Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Research and innovation play an important role in the development of a country, helping solve complex problems and create new scientific and technological advancements. However, pursuing advanced research often requires years of dedicated study, access to quality research facilities and sufficient financial support. To encourage talented students to pursue high-level research in India, the Government of India announced the Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme in 2018. The scheme provides selected PhD scholars in science and technology with a monthly fellowship of ₹70,000 to ₹80,000, depending on their year of study, along with a research grant of ₹2 lakh per year. This support helps scholars focus on advanced research without facing the full burden of research-related expenses.

The scheme is administered by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its main objectives are to attract talented students to research, promote cutting-edge science and technology, strengthen research in premier Indian institutions and encourage solutions to important national challenges. By supporting high-potential researchers, PMRF also aims to strengthen India's research capabilities and reduce the need for talented students to seek advanced research opportunities abroad.

Under the scheme, eligible scholars can receive fellowship support for up to five years, depending on their qualifying degree and the applicable rules. In addition to the monthly fellowship, the annual research grant can help cover approved academic expenses, including research-related contingency costs and travel to national or international conferences. The scheme is available to eligible PhD scholars in science and technology disciplines who secure admission to a designated PMRF granting institution and qualify through the prescribed Direct Entry or Lateral Entry route. Direct Entry applicants must meet the relevant academic and qualification requirements, while Lateral Entry applicants must satisfy the prescribed PhD coursework, academic performance and application-timing conditions.

The application process is different from that of many general scholarships. Students cannot simply submit an open application directly to the national PMRF portal. They must first secure admission to a PhD programme at a participating institution, meet the applicable eligibility conditions and seek nomination through their institute. After nomination, they can complete the detailed application and provide the required academic records, research proposal and referee details. Selection is based on an expert evaluation process and the availability of fellowship seats under the scheme's rules. Students who need guidance should first contact their institute's PMRF coordinator. They can also refer to the official PMRF website for the scheme guidelines, participating institutions and contact details.

Students exploring other research funding opportunities can also read about the Gujarat SHODH Scholarship Scheme, which supports eligible full-time PhD scholars in Gujarat, and the IndiaAI Fellowship Scheme, which supports eligible students undertaking artificial intelligence-related study and research. These schemes have different eligibility conditions and benefits, so applicants should check the relevant guidelines before applying.

Scheme Benefits

The Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme provides financial assistance and research opportunities to talented PhD scholars in science and technology. The major benefits of the scheme are listed below:

• Selected scholars receive a monthly fellowship ranging from ₹70,000 to ₹80,000, depending on their year of study.
• Fellows receive a research grant of ₹2 lakh per year to cover approved academic and research-related expenses.
• Eligible scholars can receive fellowship support for up to five years, depending on their qualifying degree and applicable scheme rules.
• The fellowship helps students focus on advanced research without depending entirely on personal savings or other financial support.
• The research grant can be used for approved expenses, including academic contingency costs and travel to national and international research conferences.
• Scholars can conduct advanced research at designated PMRF granting institutions, including IITs, IISc and other eligible institutions.
• The scheme encourages research in science, engineering and technology to address national challenges and promote innovation in India.
• Fellows participate in annual research reviews to assess their progress and receive feedback from expert panels.
• Scholars gain teaching experience by completing the prescribed teaching assistance responsibilities as part of their academic training.

Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Fellowship Amount and Research Grant

The Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme provides selected PhD scholars with a monthly fellowship and a separate research grant. The fellowship increases as scholars progress through their doctoral studies, while the research grant helps cover approved academic and research-related expenses.

In addition to the monthly fellowship, eligible scholars receive a research grant of ₹2 lakh per year. For a full five-year tenure, this amounts to ₹10 lakh in research support.

• Maximum fellowship amount over five years: ₹45 lakh.
• Research grant over five years: ₹10 lakh.
• Total potential support over five years: ₹55 lakh.

The total amount of ₹55 lakh applies to a full five-year tenure at the stated rates. Scholars with a shorter fellowship period, including certain integrated-course and Lateral Entry candidates, receive support according to their applicable tenure and the current PMRF guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF), you must meet the academic and other eligibility conditions specified in the latest scheme guidelines. The main requirements are explained below.

• PhD Admission: You must be admitted to a PhD programme in science, engineering or technology at an institution recognised as a PMRF-granting institution.
• Direct Entry – Degree Requirements: Generally, your qualifying degree must have been completed within the previous three years. You must also meet the academic and other conditions specified in the current guidelines.
• Direct Entry – Eligible Academic Programmes: Under one Direct Entry route, final-year students or graduates of eligible four-year or five-year undergraduate programmes, integrated M.Tech programmes, two-year M.Sc programmes or dual-degree programmes from specified institutions may qualify with a minimum CGPA/CPI of 8.0 out of 10.
• Applicants from Other Indian or Foreign Institutions: Applicants from other recognised Indian institutions or foreign universities may qualify through the applicable Direct Entry route if they meet the required CGPA criteria and have at least one of the following, as specified in the guidelines:
  • A GATE score of 650 or above in the relevant subject.
  • A UGC/CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) rank of 100 or better.
  • An NBHM fellowship.
• GATE-Qualified M.Tech or MS by Research Students: Candidates pursuing or admitted to an M.Tech or MS by Research programme at a PMRF-granting institution may qualify for Direct Entry if they have a minimum CGPA/CPI of 8.0 and have completed at least four eligible courses.
• Lateral Entry – Academic Requirements: You must already be pursuing a PhD at a PMRF-granting institution. Generally, you must have a minimum CGPA of 8.5 after completing at least four eligible full-semester courses.
• Lateral Entry – Time Limits: You must meet the prescribed time limits based on when you joined your PhD programme or upgraded to a PhD from another programme.
• Application Limits: You can apply through Direct Entry only once and through Lateral Entry up to twice.
• Students Moving from a Master's to a PhD: Under the specified rules, students who convert from a master's programme to a PhD, or complete their master's requirements within an integrated master's-PhD programme, cannot apply through Direct Entry. However, they may be eligible for Lateral Entry if they meet its requirements.
• Eligible Research Fields: The scheme covers PhD research in science, engineering and technology. Research in humanities and social sciences is not covered under these eligibility rules.

List of PMRF Granting Institutions

Students must be admitted to a PhD programme at a designated PMRF granting institution before they can be considered for the fellowship. The official PMRF website lists the participating institutions and their institute coordinators. The institutions listed below are grouped by category to make them easier to check.

Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

• IIT Bhilai
• IIT (BHU) Varanasi
• IIT Bhubaneswar
• IIT Bombay
• IIT Delhi
• IIT Dharwad
• IIT Gandhinagar
• IIT Goa
• IIT Guwahati
• IIT Hyderabad
• IIT Indore
• IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
• IIT Jammu
• IIT Jodhpur
• IIT Kanpur
• IIT Kharagpur
• IIT Madras
• IIT Mandi
• IIT Palakkad
• IIT Patna
• IIT Roorkee
• IIT Ropar
• IIT Tirupati

Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)

• IISER Berhampur
• IISER Bhopal
• IISER Kolkata
• IISER Mohali
• IISER Pune
• IISER Tirupati
• IISER Thiruvananthapuram

Other participating institutions

• Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
• National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli
• Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
• University of Delhi
• University of Hyderabad

The list above reflects the institutions identified in the PMRF scheme information used for this article. As participation and coordinator details can change, confirm the current list and the applicable PhD admission arrangements on the official PMRF Granting Institutions page before applying.

Required Documents

Once your institute nominates you for the Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme, you will need to provide academic records and details of your research background through the application portal. The exact documents depend on your entry route and the instructions sent to nominated applicants.

• Official grade sheets or academic transcripts showing your marks and CGPA/CPI.
• Degree certificate or provisional certificate, where applicable.
• GATE scorecard, if required for your eligibility route.
• Proof of UGC/CSIR JRF rank or NBHM fellowship, where applicable.
• Updated curriculum vitae (CV) containing your academic qualifications and research experience.
• Research proposal or statement of purpose explaining your proposed research.
• Details of research projects, internships and relevant academic experience.
• List of research publications, including papers under submission, if applicable.
• Names and contact details of referees who will submit recommendation letters through the prescribed online process.
• PhD admission and institute nomination details, along with coursework information where required.

This is a general checklist, not a mandatory list for every applicant. After nomination, follow the document instructions provided by the PMRF portal and your institute. You can also check the official PMRF FAQs for application-related guidance.

Direct Entry vs Lateral Entry

The PMRF Scheme has two routes through which eligible PhD scholars may be considered for the fellowship. Direct Entry is intended for candidates who meet the prescribed requirements at the beginning of their PhD programme, while Lateral Entry is available to eligible students who are already pursuing a PhD at a PMRF granting institution.

Direct Entry eligibility routes

• Candidates with eligible undergraduate, integrated, dual-degree or postgraduate qualifications from specified institutions may qualify if they meet the prescribed academic requirements.
• Candidates from other recognised Indian institutions or foreign universities may qualify under the relevant route if they meet the CGPA requirement and an accepted additional qualification, such as a GATE score of at least 650, a UGC/CSIR JRF rank of 100 or better, or an NBHM fellowship.
• Eligible GATE-qualified candidates pursuing an M.Tech or MS by Research at a granting institution may also qualify if they meet the required CGPA/CPI and coursework conditions.

Lateral Entry eligibility conditions

• You must already be pursuing a PhD at a PMRF granting institution.
• You must meet the required CGPA and eligible coursework conditions.
• Applicants joining a PhD after a master's degree generally need to apply within 12 months of joining.
• Applicants entering a direct PhD after a bachelor's degree generally need to apply within 24 months of joining.
• Additional time limits apply to candidates upgraded from M.S., M.Tech. or M.Sc. programmes.

These are summary conditions, not a substitute for the complete eligibility rules. The accepted degrees, qualifying examinations, course requirements and time limits depend on the applicant's circumstances. Read the latest PMRF guidelines before deciding which route applies to you.

Steps to Apply

Applying for the Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme starts with securing admission to a PhD programme at a designated PMRF granting institution. Unlike scholarships that accept applications directly from students, PMRF requires eligible candidates to be nominated by their institute before they can submit the detailed fellowship application. Follow these steps to understand the process.

1. Check the eligibility criteria: First, read the latest PMRF guidelines to check whether you qualify through the Direct Entry or Lateral Entry route. Review the academic requirements, minimum CGPA, relevant GATE or fellowship qualifications, and application time limits that apply to your route.
2. Secure admission to a PhD programme: Apply for a PhD programme in an eligible science, engineering or technology discipline at one of the designated PMRF granting institutions. Admission to a PhD programme is required before you can be considered for the fellowship.
3. Contact your institute's PMRF coordinator: After securing admission or if you are already pursuing a PhD at a granting institution, contact the institute's PMRF coordinator. Ask about the current nomination cycle, internal screening process, required documents and submission deadlines. The institute may conduct its own assessment before nominating eligible candidates.
4. Get nominated by your institute: If your institute finds you eligible, it may nominate your application through the PMRF portal. You cannot independently submit a new application for nomination through a public registration form. You can find coordinator details through the PMRF contact page.
5. Complete the detailed online application: After your nomination is accepted for the next stage, you will receive instructions to access the PMRF application portal. Use the login details provided to enter your academic information, research experience, publications, CV and research proposal or statement of purpose. Upload the documents requested for your entry route.
6. Provide your referees' details: Enter the names and contact details of your recommenders as instructed. Your referees must submit their recommendation letters through the prescribed online process, so inform them in advance and make sure they meet the notified deadline.
7. Wait for the evaluation and final selection: Once the application and recommendations are submitted, the relevant national expert panel evaluates the nominated candidates and prepares its recommendations. Final selection is made by the National Coordination Committee based on the candidates' rankings and the fellowship seats allocated to the institutions. Institute nomination alone does not guarantee selection.

Important Dates and Application Deadlines

The PMRF Scheme does not have one permanent public application deadline for all candidates. Students must first meet the eligibility conditions and obtain a nomination through their PhD institution. Nomination schedules and internal deadlines should therefore be confirmed with the relevant institute coordinator.

Relevant Links

• Ministry of Education, Government of India
• Official Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Portal
• Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Application Portal
• Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Guidelines
• List of PMRF Granting Institutions and Coordinators
• Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Frequently Asked Questions
• Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Revised Guidelines

Contact Information

For Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Queries – National Coordinating Institute, IIT Madras

• Phone: 044-2257 8079
• Email: [email protected]
• Finance-related queries: [email protected]
• National Coordination Committee: [email protected]
• Address: Indian Institute of Technology Madras, IIT P.O., Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600036, India.
• PMRF Contact Details

For questions about eligibility, nomination or institute-level deadlines, applicants should first contact the PMRF coordinator at their respective institution. For general scheme queries, they can use the IIT Madras contact details listed above.