Gujarat : IIT Gandhinagar Sends Students on India Discovery Journey

Gandhinagar | Gujarat —With an aim to support the holistic development of students through its uniquely structured Explorer Fellowship, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN)’s Explorer Fellowship 2026 enables students to explore India through real-world experiences.

Launched in 2015, IITGN’s Explorer Fellowship is a unique program that encourages students to step outside familiar environments, interact with people from different backgrounds, and develop resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence. To support its students, IITGN provides financial support under a structured low-budget travel framework, enabling students to travel across the country while learning to manage resources responsibly.

The 2026 edition of this unique six-week program has received applications from 63 student teams. Following a facilitative selection process, 56 teams have been selected for this edition.

Speaking about this unique initiative, Prof. Manish Kumar, Dean, Student Affairs, IITGN, said, “This first-of-its-kind initiative among the IITs encourages students to connect with people, communities, and realities beyond campus. By travelling across India and navigating unfamiliar situations, students develop confidence, empathy, independence, and better decision-making skills. The programme is a part of the continued commitment of IITGN towards the holistic education of students.”

Open to IITGN students above 18 years of age, participants of this fellowship are required to travel to six states in India, including at least one state from the North-East, one from the South, and one from the North. They must travel using sleeper-class train coaches or state-run buses and stay in affordable accommodations such as youth hostels and homestays.

The experience encourages students to engage with real-world scenarios across India while developing teamwork, adaptability, and meaningful peer connections. During their journeys, students explore local cultures, handicrafts and handloom traditions, regional cuisines, heritage sites, community enterprises, and diverse socio-economic landscapes, making the fellowship a unique learning experience beyond the classroom.

Prof. Chetan D. Pahlajani, Convener of the Explorer Fellowship Programme, IITGN, said, “One of the things we really enjoy in the fellowship programme is seeing students’ creativity each year in coming up with innovative themes around which they organize their travel. Themes have ranged from architecture, dams, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites to regional variations in cuisines and sartorial choices.”

A fellow of the 2025 batch, Mr. Rajani Meena, a student from BTech ’24, Electrical Engineering, IITGN, shared, “I wanted to explore different parts of India and push myself out of my comfort zone. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting the Shillong mountains and seeing clouds below us when we looked down; it was truly unforgettable. Travelling on a limited budget taught me how to manage money, adjust to different situations, and understand that travel is more about experiences than comfort. The fellowship also helped me become more confident and independent. Now, I can proudly say that I know my country.”

Another fellow from the 2024 batch of the Explorer Fellowship, Mr. Antariksh Milind Dongre, a student from BTech ’23, Chemical Engineering, IITGN, said, “I applied for the Explorer Fellowship because I wanted to experience India beyond textbooks and social media. One of the most memorable parts of the journey was travelling through rural South India, where language barriers often made communication difficult. Yet, through broken conversations, gestures, and a few shared words, people were incredibly welcoming and eager to help. Travelling on a limited budget taught me to value experiences over comfort and appreciate the kindness of strangers. The fellowship helped me better understand India’s cultural and geographical diversity while strengthening my communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and teamwork skills through real-life experiences.”

The Explorer Fellowship is an example of IITGN’s dedication to developing well-rounded students who are socially conscious and culturally knowledgeable, as well as confident in any new environment they enter. There has been an increase in applications this year, which speaks volumes about students’ willingness to learn from experience and exploration.

IIT Gandhinagar continues to engage prospective students and their families through initiatives such as its upcoming JEE Open House on June 05, 2026 (see https://iitgn.ac.in/openhouse), offering an opportunity to learn more about the institute’s academic programmes, student life, and unique opportunities such as the Explorer Fellowship. To know more about the Explorer Fellowship Programme, please visit the link below: https://sites.iitgn.ac.in/explorer.