Internships & Jobs

The United Kingdom has opened applications for the 2026–27 GREAT Scholarships, offering Indian students financial support of at least £10,000 for one-year postgraduate courses across 12 universities. The initiative, jointly run by the British Council and the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, aims to make higher education in the UK more accessible to international students.

Participating institutions include renowned universities such as Queen’s University Belfast, Royal College of Art, and University of Bristol, among others. The scholarships cover tuition fees and are available across a wide range of disciplines, from arts and humanities to science and technology.

The programme is particularly significant for Indian students, as rising tuition costs often act as a barrier to studying abroad. Education experts note that schemes like GREAT Scholarships, along with Women in STEM and university-specific awards, reflect the UK’s continued push to attract talented graduates from India. The initiative also encourages scholars to remain engaged as alumni and contribute to socio-economic development after completing their studies.

To be eligible, applicants must be Indian citizens with an undergraduate degree, meet English language requirements, and demonstrate a clear interest in their chosen field. In addition to academic criteria, candidates are expected to participate in networking events, act as programme ambassadors, and stay connected with the British Council and their respective universities.

Applications must be submitted directly through the websites of participating universities, with deadlines varying by institution. Experts advise students to begin the process early—even with predicted results—to secure conditional offers for competitive programmes. Successful candidates will be informed by their universities, and the scholarship amount will be disbursed after enrolment.

A recent policy shift under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY has triggered concern across India’s medical community, as hundreds of experienced cancer specialists have been barred from treating patients due to new eligibility norms. The rule mandates that only doctors with super-specialty degrees recognised by the National Medical Commission—such as DM, MCh, or DrNB—can provide treatment under the scheme, effectively excluding fellowship-trained oncologists.

The move impacts over 300 specialists nationwide, many of whom trained at premier cancer institutes and bring decades of clinical experience. Despite their expertise, these doctors are now deemed ineligible, including some who have previously taught degree-holding oncologists. The exclusion stems from updated guidelines following the transition from the Medical Council of India to the NMC in 2020, which prioritised formal degree pathways over fellowship-based training.

The implications are particularly severe for patients in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. India already faces a significant shortage of cancer specialists, with roughly one medical oncologist per million people and only around 4,000 oncosurgeons nationwide. In smaller cities where private insurance coverage is limited, PMJAY often serves as the primary access point for affordable cancer care. With fewer eligible doctors, patients may now be forced to travel to overcrowded metro hospitals, increasing the risk of delayed diagnosis and treatment in time-sensitive cases.

Medical associations, including the Indian Medical Association and the Indian Association of Surgical Oncology, have urged authorities to revisit the policy. They argue that fellowship-trained oncologists, particularly those from reputed institutions or with substantial experience, should be included in eligibility criteria. Many doctors have also raised concerns about the retrospective application of the rule, warning it could set a precedent affecting other government health schemes.

With both the National Health Authority and the NMC yet to resolve the issue, the situation remains in a state of uncertainty. Some affected practitioners are now considering legal action, even as the broader healthcare system grapples with balancing regulatory standards and urgent patient care needs.

The number of fellowships available to minority students in India has dropped sharply, mainly after MANF was canceled in 2022.

Shahid, a Ph. D. student at Jamia Millia Islamia, grew up in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. His family never had anyone go to college before. After earning his Master's in 2021, he got into a doctorate program with dreams of becoming a professor.

The fellowship that helped him pay for it - Maulana Azad National Fellowship - was gone the same year he started. Now, it was meant to fund M Phil and ph. D. Work for minority applicants. Without it, his path became harder to follow.

“It was a dream to get into a Ph.D. programme,” Shahid said. “But without a fellowship, survival became the first challenge.”

Fellowships: The Backbone of Research Access

This fellowship has long been a lifeline for first-gen students stepping into research. And the university Grants Commission reported 6,722 beneficiaries from MANF between 2014, 15 and 2021 - 22, with 738.85 crore paid out. It seems hard to ignore how its end left a gaping hole.

Shahid had no choice but to take on loans, ask family for help, and do freelance gigs. He kept applying for the JRF, but it was too competitive - no guarantee of success. Without steady income, survival became harder and so did his academic progress.

He missed key conference slots like IIT Kanpur and kalyani University because registration costs were simply too high. “I had my work ready,” he said, “but not the means to present it.”

A Systemic Decline in Fellowship Support

The shuttering of MANF aligns itself with a larger narrative of shrinking fellowship and scholarship for minority students. For example, Maulana Azad Education Foundation's grant plunged by 99% in the year 2022, which practically put a cap to its functioning in terms of helping education.

The scaling down of other schemes too, is a fact. Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship was only given partial support, and Padho Pardesh Scheme, which was the interest subsidy for educational loans abroad, was discontinued.

Another major point leading to this change is, the Budget allocation. Merit-cum-Means Scholarship has been drastically cut while the actual disbursement under Post-Matric and Pre-Matric has been almost zilch, in spite of initial allocations. Altogether these patterns show that though money is made available practically accessibility to fellowships is being restricted.

From Research to Survival

The impact of fellowship cuts is being felt beyond Ph.D. scholars. Blessy K. Abraham, a student at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi, says rising education costs have forced her to rely on crowdfunding.

“Scholarships earlier made education manageable,” she said. “Now they barely cover anything.”

In the absence of reliable fellowships, students are increasingly turning to part-time work, teaching assistantships, or informal financial support—often compromising their academic focus.

Experts Flag Long-Term Consequences

Experts warn that weakening fellowship systems could deepen structural inequalities. Salman Khurshid, former Union Minister for Minority Affairs, has argued that such schemes were introduced to address systemic disadvantages identified by the Sachar Committee.

“If support systems are withdrawn, the idea of equal opportunity becomes hollow,” he said.

Academic voices echo this concern. Zoya Hasan of Jawaharlal Nehru University describes the trend as “structural exclusion,” cautioning that reduced financial support could further lower minority participation in higher education and research.

Uncertain Future for Aspiring Scholars

Further complicating the situation is the policy uncertainty. Scrutiny of irregularities in the scholarship grant process has stalled decisions, and as a result, many schemes have not been implemented and the students have been kept waiting.

At Jamia, Shahid is still trying to finish his thesis but the money problems have not only slowed down his academic progress but also changed his goals.

"My first intention was to have a career in teaching, " he said. "At this point, I only want a steady job."

While India is on the path to build a knowledge-based economy, the decreasing number of fellowships is prompting an urgent question: is it the country's policy to allow financial constraints to determine who has the right to engage in research and higher education?

For many PhD aspirants in India, the path to a doctorate is turning into a financial gamble instead of an academic one. State fellowship delays are piling up, and national funding just isn't keeping pace. Scholars are left scrambling to fund their own research, often cutting deep into their savings or assets.

The thing is, Lakshmi (name changed) from a state university in Maharashtra shows what happens when promises go unfulfilled. She quit her job to go full-time for her PhD and waited on a fellowship from BARTI. Three years passed with no new notice. Now she's pawned her gold just to cover living costs and keep the household going. That's not hypothetical, it's real life.

Students say the impact is immediate and severe. Interruptions in research, such as fieldwork, travel, and even the participation in academic activities, have become inevitable. Some students might be dependent on family earnings for support, whereas others face difficulties in securing teaching assistant positions that are limited and often inadequate. Those in their late twenties who have to simultaneously support their families financially generally find it even more difficult to continue with their studies.

However, even where fellowship programs are in place, students still experience a lot of problems. In the state of Karnataka, a monthly stipend of only 10,000 is not really appreciated by the majority of students, and on top of that, it is still quite common for the payment to be delayed from time to time. In the same way, in the State of Gujarat, a good number of students have complained that due to the long drawn-out selection procedure, they ended up waiting for almost a year in order to get their first installment.

Things are no different at the national level. The University Grants Commission (UGC) offers a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) which is a very attractive scholarship. However, a huge number of the exam takers do not qualify for the fellowship. Out of the more than one million candidates who appear for the exam every year, only around 11,750 get JRF seats. Therefore, most of the Ph.D. aspirants have to depend on the unpredictability of the state schemes or alternatively find some other source of income.

The result is a fragmented and uncertain funding ecosystem that can even lead to leaving out capable researchers simply on the basis of their financial conditions without taking into account their academic potentials. Experts are cautioning that these gaps may cause a weakening of India's research output in the long run as scholars would have to choose between survival and scholarship.

The crisis highlights the desperate need for overhaul. It is time for the government to put fellowships on time, increase the capital, and remove the red tape which would be the only way to make sure that doing a PhD is something you can count on at least academically and not a financial risk.

Immediate hiring is underway for Admission Counselor positions across four major cities: Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, and Bangalore. This full-time opportunity welcomes both freshers and experienced candidates with a Bachelor's degree in Education, Communications, or related fields. Perfect for job seekers passionate about student recruitment and higher education careers.

The Admission Counselor role focuses on guiding prospective students through the enrollment process, from application review to program counseling. Successful candidates will earn competitive salaries, career growth in education recruitment, and the chance to work with diverse student populations across India's top institutions.

What Admission Counselors Do (Key Responsibilities)

Admission Counselors serve as the first point of contact for students and families, handling everything from initial inquiries to final enrollment. Daily tasks include:

• Student Advising: Explain admission processes, academic programs, financial aid options, and campus life during one-on-one sessions, webinars, and presentations.
• Application Review: Evaluate transcripts, documents, and eligibility to ensure students meet requirements.
• Recruitment Events: Organize campus tours, college fairs, open houses, and high school visits to attract applicants.
• Relationship Building: Partner with schools, community organizations, and counselors to drive enrollment.
• Application Support: Help students complete forms, submit documents, and navigate online systems.
• Data Management: Track prospects, maintain records, and report trends to improve recruitment strategies.

This role suits organized individuals who enjoy people-facing work and staying updated on admission policies and university programs.

Admission Counselor Job Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Communications, Marketing, or similar field
• Freshers welcome; 1-2 years experience in admissions/sales preferred
• Skills: Excellent verbal/written English + Hindi/regional language, organizational ability, MS Office proficiency
• Soft Skills: Professional demeanor, cultural sensitivity, detail-oriented mindset

Technical Skills: Familiarity with student management software (training provided). Must represent the institution positively at events.

Admission Counselor Salary and Experience

Freshers: ₹3.5-5 LPA + incentives (travel allowance, performance bonuses)
Experienced (2+ years): ₹5-8 LPA + targets-based commissions

Locations: Multiple Cities Hiring Now

How to Apply for Admission Counselor Jobs

1. Update Resume: Highlight communication skills, education background, any sales/counseling experience
2. Cover Letter: Mention preferred city and why you love student recruitment
3. Send Applications: Email 
4. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
5.  with subject "Admission Counselor [City] Application"
6. Walk-Ins Welcome: Bangalore candidates can visit recruitment drives (details via email)

Required Documents: Resume, degree certificate, ID proof. Interviews within 7 days.

Why Admission Counselor Jobs Are Booming in 2026

India's education sector needs 10,000+ counselors annually as private universities expand. With NEET/JEE counseling season approaching, companies seek proactive communicators who convert inquiries to enrollments. Freshers get trained, no prior experience needed beyond graduation.

Perfect for: Recent graduates, B.Ed holders, MBA freshers, career changers from sales/marketing.

Apply today, positions fill fast during peak admission season. Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Bangalore hiring now for full-time Admission Counselor roles with immediate joining.

The Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University is pushing hard for internship-based learning in its 2026 admissions, launching a new Bachelor of management Studies programme at the Indian Institute of packaging. It seems hard to ignore how much industry exposure is now central to their teaching model.

Students can get real-world experience through partnerships with tech Mahindra Foundation, Udayan Care, IAWRT, Public Service Broadcasting Trust, Kiran Nadar Museum of art, and ayudham Society. These roles cover media, social development, corporate settings, and cultural institutions, lots of fields. The thing is, this isn't just about short-term work; it's woven into the curriculum from day one.

The BMS programme offers 60 seats over four years and builds practical skills alongside theory. Students learn managerial thinking, data analysis, and workplace habits early on. The goal is clear: graduate ready to take on real responsibilities in business environments. This focus makes sense for today's job market. There's no denying how much hands-on training shapes student outcomes.

Similar to that, the University School of Liberal Arts' BA Liberal Arts (Hons.) program also makes internship a very essential part of its multidisciplinary framework. Organisations from different domains will be used by the students to understand the practical aspect of the subjects they are studying.

Both programs' admissions will be through the university's Common Entrance Test (CET) and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) giving the students more than one way to get entry. The focus however is not only on admission but also on how students are prepared to go through the workforce during their study period.

Implementing the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) changes, GGSIPU's scheme of work aims at real-world-based learning and internships, fieldwork, and project-based assignments form the main parts of the curriculum. This method makes sure that students earn their degrees along with having industry exposure and skills that are required for employment. In keeping with the rising competition in the job market, GGSIPU's internship-based approach is a clear indication of the bigger change in higher education from just teaching students to preparing them through experience for the challenges of the world from the very first day.