LAMP Fellowship

Do you love challenges? Are you willing to try something unique? Do you have the potential in you to be the changemaker? If your answer to all the questions is yes then the Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament (LAMP) Fellowship is a worthy option for you to consider after graduation. Started in the year 2010 by PRS Legislative Research in collaboration with the Constitution Club of India, the LAMP Fellowship is now considered amongst the most prestigious fellowships in India along with Kothari Fellowship, Gandhi Fellowship and Ramanujan Fellowship. Keeping in view its importance, here is a blog that will elucidate various components of the fellowship and what it entails.

What is LAMP Fellowship?

LAMP Fellowship provides students with a platform to work in the policy-making sector at the national level. Each LAMP fellow is assigned a Member Parliament and works under his/her guidance throughout the duration of the program (11 months). The fellowship generally begins in the month of June and continues till April/May (subject to parliamentary calendar). Let us now go through the other important components of the fellowship to make things more clear.

Duties of a LAMP Fellow

Being one of the most revered fellowships in India, A LAMP Fellow is tasked with scores of roles and responsibilities and is required to undertake the following activities:

• Assist the Member of Parliament in the work that has been assigned. 
• Conduct in-depth research and analysis on an array of topics like food, security, environment, defence, gender, etc. 
• Provide assistance in drafting parliamentary questions, press releases, and private members bill. 
• Interact and maintain a cordial relationship with the stakeholders. 
• Carry out research on constituency-based issues. 

Eligibility Criteria

The LAMP Fellowship is open to Indian citizens who are not more than 25 years of age and hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from a recognized university or college. 

Application Process

The process of applying for the LAMP fellowship is fairly simple and has been delineated in the following points:

• The application process of the LAMP Fellowship for the 2020-2021 session will start in January 2020. 
• The process will be conducted in online mode. 
• Along with the application form, the candidate will also be required to submit a statement of intent and an analysis essay of 500 words each. 
• The statement of intent should be able to explain your candidature and why do you consider yourself as a good fit for the fellowship. 
• The essay should include an in-depth analysis of a policy or law. 

Selection Process of LAMP Fellowship

The selection process is conducted in two stages of shortlisting and interview. The applicants at first are selected based on their application form, Statement of Intent, and the essay. The shortlisted candidates for the LAMP Fellowship are then required to appear for an interview which is conducted either in person or telephonically. The candidates who qualify the final round undergo a 1-month long intensive training where they are familiarised with the legal and parliamentary procedures, Indian constitution, and basics of economics amongst others.

Stipend and Travel

Below are some important details regarding the stipend and logistics covered under LAMP Fellowship:

• The fellows are provided with a stipend of Rs. 20,000 a month. 
• The office space will depend on the arrangements made by the assigned Member Parliament.
• The work is based in Delhi but if required, you will have to travel to the Member’s constituency which will be arranged by the member itself.
• The fellows will have to use their own laptops and internet connections during the fellowship. 

What Next After LAMP Fellowship?

After the end of the fellowship, fellows can explore opportunities across sectors and organisations. A few of the mainstream options have been mentioned below:

• Join a government or a private organization working in the policy-making sector.
• Pursue courses related to the work you have done like MA in Political Science or other such fields from top universities in India and abroad. 
• Continue to work with parliamentarians or political parties. 
• Prepare for the state or civil service exam and join the coveted services. 
• Work in the corporate sector or join international organizations like the World Health Organisation(WHO), UNESCO, World Bank, CPR and so forth.

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]

A few of the important FAQs related to the LAMP Fellowship have been dealt with in the following paragraph.

What is the duration of LAMP Fellowship?
Generally, the fellows will be required to work from the monsoon session of the parliament to the budget session. Furthermore, before the work starts, they will have to undergo a 1-month long intensive training program.

How many leaves will the fellows be granted?
A fellow can take at most 2 leaves per month. But this has to be first approved by the PRS team and then by the Member Parliament. 

Who will the fellows report to?
The LAMP fellows have to report to the Member Parliament on a daily basis and PRS on a weekly basis. 

Is work experience necessary for the LAMP Fellowship?
Although candidates having work experience is recommended but it is not a mandatory criterion for selection. 

How are the Fellows assigned to the Member Parliament?
No preference is given to any fellow while being assigned to a Member of Parliament. The member can be from the opposition or the ruling party and from both houses of the parliament. 

We thus have covered all the details pertinent to the LAMP Fellowship. If you wish to know about fellowships offered by universities abroad then feel free to contact Leverage Edu. Our dedicated team of mentors and counsellors will help you take a step in the right direction.