Young Scholars & Innovators Invited to India: 89th Know India Programme Opens
The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has announced the 89th edition of the Know India Programme, KIP 2026, specially designed for the Scholars and Innovators cohort.
The programme will be held in India from 15 September to 29 September 2026 and offers young members of the Indian diaspora an opportunity to experience contemporary India, understand its development journey, and strengthen their connection with their ancestral homeland.
For this special 89th edition, applications have been invited from eligible NRIs and PIOs aged 18 to 23 years, according to the programme announcement.
What is the Know India Programme?
The Know India Programme, KIP, is an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs created to develop stronger connections between young members of the Indian diaspora and India.
At its core, the programme seeks to give diaspora youth a deeper understanding of modern India, including its society, economy, governance, culture, education, innovation, traditional knowledge, scientific development, and business environment.
KIP has traditionally been organised as an approximately three week “knowledge tourism” programme, allowing participants to experience India not simply as visitors, but through structured interactions with institutions, universities, industries, cultural organisations, government bodies, and communities.
The 89th edition brings a particular focus on Scholars and Innovators, making it especially relevant for young people interested in education, research, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, and India’s growing knowledge economy.
What Can Participants Experience?
The Know India Programme offers participants exposure to a wide range of subjects and institutions that help them understand both India’s heritage and its contemporary development.
The programme may broadly include:
Presentations introducing India’s political system, economy, history, society, and cultural diversity
Visits to institutions connected with democracy and governance
Opportunities to interact with senior dignitaries and representatives
Visits to places of historical and cultural importance
Cultural programmes featuring Indian classical music and dance
Exposure to traditional Indian knowledge systems including Yoga and Ayurveda
Interaction with India’s media and broadcasting sector
Visits to leading scientific and research institutions
Academic immersion and interaction with faculty members and students at reputed universities, colleges, or institutes
Visits to industrial sites and public and private organisations to understand India’s manufacturing and service sectors
Introduction to national initiatives such as Skill India, Digital India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and StartUp India
Visits to one or more Indian states to experience regional culture, development, institutions, and everyday life
For young scholars and innovators, these interactions can provide a broader understanding of how India is combining education, science, technology, entrepreneurship, traditional knowledge, and economic development.
Connecting Diaspora Youth with Contemporary India
One of the key objectives of KIP is to help young people of Indian origin understand India beyond family connections, festivals, food, or occasional personal visits.
Participants get an opportunity to see how contemporary India functions across areas such as governance, higher education, scientific research, industry, digital development, culture, entrepreneurship, and public institutions.
For young people who have grown up abroad, this experience can help create a more informed relationship with their ancestral homeland while also encouraging dialogue and connections with other members of the global Indian diaspora.
Support for Participants
Under the broader Know India Programme framework, a limited number of diaspora youth are selected for each edition.
Traditionally, selected participants are provided hospitality during their stay in India, and the Ministry of External Affairs bears 90 percent of the international airfare cost under the programme guidelines.
Applicants for the 89th edition should check the official communication from their Indian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate for the exact financial support and participation conditions applicable to this particular cohort.
Who Can Apply for the 89th Edition?
For the 89th Know India Programme, Scholars and Innovators cohort, the current announcement specifies an age group of:
18 to 23 years
The programme communication refers to eligible young members of the NRI and PIO community.
As eligibility conditions may differ between individual KIP editions and the broader programme framework, applicants should follow the specific guidelines issued for the 89th edition rather than relying only on general KIP eligibility information.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: 27 August 2026
Programme Dates: 15 September to 29 September 2026
Special Cohort: Scholars and Innovators
Organised by: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact their nearest Indian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate for complete information about the application process, eligibility requirements, required documents, selection procedure, travel arrangements, and programme conditions.
Those who have received the official programme communication by email are advised to carefully review the details and complete the application process before the deadline.
An Opportunity to Discover a Changing India
The Know India Programme offers young diaspora members an opportunity to connect heritage with contemporary reality.
For the Scholars and Innovators cohort, the experience can be particularly meaningful. Participants can explore how India is progressing in research, higher education, technology, manufacturing, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, traditional knowledge, and cultural development while also building relationships with people and institutions across the country.
For eligible diaspora youth interested in discovering India through learning, interaction, and direct experience, the 89th Know India Programme 2026 can offer a valuable window into the country and its evolving global story.
Applications close on 27 August 2026.
