VB Aspirational Block Programme Fellow Recruitment 2026

VB Aspirational Block Programme Fellow Recruitment 2026: Overview

Visva-Bharati (VB) has announced the engagement of Aspirational Block Programme Fellows for block administrations in Birbhum district, West Bengal. The work supports the Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) in Nanoor, Khoyrasole and Mayureswar-I, with the university's Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension at Sriniketan coordinating the notice. This is a contractual development-programme assignment linked to local administration and its work on development outcomes. You will work within the block administration's reporting arrangements, under the Block Development Officer's guidance.

Service Conditions and Caveats

• Initial engagement: The contract runs for one year. An extension for one further year is possible if needed, so you should treat continuation as conditional rather than automatic.
• Employment status: The engagement is temporary and contractual. It gives you no right to a regular government appointment or absorption into another government post after the fellowship.
• Supervision: The Block Development Officer (BDO) provides overall guidance and supervision. You report to the BDO for your day-to-day functioning within the assigned block.
• Field setting: The assignment involves contact with development activities on the ground. The notice places field visits alongside work with block officials, rather than describing a campus-only fellowship.
• University coordination: The notice names Dr. Subhrangsu Santra as nodal officer and Professor Amit Kumar Hazra as director. Both sign from Visva-Bharati, Sriniketan, while day-to-day supervision of the fellows rests with the block administration.
• Administrative coordination: The programme connects block-level work with district, state and national authorities. Its reporting arrangements include NITI Aayog, as required by the authorities overseeing the programme.
• Training: Fellows attend training arranged by NITI Aayog or state and district authorities. These programmes form part of the expected engagement alongside work within the block.
• Programme systems: The work uses the ABP portal and, where applicable, the Champions of Change portal. These systems support the administration's assessment of block progress.
• Termination: The District Administration can end the engagement for inefficiency or irregularities. The possibility of an extension does not remove this condition.
• Applicable instructions: The competent authority's rules and instructions govern the engagement. Its decisions also apply to matters concerning duties and the fellowship's terms and conditions.

Corrigenda and Notices

• Corrigendum published on 14 September 2026: The university broadened the accepted postgraduate discipline and extended the application window. The updated requirements and deadline are reflected in the relevant fields on this page.
• Unchanged conditions: The corrigendum leaves the remaining provisions of the original notice in place. Read the amendment together with the original recruitment notice when considering the engagement.

• Support block officials in planning and monitoring Aspirational Block Programme activities.
• Collect, check and analyse data on development indicators and programme outcomes.
• Update progress on the ABP and Champions of Change portals where applicable.
• Visit project sites to identify implementation gaps and suggest practical improvements.
• Organise community workshops, awareness activities and skill-building programmes.
• Prepare reports, presentations and records of good governance practices.
• Keep the Block Development Officer informed about problems and support needs.