Young Thinkers Meet 2026: India Foundation has extended the application deadline for the Young Thinkers’ Meet 2026, allowing candidates to apply until May 10, 2026 instead of April 30, 2026. The 15th edition of the programme is scheduled to be held on 18-19 July 2026 in Uttarakhand.Pioneered in 2012, the Young Thinkers’ Meet is a flagship initiative of India Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank, bringing together young participants under 35 from diverse academic and professional backgrounds to engage in policy-oriented dialogue on national and global issues.Deadline extended for Young Thinkers’ Meet 2026 applicationsThe extension shifts the last date of application from April 30, 2026 to May 10, 2026, providing additional time for applicants to complete submissions for the 15th edition of YTM.Applicants must be under 35 years of age and may come from academia, journalism, science, development work, corporate sectors, social and political activism, or international universities.Candidates who have participated in three previous editions are not eligible. Applicants should demonstrate interest in India’s history, polity, foreign affairs, governance and development issues. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for virtual interviews in May 2026, with final selection communicated by the end of May 2026.Since its launch in 2012, the Young Thinkers’ Meet has functioned as a flagship initiative of India Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank. The programme is held annually and brings together selected participants for structured discussions on contemporary national and global issues. The 2026 edition will be organised in Uttarakhand on 18-19 July 2026. Sessions include policy-focused debates, brainstorming exercises and thematic exchanges across disciplines. The initiative has developed an alumni network of more than 300 participants who continue to engage in public discourse and related activities.As part of the programme requirements, participants are expected to submit a write-up based on the discussions or themes explored during the meet, which may be considered for inclusion in a post-event publication. Participation is open to scholars, professionals and students from multiple disciplines. Selected individuals join sessions covering governance, society and international relations. The meet facilitates structured interaction among participants through panel discussions, group deliberations and thematic exchanges aimed at broadening understanding of policy and public affairs within a national and global context. Selection is based on application screening followed by virtual interview assessment in May 2026 phase.
