National Fellowship & Scholarship For Higher Education Of Scheduled Tribe (ST) Students 2026

The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) offers an annual internship program for students from Bhutan, India, Read More... Nepal, and Bangladesh to gain hands-on experience in land port operations and cross-border trade. Read less

Details

Are you a student keen on understanding how our borders work and how trade flows across them? The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) has a fantastic opportunity for you! They've opened their doors for the 2025-26 academic year through their annual internship program.

What Is This Scheme?

This internship program by LPAI is designed to give students and research scholars a real-world feel for managing land ports. You'll get to see firsthand how passenger movement, cross-border trade, and border management are handled. It’s a unique chance to learn about the infrastructure and policies that keep our international land borders functional and secure.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The program is especially welcoming to students from the BBIN countries: Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. LPAI is particularly interested in students who want to focus on the challenges and opportunities related to land port development in India’s Northeast region.

Why This Scheme Is Important

LPAI, a statutory body under the Ministry of Home Affairs, is responsible for developing and managing facilities at our international land borders. This internship program helps foster regional cooperation and exchange of ideas. It allows young minds to contribute fresh perspectives to important national and regional projects, offering valuable insights into government operations.

Objective

The Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) offers an annual internship program for students from Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh to gain hands-on experience in land port operations and cross-border trade.

Benefits

A.Value of Fellowship:

The applicant selected for the scholarship will be entitled to the stipend as stipulated in the following table subject to fulfillment of conditions laid down in the scheme.

1. Course:M.Phil

Stream: Humanities & Social Sciences

Scholarship Monthly: Rs.31000/-

Contingency Annually: Rs.10,000/-

2. Course:M.Phil

Stream: Science/Engineering Technology

Scholarship Monthly: Rs.31000/-

Contingency Annually: Rs.12,000/-

3. Course:Ph.D.

Stream: Humanities & Social Sciences

Scholarship Monthly: Rs.31000/- for the first two years and Rs.35000/- for the remaining 3 years

Contingency Annually: Rs.20,500/-

4. Course:Ph.D.

Stream: Science/Engineering Technology

Scholarship Monthly: Rs.31000/- for the first two years and Rs.35000/- for the remaining 3 years

Contingency Annually: Rs.25,000/-

5. HRA for all the courses (monthly):Equal to UGC rates [8% or 16% or 24% based on city]

6. Escort Allowance for Divyanjan (monthly):Rs.2000/- (at par with UGC rates)

The above rates are equal to UGC rates, which may be revised as and when revised by UGC.

HRA

In case a student is provided hostel accommodation by the university, he/she would not be eligible to claim HRA, but will be eligible to draw only hostel fees charged by the University.
The scholar will not be entitled to claim mess, electricity, water charges, etc. A certificate to this effect is to be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal.
If the student makes his/her own arrangements of accommodation, he/she may be entitled to draw HRA as per the categorization of cities by Govt. of India.

Note:-

The research scholars considered eligible for the fellowship under the scheme shall not be eligible for any other fellowship/scholarship of the Union or State Government for the same study.
Release of fellowship will be subject to fulfillment of various requirements stated in subsequent paras.

B.Value of Scholarship:

The selected student will be eligible for financial assistance as stipulated in the following table, subject to fulfillment of conditions laid down in the scheme:

1. Component:Tuition Fees and Admission fee

Details: Full Admission fee, tuition fee, and other non-refundable charges in respect of Government Institutes

Remarks: There will be a ceiling of Rs.2.50 lakhs per annum per student for private sector Institutes.

2. Component:Books & Stationery

Details: @ Rs.5000/- per annum

Remarks: per annum per student without bills/vouchers.

3. Component:Stipend

Details: @ Rs.3000/-per month
Remarks: NA

4. Component:Computer & Accessories

Details: Rs.45000/- (One-time assistance during the course tenure)
Remarks: Computer & accessories may be Desktop/Laptop etc. (Without bills/vouchers)

C.Number of Fellowship:

The total number of fresh fellowships for M.Phil/M.Phil. + PhD/Ph.D every year will be 750. In case of the non-availability of an adequate number of Scheduled Tribe applicants, the number of fellowships not availed during that year will be carried forward to the next academic year. There is no State/University wise ceiling on the number of slots.

In case the number of applicants exceeds the number of available slots for awards, selection will be made on the basis of marks obtained in the post-graduation exam.
Slots will be provided to sub-categories subject to the following priority:

Priority Category Slots:-

a) Divyangjan [5% of 750] = 38

b) PVTG (List at Annexure-VIII) = 25

c) Female [30% of 750] = 225

d) ST Others = 462

Total = 750

Note:-

Eligible students who have got an offer of admission in IITs/AIIMS/IIMs/IISER will be given priority and slots meant for the ST-Others category(Sr. No.4 above) will be reduced proportionately.
The students applying as Divyangjan should produce the Disability Certificate, certifying a minimum of 40% disability, issued by the competent authority designated by the respective State/UT.
In case an adequate number of applications is not received for the above subcategories, then the unfilled slots will be allotted to eligible ST research applicants not covered under any of the three categories mentioned above, on the basis of inter-se merit based on post-graduation examination.

D.Procedure for determining slot distribution for sub-category:

Category 1 : Divyangjan :

38 slots will be reserved for Divyangjan Research scholars, and their selection will be on the basis of merit.
In case of more than 38 applications are received in this category, the top 38 applicants, in the order of merit, will be selected, and the remaining applications will be treated under the normal ST category.
However, if the number of applications received is less than 38, the remaining vacant slots will be filled by the next priority category i.e PVTG.

Category 2 : PVTG:

25 slots will be reserved for PVTG applicants, and their selection will be on the basis of merit.
In case, more than 25 applications are received in this category, the top 25 applicants, in the order of merit, will be selected against the allotted slots, and the remaining applications will be treated under the normal ST category.
However, if the number of applications received is less than 25, the remaining vacant slots will be filled by the next priority category i.e Female.

Category 3 : Female:

Out of a total of 750, 225 slots will be reserved for female applicants [including Divyangjan and PVTG].
In case more than 225 applications [including Divyangjan and PVTG] from female candidates are received in this category, the top 225 applicants, in the order of merit, will be selected against the available slots.

The remaining applications will be treated under ST open category.

E.Other Important points:-

In case the number of applications of female candidates is less than 225, the remaining vacant slots will be adjusted with ST's other categories.
The guidelines provide that the student is eligible for a scholarship for regular and full-time M. Phil/Ph.D in the University/Academic Institute.
However, for pursuing Ph.D. courses in AIIMS/IIMs/IITs/IISERs, where the pre-requisite may be that the students should have financial security in hand before he/she can take admission, preference will be given to those students who have secured offers of admission from AIIMS/IITs/IIMs/IISERs.

Therefore, the student should mention, in the application form, that he/she has got an offer of admission and should also upload the offer letter issued.

F.Number of Scholarships:

All eligible students who have taken admitted on merit to the identified premier institutes, and are verified by the Institute and Ministry as per the norms of the scheme are eligible to receive scholarships.
There is no Institute- wise/ State wise/stream-wise ceiling for a number of slots.
However, students admitted to Management quota in a private Institute will not be entitled to scholarships.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the LPAI Internship, you need to meet certain educational qualifications. Indian students from recognized universities, both in India and abroad, should have secured at least 60% marks in their last academic examination. You should also be pursuing or have completed one of the following:

Education under the 10+2+3 pattern (15 years of formal education).
A Polytechnic Diploma/Degree.
The 4th year of an Engineering degree under the 10+2+4 pattern.
An MBA/PGDBM from a premier institute.
The 4th or 5th year of an integrated or dual degree course under the 10+2+5 pattern.
Completed the 2nd year of an Engineering or Science course from any IIT or NIT.
Pursuing an M.Tech/M.Eng./MCA from a prestigious institute.
Completed the 2nd year of a law degree from a reputed Law Institute/University.

Note 1: LPAI may relax these qualifications for deserving candidates if recommended by the Member (Finance), LPAI, and approved by the Chairman, LPAI.

Note 2: Meeting these qualifications doesn't automatically guarantee a spot. Preference will be given to candidates with relevant experience, strong academic records, and higher capabilities. Students from the Northeast region and children of LPAI stakeholders will also be given preference.

How To Apply

If you're interested in an internship, you'll need to follow these steps:

Get Sponsorship: Your application must be sponsored by your educational institution.
Prepare Your Application: Fill out the prescribed application form and prepare your Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Identify Your Interest: Clearly mention your areas of work interest.
Gather References: Include details of two referees.
Email Your Application: Send your completed application, CV, and interest areas to the official email address: [email protected].
For Specific ICPs: If you wish to intern at a particular Integrated Check Post (ICP), you can send your application/CV by post or submit it directly to the Admin Division of LPAI at their Headquarters.
Selection: The selection committee may conduct personal or telephonic interviews. No travel allowance (TA/DA) will be provided for these interviews.

Documents Required

You will need to provide the following documents when applying:

Aadhaar Card
Passport size photograph
Passing Certificate / Degree / Marksheet of Graduation / Post Graduation
A letter from your Supervisor / Head of the Department / Principal confirming your status at the institution.
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your institution.
Proof of Identity
Proof of Address
Identity Card / Proof of Enrollment into your Institute

FAQ’s

How can I apply for an internship if I want to work at a specific Integrated Check Post (ICP)?

If you have a particular Integrated Check Post (ICP) in mind for your internship, you can send your application and CV by post or submit them directly to the Admin Division of the LPAI at their main office.

Will I get any payment or allowance during the internship, even if my qualifications were relaxed?

No, interns who are accepted after a relaxation of the standard educational qualifications will not receive any remuneration or payment.

What does 'ICP' stand for?

ICP stands for 'Integrated Check Post'.

What details should I include in my email when applying to the Director (Operations), LPAI?

When emailing the Director (Operations), LPAI, you should include your application, CV, your preferred areas of work, and contact details for two references.

Does having the minimum required qualifications guarantee that I will be selected for an internship at LPAI?

No, meeting the minimum qualifications does not automatically ensure you'll get an internship. LPAI considers other factors like relevant exposure and overall capability.

Will the LPAI consider applications that are not sponsored by my institution?

No, applications for the LPAI internship must be sponsored by the candidate's educational institution.

Can the LPAI or its ICPs reach out to colleges to find interns for specific needs?

Yes, the Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) and the LPAI Headquarters can indeed inquire with academic institutions to identify suitable interns for particular roles or areas.

What is the official email address for sending internship applications to the Director (Operations) at LPAI?

The official email address for submitting your internship application to the Director (Operations), LPAI is [email protected].

Will I be reimbursed for travel or daily expenses if I'm called for an interview?

No, candidates will not be reimbursed for any travel or daily expenses incurred for attending a personal interview.

Is there any special preference or reservation for certain candidates during the selection process?

Preference is given to candidates who have prior experience in the intended internship area, possess a strong academic record, and have higher qualifications, based on the organization's needs. Students from the Northeast region and wards of stakeholders working with LPAI also receive preference.

Could the selection process involve an interview over the phone or in person?

Yes, the selection committee reserves the right to conduct a personal or telephonic interview if they deem it necessary.