The eligibility criteria for selection as a Fellow can be the following:

• 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.

• The program is open to all candidates who are in the age group of 21 – 30 years of age at the time of application. As the closing date for applications is 27th of March 2021, hence, you are eligible if you are born in-between 27-03-1991 and 27-03-2000.

We expect the candidates to:

• display a commitment and passion towards skill/rural development.
• display an ability to work in challenging environment with colleagues from different backgrounds.
• possess adaptability, commitment, perseverance, and initiative

• 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.

• The only essential criteria are that candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any academic discipline. Candidates with master's degrees are welcome to apply but will not have an advantage over other candidates. Similarly, the MGNF does not give preference to any particular academic discipline.

• Yes, it is very important to be able to converse, read and write the local language since assignment to a state will be driven by the candidate’s ability to participate in the language of communication used by the state government. Candidates should have proficiency in any one or more of the following languages: Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Mizo, Nepali, Odiya, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu.

• Yes, English is important. The Entrance test is in English. Further, candidates are expected to able to converse, read and write in English given that the medium of instruction during the on-campus module at IIMs is English.

• No, you are not eligible to apply since you must submit your graduation marksheet at the time of submitting the application.

• Applications to MGNF 2021-23 are currently closed.

• Yes, you can the state of your choice in the application form, provided you are proficient in the local language of the state. However please note that the final decision on the state will be based on the candidate’s language ability, performance during interviews, MSDE priorities, and judgement of candidate fit arrived at during the admissions process.

• Yes, the entire application needs to be completed in one session. If you exit the application form before completing it, the information will not be saved. We recommend that you keep all the relevant documents at hand before starting the application so that your session does not expire.

• The Fellowship is open to Indian citizens only. "Indian citizen" implies someone holding an Indian passport or eligible to hold one. Individuals holding PIO/OCI cards are not eligible for the MGNF.

• Yes, you can re-apply in the next academic year. You’ll have to submit a fresh application the following year.

• The application fee is INR 500 + GST.

• Candidates applying by March 7, 2021 will be eligible for a discounted application fee of INR 400 + GST.

• The Statement of Purpose should not be more than 800 words.

• Your statement of purpose should identify professional and academic goals. You can discuss what excites you about MGNF and how you propose to contribute to it based on your past work history, your interests, and any other relevant experience. Your statement should offer insight into who you are as an individual.

• We ask the candidates to provide two references, either academic or professional. Please mention current designation of the referees while providing their details.

• All the three marksheets - 10th, 12th, and Graduation (and Post-graduation, if applicable) must be uploaded on the application portal.

• Yes, applicants belonging to SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)/EWS/PwD category must upload relevant, currently valid reservation documents issued by a competent authority.

• Try using a different browser. We prefer Chrome, but you should be able to access the application on Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer as well.

• If refreshing the page does not work, it could be an issue with our website. If it is still not working within an hour, please email helpdesk.mgnf@gmail.com for help.

• Please be sure you are following the character limit guidelines. As a reminder, these are character limits (spaces count as characters), not word limits.

• All submitted applications are final. Please carefully review your application before submitting.

More questions? Please email helpdesk.mgnf@gmail.com

Applicants will be short-listed on the basis of:

• A multiple choice-based aptitude exam to test the applicant’s General Awareness (GA), Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). This will be physically conducted in each of the state capitals keeping in mind physical distancing norms and other relevant safeguards considering COVID-19.
• Candidates shortlisted after the MCQ based written exam will be invited for personal interaction comprising of three parts; namely Case Writing Ability (CWA) written exam, personal interview, and written Language Proficiency Test (LPT) to judge the candidate’s fit, motivation, and proficiency in the official language of the state applied for respectively. These interviews will be conducted in the state capitals.

• We do not offer Skype or phone interviews. Candidates are expected to make their own arrangements and pay for all expenses incurred while attending the interview in person.

• We aim to contact all short-listed applicants for interview by end of April, 2021. Please ensure the email address you include in your application is valid, and check your junk mail, as bulk-generated mailings may end up there.

• The interviews will take place during the second week of May to end of May.

• The interview will be held in the capital of the states.

• MGNF classes and District Immersion responsibilities are tentatively scheduled to start in Ocotber 2021.

• No, you cannot defer your placement. However, you can re-apply in the next academic year.

• As per the standard government guidelines, Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a mandatory requirement for anyone traveling to Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland from other places. ILP can be applied online, and the candidates can mention the hotel name and address as a local reference in the ILP application form. Candidates may explore the below online link to apply for the ILP:
  Arunachal Pradesh: https://arunachalilp.com/
  Mizoram: https://police.mizoram.gov.in/online-ilp-portal/
  Manipur: http://manipurilponline.com/
  Nagaland: https://ilp.nagaland.gov.in/

ILP is usually available within one working day using the online portal.