Jagriti Yatra

Check the deadline first

• Registrations close on 25 October 2026 at 11:59 PM IST.
• The site says the Yatra dates are subject to change, so confirm the dates before you plan travel.

Apply through the website

• Use the Apply Now link on the Yatra website and log in to the application.
• Applications are accepted in English or Hindi only.
• The form asks for personal details such as your name, contact details, date of birth, profession and address.

Check the age band

• Participants are aged 21 to 27.
• Facilitators are experienced professionals above 28.

Show how you think

• The Yatra says selection does not depend on educational qualifications.
• It looks at how candidates think creatively about India's pressing problems, and how committed they are to solving them.
• You do not need to be an entrepreneur yet. Show the potential and motivation to become one.

Plan for the cost

• The application fee is non-refundable.
• The programme cost depends on the scholarship level. Scholarships are available for selected candidates who need financial support.
• Refunds depend on when you withdraw. The refund policy page sets out the schedule.

Prepare for the Biz Gyan Tree

• Think through a business idea for Middle India before you travel.
• You will write a business plan under expert guidance and pitch it to a jury.

Jagriti Yatra is a 15-day entrepreneurship journey by train across India, run as a non-profit initiative. It takes selected youth and experienced professionals on one train for two weeks, meets entrepreneurs and role models along the way, and asks each participant to build an enterprise idea aimed at Tier 2 and Tier 3 India.

What the journey is

The Yatra has run since 2008. The 2026 edition is scheduled from 23rd November to 8th December 2026, and the site says the dates are subject to change. The route covers 8000 kilometres and 12 destinations, starting and ending in Mumbai. Participants stay on the train for all 15 days, and the organising team and volunteers live on board with them.

How the programme works

During the journey, Yatris take part in role model sessions with 12 role models, panel discussions, hands-on workshops and peer-to-peer learning. The site also describes the Jagriti Enterprise Mela, a gathering of enterprises working across rural and semi-urban areas.

The part most relevant to founders is the Biz Gyan Tree. Here Yatris create a business plan for Middle India under expert guidance, pitch it to a jury, and get incubation support. The site does not say how many pitches receive that support.

Who can apply

Anyone over 21 can apply. Participants are youth aged 21 to 27. Facilitators are experienced professionals above 28. Applicants do not need a degree, and they do not need to be entrepreneurs already. The site says its vision is to reach young Indians from rural and non-urban regions, and it has had candidates from almost all states. Applications are accepted in English or Hindi only.

How selection works

The Yatra takes 500 youngsters a year, selected from thousands of applicants. The home page describes 525 changemakers on the 2026 journey, so the two numbers differ on the site. Selection looks at abilities, motivations and values rather than exam results. The review process covers application screening, interviews where needed, reference checks and scholarship evaluation.

Life on the train

Male and female candidates travel in separate bogies, with separate bathing facilities. Women security staff cover each women's bogie. A group of doctors is on board at all times, with basic medication. Participants who need specific medication are asked to carry their own.

Scale and track record

The site says the Yatra has impacted 9500+ youth from India and 23 countries since 2008. The privacy policy refers to a 9,500+ alumni community. An extract from an independent evaluation by Impactree in 2024 reports that 28% of respondents turned into entrepreneurs after the Yatra, and that 10% see it as a significant influence on their lives. These are self-reported figures, and the site does not publish the full survey.

Where the journey goes

The itinerary on the home page starts at Mumbai CST and then runs through Hubli, Kochi, Madurai, Sri City, Visakhapatnam, Behrampur, Nalanda, Deoria, Delhi, Jaipur and Ahmedabad before returning to Mumbai. The site notes that itinerary and timings are approximate, because they depend on Indian Railways scheduling. Yatris make their own way to Mumbai and book their return journeys from Mumbai.

If you need to withdraw

The application fee is non-refundable. For the rest of the programme cost, the refund depends on when you tell the Yatra that you are withdrawing, and the refund policy page sets out the schedule. Participants who cannot travel because of a medical emergency or serious illness may be eligible for a partial refund if they provide a medical certificate.

Who runs it

The privacy policy names Jagriti Sewa Sansthan as the organisation behind the Yatra. Enquiries go to the team at info@jagritiyatra.com. The office is in Chembur, Mumbai.