy leaders and policy professionals with skills, wisdom and ethics to imagine, design and implement relevant solutions to India’s policy and governance challenges. The institutes will focus on designing and management of public policy has initiated new debates, discoveries and developments that have further offered the scope to explore their capabilities to make meaningful impact.

• Should be a citizen of India
• Age between 21-30 years at the time of application
• At least a graduate in any discipline (Engineering, Law, Medicine, Social Sciences, etc.) from a recognized university or a post-graduate from a recognized university
• Three years of work experience after secondary schooling in the social/non-profit sector with an interest in working in rural areas is preferred. However, individuals with no work experience and a strong motivation to work in this area may apply.
• Ability to express proficiency in the official language used in the state government

The programme will not only serve as an in-depth understanding of what public policy is, but will also equip fellows with design and management precepts, with the objective to develop better systems thinkers and policy executives. Fellows will learn not only about public policy analysis, the development of policy, but also the integration of practical concerns of finance, capabilities and ethics, as well as best practices of implementation, management and assessment, across the domains of public administration and public policy.

While working with the District Skill Committees (DSCs), the fellows will also write a position paper on the district’s eventual growth trajectory and long-term skilling strategy. At the end of the two-year programme the fellows will be absorbed by various ministries and government departments.

The Fellowship is a commitment to serve with District Skill Committee (DSC) in a full-time capacity. Fellows are expected to work within the framework of the activities of the DSC and engage on activities required by respective IIMs (for example, collect details on schemes, understand district requirements, write cases in consultation with State Resource Associate, and the Faculty Panel, etc.)

The application window for 2021-23 admissions is now open. Application window open till March 27, 2021. 

MGNF Exam will be held on the 3rd week of April 2021. Selected Candidates will be then called for personal interview.

There will be 100 multiple choice-type questions consisting of four sections and no negative marking:

• General Awareness (GA)
• Quantitative Ability (QA
• Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR)
• Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC)

Admit cards will be available from 1st week of April, 2021. 

Around 660 fellows will be recruited for the 2021-23 session. The candidate will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 during the first year and Rs 60, 000 during the second year:

Institute	Number of Fellows(2021-23)
IIM Ahmedabad	112
IIM Lucknow	118
IIM Jammu	50
IIM Ranchi	62
IIM Nagpur	40
IIM Bangalore	78
IIM Udaipur	61
IIM Visakhapatnam	76
IIM Kozhikode	65

Certificate of Completion: MGNF is a Certificate Program in Public Policy and Management offered by host IIMs. It has been designed at the initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India (GoI). 

Moreover it is expected that on successful completion of MGNF, the graduating Fellows will have a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of rural economies, the ability to identify skill gaps, and design ways to address them in a way that the government can take action. The ability to understand what promotes livelihoods, and constrains economic development will be key assets for the graduating Fellow. We anticipate that the graduating Fellows will be successful in finding consulting jobs with state and national government departments across all domains, in private consulting jobs, and with CSR based organizations, non-profit foundations. For those interested in start-ups, this program provides valuable insights and connects that can help them understand the entrepreneurship ecosystem that exists and how to leverage that in their districts as well.

Are you ready to be the future public policy leader?

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