College internships at India's hottest startups and biggest VCs.

Students in grades 11 and 12 at any school in India, and those in their first year of college. You do not need a startup, a prototype, revenue or any prior experience to register.

No. We are looking for entrepreneurial acumen, not proven entrepreneurs. High school is a very early stage where one is still building skills and learning the basics. We are strictly focused on acumen and intrinsics, not commercial proof or experience.

We also strongly discourage performative entrepreneurship. That means science projects or half-baked prototypes commercialised for the sake of social media or resume-buffing are detrimental.

No. We encourage you to pursue a fulfilling college life in a course of your choice. This is a period when one adults. Study hard, participate in college activities, build hobbies, make lifelong friendships, experience independence and hostel life if possible, find mentors. Expand your horizons in the classroom and outside.

We strongly discourage dropping out. You should complete your college education and PSIs, unless you have an exceptionally compelling and immediate opportunity to start up.

No. We set the schedule for Anandi-NEAT 2026 and the Grit Bootcamp so that it does not clash with your board exams or other competitive exams.

Read.

That is the whole answer. The Fellowship deliberately does not require coaching or a prep course. We are strictly focused on acumen and intrinsics, not commercial proof or experience.

No. The PSI is a very good internship opportunity. However, if you have secured another internship you are excited about, we encourage you to pursue it.

We do expect you to pursue a gainful apprenticeship in your vacation. We will fully encourage other options too. For example, an academic project at a US university, or a meaningful opportunity in the development space.

You complete your college and all PSIs, or the equivalent. You then go through an interview process to graduate from Fellow to E-I-R.

This is not a selective interview. Unless you have performed poorly, you can expect to graduate.

Yes, absolutely. A Partner Mentor organisation may offer you an equivalent E-I-R opportunity. If you are keen on accepting, we will encourage it.

Apprenticeship, exposure, and growth are important. Not working at Bombay Shaving Company.

The top 50 rankers from Anandi-NEAT 2026 will be invited to Gurgaon for the Grit Bootcamp. This has been designed to test for all elements of grit: resilience, perseverance, mobilising people, positivity, ambiguity management and strength of character. The 3 days will be an intense circuit of panel interviews, group discussions, case studies, business simulations and physical endurance. Our Partner Mentors will be part of the evaluating team.

Each invitee will be accompanied by one parent or guardian. This will be all-expenses-paid.

The 40 Grit Bootcamp participants who are not selected for the Fellowship will get a Certificate of Excellence from The Anandi Fellowship and a one-time cash prize of INR 20,000.

In addition, our Partner Mentors and we will keep a close eye on them through their college life and track their progress. Opportunities for apprenticeship and funding can be created outside the Fellowship too, once the network is created.