About Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF)
The Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) at IIM Visakhapatnam is a 2-year fully government-funded fellowship in public policy and management, jointly administered by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and nine IIM partner institutions. Selected fellows receive a monthly stipend of INR 50,000 in Year 1 and INR 60,000 in Year 2, with no tuition fee charged. Fellows work alongside District Collectors on skill development and livelihood projects.
📋 Admission Status: Admissions expected to open February 2027 (Tentative).
Key Points
- 3 to 5 percent selection rate across India makes this highly competitive
- Government-funded accommodation and travel for all field postings
- Post-Graduate Certificate awarded by IIM Visakhapatnam on completion
IIM Visakhapatnam MGNF Fees 2027
| Component | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| Programme Tuition Fee | Nil (fully funded by Government of India) |
| Year 1 Annual Stipend (received by fellow) | INR 6,00,000 |
| Year 2 Annual Stipend (received by fellow) | INR 7,20,000 |
| Total Stipend (2 Years) | INR 13,20,000 |
- Year 1 stipend is INR 50,000 per month and Year 2 stipend is INR 60,000 per month.
- Accommodation and travel for field postings are fully covered by MSDE, Government of India.
IIM Visakhapatnam MGNF Admission 2027
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| MGNF Application Opens | February 2027 (Tentative) |
| MGNF Application Last Date | March 2027 (Tentative) |
| MGNF Entrance Test | July 2027 (Tentative) |
| Group Discussion and Personal Interview | August 2027 (Tentative) |
| Fellowship Commencement | September 2027 (Tentative) |
- MGNF has its own entrance test covering general awareness, reasoning, and verbal ability.
- IIM Bangalore coordinates the common admission process on behalf of all partner IIMs.
The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
- Indian citizen aged between 21 and 30 years at the time of application
- Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university
- Proficiency in the official language of the assigned state preferred
- Freshers are eligible and prior work experience is not mandatory
Admission Process
- Submit online application through the official MGNF portal when the notification is released
- Appear for the MGNF Entrance Test covering general awareness, quantitative ability, and verbal skills
- Attend Group Discussion with 8 to 12 candidates on social and policy topics
- Appear for a Personal Interview conducted by IIM faculty members
- Receive final selection offer from IIM Visakhapatnam through the MSDE-SANKALP portal
- Complete joining formalities and begin field deployment with an assigned District Collector
✓ Opt for this if
- Aspiring for a career in public policy and district-level development
- Indian citizen aged 21 to 30 wanting an IIM certificate at zero cost
- Motivated by government-funded public service rather than corporate career
- Ready to work in field conditions across rural and semi-urban districts
- Seeking direct exposure to district administration and skill mission work
✗ Skip if
- Targeting a corporate management career path after the programme
- Uncomfortable with remote district field postings away from home city
- Expecting this certificate to be equivalent to IIM PGP or MBA degree
- Need a university-affiliated postgraduate degree for further academic pursuits
IIM Visakhapatnam MGNF Scholarships 2027
| Fellowship Benefit | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 Monthly Stipend | INR 50,000 per month | All selected MGNF fellows |
| Year 2 Monthly Stipend | INR 60,000 per month | All selected MGNF fellows |
| Accommodation Support | Fully covered | All selected MGNF fellows during field posting |
| Travel Allowance | Fully covered | All selected MGNF fellows for field visits |
- All fellowship benefits are funded by MSDE, Government of India through the SANKALP programme.
- No external scholarship is required as the fellowship covers all living and programme costs.
IIM Visakhapatnam MGNF FAQs
Ques. Do MGNF fellows at IIM Visakhapatnam need to pay any fees?
Ans. No, MGNF is a fully government-funded fellowship. Fellows do not pay any tuition, programme, or examination fee. Instead, fellows receive a monthly stipend of INR 50,000 in Year 1 and INR 60,000 in Year 2, totalling INR 13,20,000 over the 2-year period. Accommodation and travel costs for field work are also fully covered by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Ques. What do MGNF fellows at IIM Visakhapatnam do during the 2-year fellowship?
Ans. MGNF fellows spend most of their time in the field, working alongside District Collectors and District Skill Committees to identify skill gaps, design livelihood programmes, and support skill development projects under the SANKALP mission. Academic modules at IIM Visakhapatnam run alongside the field work to build analytical and public policy skills. Fellows are assigned to specific districts by MSDE and the partner state government.
Ques. What are the career prospects after completing MGNF from IIM Visakhapatnam?
Ans. MGNF alumni have pursued careers in public policy, civil services, international development organisations, NGOs, and social enterprises. The fellowship provides strong exposure to district administration and government project management, which is valued in the development sector. Some alumni have joined MSDE, World Bank-affiliated projects, and policy think tanks. The IIM Visakhapatnam certificate adds credibility for roles in governance and social sector leadership.
Ques. Is the MGNF certificate from IIM Visakhapatnam equivalent to an MBA or PGP degree?
Ans. No, MGNF is a Post-Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Management and is not equivalent to an MBA degree or the IIM PGP. It is designed specifically for public policy and social sector work, not corporate management careers. The certificate is awarded by IIM Visakhapatnam upon successful completion of the 2-year fellowship and is recognised within the development and governance sector.
Ques. How competitive is the selection process for MGNF at IIM Visakhapatnam?
Ans. MGNF is highly competitive, with a 3 to 5 percent selection rate across all nine partner IIMs. The selection involves an entrance test on general awareness, quantitative aptitude, and verbal ability, followed by a Group Discussion and Personal Interview conducted by IIM faculty. Candidates with strong motivation for public service and community development are preferred. IIM Bangalore coordinates the common selection process for all partner IIMs including IIM Visakhapatnam.