The selection process for The Anandi Fellowship is highly rigorous and designed to identify students with exceptional entrepreneurial acumen and grit. It unfolds in two primary stages.

Stage 1: Anandi-NEAT 2026. Applicants first undergo the Nationwide Entrepreneurial Acumen Test (Anandi-NEAT 2026). This is a 2-hour pen-and-paper examination conducted across seven major cities in India. The test features a combination of multiple-choice objective questions and subjective questions, assessing candidates across five key domains: Quantitative Reasoning and Numeric Proficiency, Logic and Inferencing, Data Interpretation and Verbal Reasoning, General Awareness, and Business Judgement. This stage aims to filter for foundational intellectual capabilities and an inherent understanding of business principles.

Stage 2: Grit Bootcamp. The top 50 performers from the Anandi-NEAT 2026 are invited to an intensive 3-day in-person Grit Bootcamp held in Gurgaon. This fully-expensed bootcamp is an advanced evaluation phase, involving a circuit of challenging activities designed to test various elements of grit, including resilience, perseverance, toughness, positivity, ambiguity management, and strength of character. Activities typically include panel interviews, group discussions, intricate case study competitions, dynamic business simulations, and even physical endurance circuits. Esteemed Partner Mentors actively participate in the evaluation process. At the culmination of the Grit Bootcamp, only 10 participants are ultimately selected and extended the prestigious Anandi Fellowship.

The Anandi Fellowship offers a comprehensive package of financial and strategic support. Fellows receive an Annual Scholarship of ₹1 lakh for every year they are in college, regardless of their institution or course. This scholarship aims to support their academic journey. Additionally, every summer, fellows engage in rigorous Pit-Stop Internships (PSIs) with India's leading startups and VCs, for which they receive a stipend of ₹1 lakh per month. Each summer internship provides a total of ₹2 lakh.

Upon successful graduation from both the fellowship and college, fellows are awarded a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) for a full-time Entrepreneur-In-Residence (E-I-R) role at Bombay Shaving Company, with a competitive annual package of ₹25 lakh. This fast-track role provides direct exposure to the leadership team and company founders. For those who aspire to build their own ventures, the program offers a unique opportunity for seed investment: a ₹1 crore no-questions-asked investment for 10% equity in their company, provided it is founded before their 27th birthday. Beyond financial aid, fellows benefit from unparalleled mentorship from India's top entrepreneurs, extensive networking opportunities with partner organizations, and immersive training through bootcamps and hands-on experience, fostering a holistic development path for future founders.