The Daksha Fellowship at Sai University in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is India's first-of-its-kind postgraduate fellowship, which seeks to bridge the hiatus between law, technology, and policy. Intended for early-career legal professionals, law graduates, and technology or regulatory professionals, this one-year, full-time residential program provides a multidisciplinary curriculum designed to address the needs of contemporary legal and regulatory environments. It gives three specialized tracks — Law and Technology, Law and Regulation, and Disputes and Regulatory Practice — allowing fellows to explore in-depth leading-edge legal and policy matters.
The fellowship fosters experiential learning through capstone projects, internships, masterclasses, and mentorship by internationally known faculty, including Harvard, Yale, and NLSIU professors and senior practitioners from leading law firms and think tanks. Fellows also get exposure to an international academic and professional network, improving their practical skills and strategic thinking.
Applications for the 2025 batch are now open, and all interested candidates are requested to apply early because the selection process is highly competitive. A graduate degree in law (LL.B. or equivalent) is a prerequisite for being considered. Professionals with non-law work experience (e.g., from the tech or policy space) and an established interest in legal regimes or regulatory systems can apply, based on consideration. Work experience is not required but will be considered a significant plus.
Daksha Fellowship Important Dates
The Daksha Fellowship Admission 2025 is a multi-round selection process, with applicants having the flexibility to plan submissions. The fellowship is competitive, and early application is highly recommended to enhance selection prospects and secure scholarships. The admissions are in two rounds, followed by interviews and rolling offers. Following is the provisional schedule for the 2025 admission cycle. Applicants are requested to regularly check the official Daksha Fellowship website for updates, deadline extensions, or notice on interview dates or offer releases.
Event
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Date (Tentative)
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Applications Open
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January 2025
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Round 1 Deadline
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March 31, 2025
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Round 2 Deadline (Final Round)
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May 15, 2025
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Interviews
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March–June 2025
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Final Offers
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Rolling basis
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Program Commencement
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July 2025
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Daksha Fellowship UG Courses
Sai University has a variety of interdisciplinary undergraduate (UG) courses under its liberal education umbrella. These courses are carefully planned to develop critical thinking, promote scholarly inquiry, and give sound subject expertise in multiple disciplines. It invites students to study a mix of sciences, humanities, technology, and law to find their interests and create a well-rounded picture of what they wish to pursue. To be eligible to apply for the UG courses at Sai University, the candidates should have passed 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board. Subject requirements differ according to the courses. Admissions are based on merit and include performance in national-level entrance tests like CUET, CLAT, JEE Main/Advanced, SAT India, or the university's SAIU CAT entrance test.
Course
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Eligibility
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Entrance Exams
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Duration
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Tuition Fee (Approx.)
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B.E. / B.Tech (6 courses)
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10+2 with PCM
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JEE Main, JEE Advanced, SAT India, CUET
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4 Years
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₹16 Lakhs – ₹20 Lakhs
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B.Sc. (10 courses)
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10+2 in Science/Maths
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SAT India, CUET, SAIU CAT
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3 Years
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₹10 Lakhs – ₹18 Lakhs
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B.A. LL.B. (1 course)
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10+2 with minimum 45% marks
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CLAT, CUET
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5 Years
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₹20 Lakhs
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B.A. (7 courses)
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10+2 or equivalent
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CUET, SAT India, SAIU CAT
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3 Years
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₹10 Lakhs – ₹16 Lakhs
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B.Com (1 course)
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10+2 or equivalent
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SAIU CAT
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3 Years
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₹12 Lakhs
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BBA (1 course)
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10+2 or equivalent
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SAIU CAT
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3 Years
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₹12 Lakhs
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BCA (1 course)
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10+2 or equivalent
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SAIU CAT
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3 Years
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₹9 Lakhs
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Daksha Fellowship Postgraduate (PG) Courses
Apart from the Daksha Fellowship, Sai University also provides other postgraduate courses that foster academic excellence and professional development. These are full-time LL.M., M.A., PG Diploma, and MBA/PGDM courses in law, policy, economics, and business administration. The courses are designed to achieve international academic standards, emphasizing practical applications and leadership development. Candidates should possess a pertinent undergraduate degree and the necessary academic performance for admission to these postgraduate courses. Entrance exams like CLAT, LSAT India, or the SAIU CAT conducted by the university may be required for some programs based on the specialization.
Course
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Eligibility
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Entrance Exams
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Duration
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Tuition Fee (Approx.)
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MBA/PGDM (1 course)
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UG degree with minimum qualifying marks
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SAIU CAT
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2 Years
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₹10 Lakhs
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LL.M. (4 courses)
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LL.B. with minimum 50% marks
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CLAT, LSAT India, SAIU CAT
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1 Year
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₹1.5 Lakhs
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M.A. (1 course)
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UG degree in relevant stream
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–
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1 Year
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₹1.5 Lakhs
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Daksha Fellowship Diploma Courses
Sai University's Diploma courses are designed for students who want to acquire practical, specialized skills in a particular area without a full-time degree program. These short-term courses focus on learning by doing, skill acquisition, and professional development. Whether you want to build your expertise in law, technology, or other areas, the Diploma courses provide a concentrated, practical learning experience. Students can leverage an industry-focused curriculum, workshops, and internships.
Course
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Eligibility
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Entrance Exams
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Duration
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Tuition Fee (Approx.)
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PG Diploma (1 course)
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–
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–
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1 Year
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₹1.5 Lakhs
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Daksha Fellowship Doctoral (Ph.D.) Courses
Sai University provides Ph.D. programs geared for those wanting to pursue further academic research and give back to their respective professions. The Ph.D. at Sai University introduces specialized subjects deeply and offers the chance to conduct primary research and development in laws, technology, policies, etc. Candidates aspiring to take the Ph.D. courses should possess an applicable postgraduate degree and may have to sit for the CLAT entrance examination.
Course
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Eligibility
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Entrance Exams
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Duration
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Tuition Fee (Approx.)
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Ph.D. (2 courses)
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Postgraduate degree in a relevant field
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CLAT
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–
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₹50,000 – ₹1.5 Lakhs
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Daksha Fellowship Admission Procedure 2025
The Daksha Fellowship adopts an integrated, competitive admission procedure to discover driven and inquiring minds. The procedure assesses academic performance, work experience, communication skills, and compatibility with the fellowship's mission. Selection comprises essay submissions, interviews, and a statement of purpose.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official website: www.dakshafellowship.org
- Fill out the Online Application – Provide academic information, work experience, personal details, and essay answers.
- Upload Documents – Provide degree certificates, a recent CV, a statement of purpose, and reference letters.
- Submit Application – Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all the available seats are taken.
- Interview – Shortlisted candidates are called for a video interview with the admissions committee.
- Offer & Enrollment – Shortlisted candidates get offer letters and must confirm enrollment with fee payment.
Documents Required:
- Passport-sized recent photograph
- Undergraduate degree certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Updated Resume/CV
- Letters of Recommendation (at least one)
- ID proof (Aadhaar Card/PAN Card/Passport)
Daksha Fellowship Admission 2025 FAQs
What is the area of focus of the Daksha Fellowship?
The Daksha Fellowship deals with interdisciplinary learning at the interface of law, policy, and technology and prepares professionals for upcoming challenges.
Is the Daksha Fellowship a full-time residential program?
It is a residential, full-time, one-year Daksha Fellowship conducted at Sai University, Chennai.
Is work experience a requirement for the Daksha Fellowship?
Prior work experience in law, policy, or tech is not a requirement but is preferred and an added plus to your application for the Daksha Fellowship.
Do scholarships exist at Daksha Fellowship?
Daksha Fellowship provides merit scholarships and need-based and potential-based financial aid options.
Is the Daksha Fellowship open to non-law graduates?
Those with economics, public policy, and tech backgrounds can apply for applicable tracks such as Law and Regulation at Daksha Fellowship.
What type of faculty and mentors comprise Daksha Fellowship?
The Daksha Fellowship includes faculty members from Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and Indian universities, along with leading legal practitioners and policy thinkers.
What career guidance does Daksha Fellowship offer?
Daksha Fellowship offers career services such as placement support, internships, mentorship, and industry leader networking.
How is the Daksha Fellowship 2025 selected?
The process involves an online application, essay review, interview, and final offer on overall merit.
What is the language of instruction in Daksha Fellowship?
The language of instruction at Daksha Fellowship is English.
Do I have to apply online for the Daksha Fellowship 2025?
Yes, applications are invited online on the official Daksha Fellowship website.