Chhattisgarh CM IT Fellowship Program

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Chief Minister IT Fellowship Program represents a transformative initiative launched by the Electronics and Information Technology Department, Government of Chhattisgarh. This fellowship program empowers local young professionals with specialised training in Software-Driven Analysis, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence to address critical governance challenges through technology deployment. The Government of Chhattisgarh has designed this program exclusively for domiciled candidates of the state, ensuring that local talent receives world-class education while contributing meaningfully to the state's digital transformation agenda.

The program offers fellows an exceptional opportunity to pursue a full-time M.Tech degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DSAI) from IIIT Naya Raipur. What sets this fellowship apart is its unique blended learning model that combines rigorous academic coursework with hands-on government department engagement. Fellows spend dedicated periods working directly with state departments, district collectorates, and administrative offices, gaining practical exposure to real-world governance projects. This integration of classroom learning and field deployment equips fellows with both theoretical knowledge and practical implementation skills.

The Chhattisgarh government sponsors the complete tuition fee and provides a generous monthly stipend of Rs. 50,000 throughout the two-year program duration. Additionally, fellows receive a laptop or desktop computer equipped with the necessary software, completely free of cost. This comprehensive financial support ensures that talented youth from Chhattisgarh can focus entirely on skill development without financial constraints. The program structure dedicates the first year to balanced academic and government engagement (3 months classroom + 3 months government work per semester), while the second year emphasises intensive field experience (2 months classroom + 9 months government engagement), preparing fellows for impactful careers in technology-driven public administration.

Scheme Benefits

• Monthly stipend of Rs. 50,000 for both 1st and 2nd year
• Complete tuition fee sponsorship by the Chhattisgarh Government
• Free laptop/desktop with all necessary software
• Full-time M.Tech degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from IIIT Naya Raipur
• Hands-on experience with government departments and real governance projects
• Mentorship from academicians, IT leaders, and policymakers
• Blended learning approach combining classroom study and government engagement
• Professional networking opportunities with state administrative officials
• Career advancement in emerging technologies and the public sector

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Must hold a domicile certificate of Chhattisgarh state
• Applicant age must be less than 30 years as of the application deadline.
• Must be GATE qualified (in CS/DSAI)
• Minimum CPI of 6.5 or 60% marks or First Class in a qualifying degree (Graduate or Postgraduate)
• 5% marks or 0.5 CPI relaxation for SC/ST/PwD candidates
• Reservation applicable as per the Chhattisgarh State Reservation Policy

Required Documents

• 10th and 12th Marksheet
• GATE scorecard (in CS/DSAI)
• Domicile Certificate of Chhattisgarh
• Academic transcripts and mark sheets of the qualifying degree
• Degree certificate of graduation/post-graduation
• Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL)
• OBC-NCL certificate must be issued after 1st April 2025
• Age proof document (Birth certificate/Class 10th mark sheet)
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Valid identity proof (Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Voter ID)
• PwD certificate (if applicable)

Application Timeline

• Application Period: July 2026
• Eligible Candidates List: August 2026
• Skill Test: August 2026
• First Allotment: August 2026
• Document Verification: August 2026
• Second Allotment: August 2026

Steps to Apply

• Visit the IIIT Naya Raipur official website: www.iiitnr.ac.in
• Navigate to the CM IT Fellowship section and check the admission notification.
• Register on the IIIT NR Admission Portal.
• Fill out the online application form with personal, academic, and GATE details.
• Upload required documents: GATE scorecard, domicile certificate, academic transcripts, degree certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), photograph, and signature.
• Pay the application fee of Rs. 500 online
• Submit the application and download the acknowledgement.
• Appear for the skill test on the scheduled date (offline mode)
• Check the merit list based on GATE (70%) + Skill Test (30%) weightage.
• Report to IIIT Naya Raipur for document verification with original documents.
• Complete admission formalities and join the program.

Important Note: Applications are accepted online only. Offline applications or applications via email will not be considered. Candidates should regularly check the official website for the latest updates and notifications for the next batch.

Program Structure and Engagement Schedule

The CM IT Fellowship Program follows a carefully designed 2-year structure (4 semesters of 6 months each) that balances academic learning with practical government engagement. Fellows undergo progressive government exposure: Semester 1 and 2 include 3 months academic + 3 months government engagement each, while Semester 3 has 6 months government engagement, and the final Semester 4 has 1 month academic + 5 months government deployment.

Fellows are deployed at CHiPS (Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society) or assigned to government departments where they work on live projects involving software-driven analysis, data visualisation, policy impact assessment, e-governance solutions, and digital transformation initiatives. They collaborate directly with state departments and district collectorates, gaining practical experience in implementing technology solutions in government systems and translating technical capabilities into governance outcomes.

Probable Placement Departments

• Chief Minister's Office
• Chief Secretary's Office
• Revenue and Disaster Management
• Finance Department
• Department of Planning and Statistics
• Department of Home
• Department of Transport
• Department of Energy
• Department of Forest
• Department of Skill Development, Technical Education, and Employment
• Department of School Education
• Department of Urban Development
• Department of Commerce and Industries
• Department of Social Welfare
• Department of Health

Department assignment depends on the fellow's expertise, departmental requirements, and strategic priorities of the state government.

Important Points to Note

• The fellowship is exclusively for Chhattisgarh-domiciled candidates only
• Fellows are under the administrative control of CHiPS (Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society) throughout the program
• Fellows are placed strategically across various government departments as assigned by CHiPS
• Lodging and boarding facilities are available at IIIT Naya Raipur hostels on a payment basis during academic engagement periods
• The Government of Chhattisgarh sponsors only the tuition fee; other expenses, including hostel accommodation, mess charges, examination fees, medical insurance, and SAC charges, must be borne by fellows
• Fellows deployed outside campus for government engagement need to arrange their own accommodation
• If any candidate withdraws from the program before completion, they will have to repay the fellowship amount received from the Government
• There is no provision of guaranteed government jobs after program completion; however, the Government of Chhattisgarh may consider fellows as per the prevalent norms and rules
• The CM IT M.Tech program is academically equivalent to a regular M.Tech in CSE
• Reserved category seats cannot be offered to unreserved candidates; vacant reserved seats are left unfilled if suitable candidates are unavailable

Selection Process

The selection process for the CM IT Fellowship Program is merit-based and transparent. All eligible candidates who meet the basic eligibility criteria are called for a skill test conducted by IIIT Naya Raipur. The skill test is designed to assess candidates' coding proficiency, problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and foundational knowledge of data science and artificial intelligence concepts.

After the skill test, a comprehensive merit list is prepared using a weighted evaluation system where GATE percentile carries 70% weightage and skill test marks carry 30% weightage. This balanced approach ensures that candidates with strong fundamentals (reflected in GATE scores) as well as practical implementation skills (demonstrated in skill test) are selected for the fellowship. The meritorious candidates from the prepared list are offered admission in the first round following the Chhattisgarh State Reservation Policy. If any seats remain vacant after the first allotment, a second round of allotment is conducted to fill the remaining positions.

Relevant Links

• Chhattisgarh CM IT Fellowship Program Online Application
• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister IT Fellowship Program Details
• Chhattisgarh CM IT Fellowship Program Notification
• CM IT Fellowship IITNR Details

Contact Information

• CM IT Fellowship Program Contact Number:
  • 0771-2474048
  • 07712474040
• CM IT Fellowship Program Email Helpdesk:
  • admissions@iiitnr.ac.in
  • cmit-mtech@iiitnr.ac.in
• Plot No. 7, near Purkhoti Muktangan, 
  Sector 24, Atal Nagar-Nava Raipur,
  Uparwara, Chhattisgarh - 493661