What is the purpose of Right To Information Fellowship?

Right To Information Fellowship is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.

Who can apply for Right To Information Fellowship?

Eligibility for Right To Information Fellowship may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.

What benefits are offered under Right To Information Fellowship?

Benefits under Right To Information Fellowship may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.

Which department manages Right To Information Fellowship?

Right To Information Fellowship is managed by Department of Personnel and Training and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.

Can users apply online for Right To Information Fellowship?

Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Right To Information Fellowship through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for Right To Information Fellowship?

Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.

Where can users apply for Right To Information Fellowship?

Applications for Right To Information Fellowship may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.

What documents may be required for Right To Information Fellowship?

Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.

Is income certificate required for Right To Information Fellowship?

Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Right To Information Fellowship.

Is Right To Information Fellowship a central government scheme?

Yes, Right To Information Fellowship is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.

Can students apply for Right To Information Fellowship?

Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Right To Information Fellowship depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.

Is scholarship amount provided under Right To Information Fellowship?

Right To Information Fellowship may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.

Can CSC centres help users apply for Right To Information Fellowship?

Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.

How can users check the latest updates for Right To Information Fellowship?

Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.

Can beneficiaries track application status for Right To Information Fellowship?

Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.

Where can users get help for Right To Information Fellowship in All India?

Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.

Which nearby public services may help with Right To Information Fellowship applications?

Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.

RTIF

Right To Information Fellowship

6.6/10

The Right To Information Fellowship offers four short-term fellowships aimed at individuals engaged in journalism, civil society, and RTI training. These fellowships are designed to facilitate field-based research on various themes related to the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Each selected fellow will receive a monthly stipend of ₹ 50,000 for a duration of three months, along with an additional grant of ₹ 50,000 to cover research-related expenses such as books, travel, and production costs. Applicants must be between 25 and 40 years old and have a background in journalism or civil society, with proven experience in RTI-related work. The research output produced during the fellowship may take various forms, including monographs, investigative stories, or multimedia projects, and will be owned by the Government of India, which may publish the findings to enhance the RTI regime. This initiative aims to deepen understanding of RTI and its implications through rigorous research.

Central Cash

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances And Pensions

Nodal department: Department of Personnel and Training

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Internship

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Internship, Student, RTI, Journalism, Communication

Details

The Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India, is the nodal Ministry for the Right to Information Act. The primary goal of the "Right to Information Fellowship" scheme is to contribute towards more accountable and transparent government and it has several components including programmes for awareness generation, training and e-governance initiatives for RTI for achieving the purpose. Under this scheme, DOPT proposes to offer 4(Four) short-term fellowships to researchers from the field of media / Civil Society professionals / RTI Trainers to conduct field-based research on themes relating to RTI. It is hoped that the research output will enhance the understanding of the status of the implementation of the act, including its successes, constraints in its implementation and how those are being / could be overcome and what more needs to be done to help achieve the objectives of the Act.

Benefits

Stipend
A stipend of ₹50,000/- per month for three months. (subject to tax deduction at source) Additional Grant
₹50,000/- for books, research material, travel, printing, production of creatives, etc., sanctioned on the basis of the research proposal and released on production of actual bills

Stipend

A stipend of ₹ 50,000/- per month for three months. (subject to tax deduction at source)

Additional Grant

₹ 50,000/- for books, research material, travel, printing, production of creatives, etc., sanctioned on the basis of the research proposal and released on production of actual bills.

Eligibility

The applicant should be a professional in the field of journalism (newspaper/ magazine/ radio/ TV), Civil Society and research and training in the field of RTI.
The applicant should be between 25 and 40 years of age.
The applicant should have proven credentials in his / her professional area.
The applicant should have some prior experience of work relating to the Right to Information.
The applicant should have an aptitude for research.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

6.6

/ 10

Public Benefit Score

Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate

Rural usefulness 7.0/10 Good

Application complexity 5.0/10 Moderate

Financial impact 8.0/10 Good

Literacy barrier 2.0/10 Good

Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate

Awareness 7.5/10 Good

Implementation reliability 8.0/10 Good

Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens

Accessibility5.0
Financial impact8.0
Rural utility7.0
Awareness7.5
Simplicity5.0
Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Right To Information Fellowship provides valuable opportunities for individuals in journalism and civil society to enhance their understanding of the RTI Act through research.

Key challenges addressed

Enhances understanding of the RTI Act
Promotes accountability and transparency in governance

Most beneficial for

Journalists
Civil Society Professionals
RTI Trainers

Likely challenges

Limited awareness among potential applicants
Complex application process for some

Practical insights for citizens

The requirement for prior experience and specific qualifications may limit participation.

Rural challenges

Limited access to information about the fellowship
Challenges in offline application submission

Digital challenges

Low digital literacy
Limited access to online resources

Implementation bottlenecks

Potential delays in application processing
Need for interviews that may not be accessible to all

Awareness challenges

Low awareness among rural populations
Limited outreach efforts

Application analysis

Application mode: Offline office
Documents burden: Moderate
Verification complexity: Moderate
Office dependency: High
DBT dependency: No
CSC support: Limited
Estimated citizen effort: High

Estimated beneficiary reach

Rural / urban reach Moderate
Gender reach Moderate
Occupation reach Media and Civil Society

Benefit analysis

Benefit type: Cash
Benefit frequency: One-time stipend for three months
Benefit practicality: High, as it supports research-related expenses
Financial meaningfulness: High, with a total of ₹ 1,50,000 available
Long-term impact: Potentially significant if research findings are published and utilized

Plain-language guidance

The Right To Information Fellowship offers financial support for research on the RTI Act. It is aimed at journalists and civil society professionals looking to deepen their understanding of RTI.

Who should apply: Individuals aged 25-40 with a background in journalism or civil society.
Who may struggle: Semi-literate individuals and those unfamiliar with the application process.
Best application route: Apply by sending the application to the Department of Personnel and Training in New Delhi.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Offline

Five sets of the application with enclosures in the prescribed proforma may be sent by post to:
Under Secretary (IR), Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi - 110 001

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

Will Short-Listed Candidates Be Required To Attend An Interview Or Presentation?: Yes, short-listed candidates may be called for an interview or presentation in Delhi as part of the final selection process.
Can Individuals Working Under Central/State Government Or Public Sector Undertakings Apply For The Program?: Yes, individuals working under Central/State Government or Public Sector Undertakings are eligible to apply. They need to submit their applications through proper channel and may send an advance copy along with the required enclosures.
What Happens If An Application Is Incomplete?: Incomplete applications are liable to be rejected, so it is important to ensure that all the required information and documents are included.
Are Only Indian Nationals Eligible To Apply For The Fellowship?: Yes, only Indian nationals are eligible to apply for the fellowship program.
Will Any Form Of Canvassing Affect The Selection Process?: Yes, canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification from the selection process. Applicants are expected to follow a fair and unbiased approach.
Will There Be Any Interim Enquiries Or Correspondence Entertained?: No, no interim enquiries or correspondence will be entertained. Applicants will be informed of the final decision once the selection process is completed.
What Should The Research Proposal Indicate?: The research proposal should clearly indicate the deliverable or output that will be produced at the end of the fellowship. This could be in the form of a monograph, features/news stories, investigative stories, or even short video films or stories, depending on the applicant's field of expertise.
Who Will Own The Copyright Of The Research Output?: The copyright of the research output will vest in the Government of India, which may publish the research output or use it in any other way to strengthen the working of the RTI regime.
Can The Fellows Choose The Format Of Their Research Output?: Yes, fellows can choose the format of their research output based on their expertise and preferences. It could be a monograph, features/news stories, investigative stories, short video films, or other suitable formats.
Will The Government Of India Publish The Research Output?: The Government of India may publish the research output and use it to enhance the functioning of the RTI regime. They have the right to utilize the research output for various purposes.
Will The Fellows Retain Any Rights Over Their Research Output?: While the copyright of the research output belongs to the Government of India, the fellows may be granted permission to use the output if the government does not utilize it within one year.
Is There A Specific Word Count Requirement For The Monograph?: The proposal should include a monograph of approximately 10,000 words, which should be ready for publication. However, the specific word count requirement may vary depending on the nature and depth of the research.
Can Fellows From Various Fields, Such As Journalism Or Audio-Video Media, Apply For The Program?: Yes, professionals from various fields, including journalism or audio-video media, are eligible to apply for the program. They can contribute their expertise and deliver research output in their respective domains.
Can Fellows Propose Innovative Approaches Or Methodologies For Their Research?: Yes, fellows are encouraged to propose innovative approaches or methodologies that can add value to their research. The program aims to foster creativity and new perspectives in addressing RTI-related issues.
What Happens If A Fellow Is Unable To Deliver The Proposed Research Output?: Fellows are expected to fulfill their commitment and deliver the proposed research output. However, in exceptional circumstances, such as unforeseen challenges or genuine reasons, they should communicate with the concerned authorities to discuss alternative arrangements.
Will The Research Output Be Evaluated Before Publication Or Use By The Government?: The research output may go through an evaluation process before publication or use by the government. The evaluation may include reviewing the quality, relevance, and alignment with the objectives of the RTI regime

Official links

References

Official Website: https://rti.dopt.gov.in/

Apply

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Right To Information Fellowship?: Right To Information Fellowship is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Right To Information Fellowship?: Eligibility for Right To Information Fellowship may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Right To Information Fellowship?: Benefits under Right To Information Fellowship may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Right To Information Fellowship?: Right To Information Fellowship is managed by Department of Personnel and Training and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Right To Information Fellowship?: Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Right To Information Fellowship through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Right To Information Fellowship?: Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Right To Information Fellowship?: Applications for Right To Information Fellowship may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Right To Information Fellowship?: Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for Right To Information Fellowship?: Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Right To Information Fellowship.
Is Right To Information Fellowship a central government scheme?: Yes, Right To Information Fellowship is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can students apply for Right To Information Fellowship?: Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Right To Information Fellowship depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Right To Information Fellowship?: Right To Information Fellowship may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Right To Information Fellowship?: Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Right To Information Fellowship?: Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Right To Information Fellowship?: Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Right To Information Fellowship in All India?: Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Right To Information Fellowship applications?: Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.