AI SummaryRight to Information Fellowship is a short-term research fellowship run by the Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. The department offers this fellowship to media professionals, civil society experts, and RTI trainers who want to study how the Right to Information Act actually works on the ground. Selected researchers get a monthly stipend plus a separate grant for books, travel, and research material.
Note: This fellowship is a call-based scheme. DOPT invites applications in batches, and the last call for applications was RTI Fellowship 2021. As of 2 August 2026, no new call has been announced, so there is no open application window right now. New calls are published on the official DOPT website, and interested people should keep an eye on it.
Right to Information Fellowship - Introduction
DOPT runs this fellowship under its plan scheme for effective implementation of the Right to Information Act. Each call offers four short-term fellowships of three months each. The idea is simple: let people who work closely with RTI study its successes, the problems people face while using it, and how the Act can be made more effective.
The research output can be a 10,000-word monograph ready for publication, investigative news stories for print or broadcast media, or short video stories for audio-video professionals. The final output stays with the Government of India, which holds the copyright, though the government may allow the fellow to publish it later if it does not use the work within one year.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Right to Information Fellowship |
| Run By | Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT) |
| Level | Central |
| Eligible People | Media professionals, civil society experts, RTI trainers |
| Age Limit | 25 to 40 years |
| Fellowship Duration | 3 months |
| Fellowships Per Call | 4 |
| Stipend | ₹2,00,000 (₹50,000 per month + ₹50,000 final payment) |
| Research Grant | ₹50,000 (on actual bills) |
| Application Mode | Offline (by post) |
| Official Website | dopt.gov.in |
Benefits
Selected fellows get financial support for the full research period. The stipend is paid in monthly parts, and a separate grant covers research expenses.
| Benefit Component | Amount |
| Monthly Stipend (subject to TDS) | ₹50,000 |
| Research & Travel Grant (on actual bills) | ₹50,000 |
| Final Payment (on deliverable acceptance) | ₹50,000 |
The total stipend works out to ₹2,00,000. The monthly part of ₹50,000 is paid when the expert group accepts the progress report for that month. The research grant of ₹50,000 is released against actual bills for books, travel, printing, production, and creative work. The last ₹50,000 is paid after the final output is submitted and accepted.
Eligibility
The fellowship is open to working professionals, not students. The main conditions are given below.
- Applicants should be working in journalism (newspaper, magazine, radio, or TV), civil society, or research and training related to RTI.
- Age should be between 25 and 40 years on the date of application.
- Applicants should have proven credentials in their professional field and some prior experience of work related to RTI.
- Only Indian nationals can apply.
- People working in Central or State Government or public sector units must send their applications through the proper official channel.
Application Process
Applications are accepted only when DOPT issues a fresh call, normally through an office memorandum on its website. When a call is open, the process works like this:
STEP 1 - Download the prescribed proforma and the guidelines from the official DOPT website. Fill in every field, because incomplete applications are rejected in the first screening itself.
STEP 2 - Prepare five complete sets of the application with all enclosures, including the research proposal, CV, references, and the no-objection certificate from the current employer.
STEP 3 - Send the hard copies by post to Under Secretary (IR), Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi - 110 001, before the last date given in the call.
Government employees can send one advance copy directly while their application moves through the proper channel. The department does not answer interim enquiries; candidates are informed only after the selection is final. Any form of canvassing leads to disqualification.
Documents
Each application set should carry the following documents:
- A detailed research proposal of 6 to 8 A4 pages covering the subject, research plan, and final deliverable.
- Curriculum vitae of not more than 3 A4 sheets with a recent passport-size photograph.
- A brief statement of the work done by the applicant in the RTI field.
- Two references from professionals familiar with the applicant's work.
- A no-objection certificate from the present employer.
Selection Process
Applications are evaluated by a committee of eminent people from governance, research, media, and training. The proposal carries the most weight, with the quality of the research plan marked out of 40. Short-listed candidates may be called to Delhi for an interview or a presentation before the final selection.
References
Official Guidelines for Right to Information Fellowship (PDF)
RTI/IR page of DOPT with fellowship application form
RTI Fellowship guidelines and fellows' reports on the RTI portal
Application form for RTI Fellowship (Form RTI/IR-6)
FAQ's
Is the RTI Fellowship open for applications right now?
No. It is a call-based scheme, and the last call was RTI Fellowship 2021. As of 2 August 2026, no new call has been announced. Watch the official DOPT website for the next notice.
Will short-listed candidates be called for an interview?
Yes. Short-listed candidates may be invited to Delhi for an interview or a presentation as part of the final selection.
Can government employees apply for the fellowship?
Yes. Central and State Government employees and public sector staff can apply, but they must send the application through the proper official channel. They may also send one advance copy directly.
What happens if my application is incomplete?
Incomplete applications are rejected in the initial screening itself. Make sure every field is filled and all enclosures are attached.
Are foreign nationals eligible?
No. Only Indian nationals can apply for this fellowship.
Does canvassing affect the application?
Yes. Any form of canvassing leads to immediate disqualification. Keep the process fair and professional.
Will the department answer interim enquiries?
No. The department does not entertain interim correspondence. Candidates are informed of the final outcome once the selection procedure ends.
Who owns the copyright of the research produced?
The copyright rests with the Government of India. The government may publish the research or use it in any way to improve the RTI regime. If the government does not use the output within one year, the fellow can ask for permission to publish it.
Can I choose my own research theme?
Yes. Any theme related to RTI is acceptable as long as the proposal explains how it serves the objective of the scheme. Awareness, the role of civil society, proactive disclosures, and the working of Information Commissions are some suggested areas.