AICTE Launches Industry Fellowship Programme 2026, Offers Faculty ₹1 Lakh Monthly Stipend

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched the Industry Fellowship Programme (IFP) 2026, a new initiative designed to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry by providing faculty members with hands-on industrial experience.

The programme aims to bridge the gap between classroom teaching and evolving industry requirements by enabling educators from AICTE-approved institutions to spend a year working directly with leading companies. Officials believe the initiative will help faculty gain practical insights into emerging technologies, workplace practices and industry expectations, which can then be integrated into academic curricula.

Applications for the fellowship are currently open, with the last date for submission set for June 25, 2026. Selected candidates will begin their industry immersion on July 20, 2026, and participate in the programme for one year.

Under the fellowship, participants will receive a monthly stipend of ₹1 lakh. AICTE will contribute ₹75,000 per month, while the partnering industry organization will provide a minimum of ₹25,000 per month. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with major industry partners, including Tata Consumer Products, Hero MotoCorp and Volvo. Together, these organizations are offering 134 fellowship positions for the 2026 cycle.

To be eligible, applicants must be 50 years of age or younger as of May 26, 2026, and possess at least five years of full-time teaching experience in an AICTE-approved institution. In addition, candidates must meet at least one qualifying criterion, such as clearing examinations like GATE, CAT, NET or GRE; publishing a minimum of five research papers in reputed indexed journals; leading government-funded research projects worth at least ₹15 lakh; or receiving recognized academic or scientific awards.

The selection process will consist of three stages, including document screening by an AICTE committee, an interview conducted by industry partners and final verification of credentials.

Education experts view the programme as a significant step toward improving industry-academia collaboration and ensuring that technical education remains aligned with rapidly changing workforce demands. By exposing faculty members to real-world industrial environments, AICTE hopes to enhance the quality, relevance and employability focus of engineering and technical education across the country.