The LAMP Fellowship is not an internship. In their work with MPs, LAMP Fellows work as full-time professionals with MPs for the entire duration of the Fellowship.

Short-term internship opportunities are available with PRS from time to time. Such opportunities are announced on the Careers page of the PRS website.

Candidates must have at least a Bachelor's degree to be eligible for the LAMP Fellowship. This means that candidates must have finished their Bachelor's degree examinations before the Fellowship begins. No leave of absence will be granted to complete any examinations once the Fellowship has begun.

Post Fellowship, LAMP Fellows have pursued various career opportunities. Some have continued to work with Members of Parliament, ministers, political parties, or other political consulting organizations. Others have pursued advanced degrees in prestigious institutions like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Oxford, London School of Economics, SciencesPo, IIMs, ISB, XLRI, JNU, etc. 

Fellows have also joined multilateral institutions like the World Bank, Foreign Embassies, or leading public policy organizations such as NIPFP, CEEW, CSF, or chosen a career in the corporate sector including consulting, investment banking, and e-commerce. A few have joined the civil service as Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers

Deep knowledge of the legal system is not a prerequisite for the Fellowship. PRS conducts intensive training during the initial month, where LAMP Fellows are familiarised with the basics of the Indian Constitution, basics of Economics, parliamentary procedures, information sources, and research tools required in their work. Attendance is mandatory for the entire training period. LAMP Fellows will also have an opportunity to understand policy issues through workshops organized by PRS during the course of the Fellowship.

LAMP Fellows are expected to commit to a full-time engagement with the Fellowship. The Fellows cannot pursue any additional academic or professional assignments during their engagement as a LAMP Fellow.

The Fellowship starts from the middle of June with a rigorous 1-month long training. The Fellows will be assigned to their respective Member of Parliament during the Monsoon session of Parliament and will continue to work with the MP till the end of the Budget session of the following year.

The role of a LAMP Fellow requires full-time commitment. The periods when Parliament is in session will be the busiest time of the year for anyone working with Parliamentarians. MPs are usually in Parliament between 10 AM and 6 PM. MPs typically meet with their Fellows and assign work either before they go to Parliament or after they return. During the session LAMP Fellows may have to brief their MPs on short notice on any matter. Hence, the workload will be high while Parliament is in session and the LAMP Fellow must be open to flexible working hours. The work of each LAMP Fellow will therefore differ, depending on the work and requirements of their respective MPs.

The first stage of the selection process is the application form which will open on December 1, 2024. Along with their details in the application form, the applicants are required to submit two essays. One is a statement of purpose justifying their candidature for the Fellowship. The second is an essay analysing any issue and the related policy implications. 

Candidates shortlisted based on their application will be required to take a mandatory online evaluation test on 5 January 2025 (Sunday). Candidates who clear the online test will be called for interviews.

Applications for LAMP Fellowship 2025-26 are now open. Applications can be submitted here: https://bit.ly/3Ov07lT. The last date for submitting applications is December 21, 2024.

Candidates from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Candidates must have at least a Bachelor’s degree in any academic discipline and should be up to 25 years of age (date of birth on or after June 1, 1999).  Previous LAMP Fellows come from diverse academic backgrounds with Bachelor's or Master’s degrees in Engineering, Law, Economics, Pure Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Political Science, Commerce, architecture etc.

The Fellowship is open to Indian citizens only. "Indian citizen" implies someone holding an Indian passport or eligible to hold one. Individuals holding PIO/OCI cards are not eligible for the LAMP Fellowship.

Work experience is not an essential criteria to become a LAMP Fellow. However, previous work experience and exposure to a professional work environment might equip LAMP Fellows better to work more effectively with an MP.

The only essential criteria is that candidates must have a Bachelor's degree in any academic discipline. Candidates with Master's degrees are welcome to apply, but will not have an advantage over other candidates.

Between Parliament sessions, Fellows will continue to support their MPs on any research work that is requested of them. This may include, research for standing committee meetings and preparation for the next Parliament session. In addition, PRS will conduct workshops on policy issues where Fellows can interact with experts and policy makers. This year, workshops were conducted on a wide range of subjects such as Health, Education, Climate Change, Technology policy, Budgets & Public Finances.

The role of a LAMP Fellow is to work closely with their MP, providing individualised research support for the entire duration of the Fellowship. This entails providing research inputs to help them fulfill their parliamentary duties such as asking questions, assessing the performance of ministries, raising matters of public importance, participating in legislative and policy debates in Parliament, and drafting private members' Bills.

MPs will be from both the Treasury and the Opposition, across major parties, and from both Houses of Parliament. The assigning of LAMP Fellows to the MPs will be done on a random basis; no consideration will be given to the LAMP Fellow's political leanings, educational background, or ideology.

Yes. LAMP Fellows will receive a stipend of Rs. 23,000 per month during the course of the Fellowship.

Since each LAMP Fellow will be working directly with the assigned MP, the designated workspace will depend on the arrangement that the MP and LAMP Fellow arrive at. MPs do not have formal office spaces in Delhi. Most interactions, including professional or business meetings, happen in designated spaces within their residences. The MP may want the LAMP Fellow to work out of the office space at his/her residence or may make other arrangements for office space. The MP should be able to contact the LAMP Fellow for any research work at all reasonable hours even if they do not share office space.

LAMP Fellows will not be provided with any office equipment under the Fellowship. LAMP Fellows will be expected to use their own computers or internet connections.

The role requires the LAMP Fellow to be based in Delhi. The work of the LAMP Fellow will focus on assisting the MP in undertaking his/her duties in Parliament. Thus, the role may require minimal or no travel outside of Delhi. In addition, PRS may arrange, as part of its training efforts, field visits to other places, which may be outside Delhi and will be compulsory for all LAMP Fellows. If the LAMP Fellow and the MP mutually agree, the MP may arrange a visit to his/her constituency.

LAMP Fellows are allowed 2 days leave every month through the duration of the Fellowship. However, any such need to take leave must be first brought to PRS for approval and then approved by the assigned MP. LAMP Fellows are discouraged from taking leave during Parliamentary sessions. PRS will also inform LAMP Fellows of any other scheduled leave periods during the programme. Absence without approved leave will be considered serious violation of the terms of Fellowship.

Aside from the weekly review, a designated member of the PRS team can be contacted for any issues or questions the LAMP Fellow would like to discuss.

Reporting to the MP: On a day-to-day basis, the LAMP Fellows need to report to their assigned MPs. This entails checking with them for any tasks that have been assigned, presenting the completed work, briefing the MP, keeping a track of the work going on in the Parliament, etc.

Reporting to PRS: PRS will conduct weekly review meetings with all LAMP Fellows. This meeting will involve taking stock of the progress of the LAMP Fellows, resolving any issues and clarifying doubts. Each LAMP Fellow needs to strictly maintain a log of tasks undertaken.

The responsibility of arranging accommodation in Delhi rests with the LAMP Fellow.

Fellows are required to be in New Delhi for the duration of the Fellowship.

In addition to the above, from time to time, PRS may specify other rules and regulations applicable to LAMP Fellows which, in its view, is necessary for the smooth functioning of the Fellowship program.