The Teach For India Fellowship offers young graduates a two-year opportunity to work as full-time teachers while building leadership skills for a career in the social sector. Applications for the 2027 cohort are open, and eligible candidates can apply through the official portal.
Teach For India is a non-profit organisation working towards educational equity in the country, and the Fellowship is its flagship leadership development programme. It places Fellows in classrooms across nine major Indian cities, giving them hands-on teaching experience along with training in leadership and management. Here is everything applicants need to know about the Teach For India Fellowship, including eligibility, stipend, benefits and the application process.
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What is the Teach For India Fellowship?
The Teach For India Fellowship is a two-year, full-time programme that places Fellows as teachers in English medium government or affordable private schools serving low-income communities. Fellows are placed in one of nine cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai or Pune.
During the Fellowship, participants teach in a classroom between grade 1 and grade 10, handling batches of 40 to 80 Students. A Fellow may work as a class teacher covering all subjects, or as a subject teacher for English, Mathematics, Social Studies or Science.
| Duration | Two years, full-time |
| Placement Cities | Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune |
| Grade Level | Grade 1 to Grade 10 |
| Class Strength | 40 to 80 Students |
| Medium of Instruction | English |
The Fellowship Journey
The Teach For India Fellowship experience unfolds across five stages that build up to Fellows joining the Alumni movement after completion.
- Residential training at the Institute, where incoming Fellows learn the skills and mindsets required to teach.
- Placement as a full-time teacher in a school serving Students from low-income communities.
- Ongoing learning through classroom experiences, with reflection alongside peers and a Program Manager.
- An optional summer internship after the first year, exploring a different dimension of educational equity.
- A second year of teaching combined with an entrepreneurial Be The Change project and a career fair to explore post-Fellowship opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria for Teach For India Fellowship 2027
Candidates applying for the 2027 Teach For India Fellowship cohort must meet the following conditions:
- Have completed graduation by June/ July 2027.
- Be applying for the first time for the 2027 Fellowship cohort since July 2026.
- An applicant can apply only once during each selection cycle.
- Be a citizen of India or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
There is no requirement for prior teaching experience to apply for the Teach For India Fellowship. The organisation states that adequate training is provided to help Fellows develop the knowledge and skills required to teach effectively.
Beyond the formal eligibility conditions, Teach For India also looks for certain qualities in applicants, including a belief in equitable and excellent education for all, leadership potential, courage, perseverance, critical thinking, and openness to collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
Stipend & Benefits
Fellows selected for the programme receive a monthly stipend along with additional allowances and benefits during the two-year commitment.
| Stipend | ₹ 30,000 per month |
| City Compensatory Allowance | ₹6,000 to ₹12,600 per month, depending on placement city |
| Health Insurance | Coverage of up to ₹1,00,000, along with free counselling access |
| Other Support | Reimbursement of work-related expenses, casual and sick leave, holidays, summer break, and access to a career fair after the Fellowship |
What after the Teach For India Fellowship?
Teach For India also supports Fellows in transitioning to careers after completing the two-year programme. Alumni of the Fellowship have gone on to work across the Education, Development and Governance sectors, with over 200 Alumni now serving as CXOs and senior leaders across public, private and social organisations. More than 160 organisations in the social sector have also been founded by Teach For India Alumni.
In the last quarter of the second year, Teach For India organises two Career Fairs for its Fellows: an Internal Career Fair for staff roles within the organisation, and an External Career Fair featuring over 100 employers from the education, social development and corporate sectors. Fellows also receive support through resume-building sessions and mock interviews.
Steps to Apply for Teach For India Fellowship
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the Teach For India Fellowship through the following steps:
- Visit the application portal by clicking on the link given below in the “Important Links” section.
- Register and complete the online application form with personal, academic and professional details.
- Submit the form within the ongoing selection cycle window.
- Track further communication from Teach For India regarding the next stages of the process.
Candidates should note that deferrals are not currently offered for the Fellowship, given schools’ changing yearly needs. Fellows are also not permitted to take up any other professional or academic engagement during the two years of the programme.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prior teaching experience required to apply for the Teach For India Fellowship?
No. Teaching experience is not required. Adequate training and development is provided to help Fellows learn the skills of teaching.
Where will Teach For India Fellows be placed?
Fellows are placed as full-time teachers in schools across nine cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.
What stipend does a Teach For India Fellow receive?
Fellows receive a stipend of INR 30,000 per month, along with a City Compensatory Allowance of INR 6,000 to INR 12,600 depending on the placement city.
Can a candidate defer their place in the Teach For India Fellowship?
No. Deferrals are not currently offered, due to the changing needs of schools each year.
Can a Fellow take up another job or course during the Fellowship?
No. The Fellowship is a two-year full-time commitment, and Fellows are not permitted to be involved in any other professional or academic engagement during this period.
For more updates on fellowships and education opportunities, click here.
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