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. From time to time, short-term internship opportunities with PRS are available. Such opportunities are announced on the Careers page of the PRS website.

Candidates are required to 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.

Some LAMP Fellows have pursued advanced degrees in prestigious institutions like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Oxford, London School of Economics, SciencesPo, IIMs, ISB, XLRI, JNU etc. Some have continued to work with Members of Parliament, political parties or other political consulting organizations. A few have 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 pre-requisite for the Fellowship. PRS conducts intensive training during the initial month, where LAMP Fellows will be familiarised with basics of the Indian Constitution, basics of Economics, parliamentary procedures, information sources and research tools. Attendance is mandatory for the entire training period. LAMP Fellows will also have an opportunity to learn more about public policy in India through various policy 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 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 greatly, depending on the work and requirements of their respective MPs.

Along with their application, 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. 

Applications for the LAMP Fellowship 2024-25 are now closed. 

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 25 years of age or below (date of birth on or after June 1, 1998).  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, due to the nature of work a LAMP Fellow undertakes, 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 during the selection process. 

Between Parliament sessions, Fellows will continue to support their MPs on any research work that is requested of them. This may include, among other things, 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 public policy related subjects such as Health, Education, Agriculture, Climate Change, Technology policy, Budgets & Public Finances.

The primary 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 various legislative and policy debates and drafting private members' Bills.

The MPs who will be part of this Fellowship are those who are actively engaged in Parliament. 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 work space will depend on the arrangement that the MP and LAMP Fellow arrive at. MPs do not have formal office spaces in Delhi. Most interaction, including professional or business meetings, happen in designated spaces within their residences. It will depend on a case by case basis whether the MP will want the LAMP Fellow to work out of the office space at his/her residence, or make other arrangements for office space. It is important that the MP 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, suggesting any issues that the MP might want to raise, 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.