- Get Government support to pursue advanced studies and research in Renewable Energy, helping students and researchers focus on innovation without financial constraints.
- Receive a monthly fellowship of up to ₹54,000, along with HRA and contingency grants for eligible categories, to cover research and living expenses.
- Conduct research in high-demand fields such as Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Green Hydrogen, Bioenergy, Energy Storage, and Small Hydro Power, contributing to India's clean energy transition.
- Access fellowship opportunities through leading universities, technical institutions, and national laboratories, enabling scholars to build successful careers in research, academia, and the renewable energy industry.
- Department of Science and Tocology Contact Number: +911126562122/25/33/44, 26567373, 26962819
Summary of Scheme | |
|---|---|
Name of Scheme | National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme (NREF) |
Benefits | Fellowship up to ₹54,000 per month + HRA + Contingency Grant |
Beneficiary | Students and Researchers pursuing M.Sc., M.Tech., Ph.D., JRF, SRF, RA and Post-Doctoral Research in Renewable Energy |
Subscription | |
Mode of Apply | To Be Announced |
Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview
The National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme (NREF) is a fellowship programme launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, to promote higher education and research in Renewable Energy technologies. Under the scheme, eligible students and researchers pursuing M.Sc., M.Tech., Ph.D., and post-doctoral studies in Renewable Energy-related fields can receive financial assistance ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹54,000 per month, along with other admissible benefits as per Government norms.
The scheme supports research and innovation in areas such as Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Bioenergy, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, Small Hydro Power, and other emerging clean energy technologies. Through this fellowship, the Government aims to encourage talented students and researchers to build careers in the renewable energy sector and contribute to the development of advanced clean energy solutions.
The fellowship is awarded through selected universities, technical institutions, and national laboratories based on merit and prescribed eligibility criteria. For the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, the Government has approved around 375 fellowship slots under the scheme as part of MNRE's Human Resource Development Programme.
Students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and other eligible categories may also explore fellowship schemes offered by the Government of India for higher education and research. Some popular schemes include the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) and the National Fellowship Scheme for OBC Students (NF-OBC), which provide financial assistance to eligible research scholars pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes. Interested candidates can check the eligibility criteria and benefits of these schemes and apply for the most suitable fellowship based on their category and academic qualifications.
Scheme Benefits
Fellowship Amount
Category | Fellowship (₹/Month) | Additional Benefits |
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | ₹31,000 | HRA as per Central Government norms + Contingency Grant of ₹20,000 per annum |
Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) | ₹35,000 | |
Research Associate (RA) / PDF Level-I | ₹47,000 | |
Research Associate (RA) / PDF Level-II | ₹49,000 | |
Research Associate (RA) / PDF Level-III | ₹54,000 | |
M.Tech / M.S. | ₹12,400 | No HRA or Contingency Grant |
M.Sc. (Renewable Energy) | ₹4,000 |
Duration of Fellowship
Category | Duration |
M.Tech / M.S. | 20–24 Months |
M.Sc. (Renewable Energy) | 24 Months |
JRF | 2 Years |
SRF | 3 Years |
Direct SRF Entry | Up to 3 Years |
RA / PDF | Up to 3 Years |
Fellowship Distribution
MNRE plans to support approximately 375 fellowship slots during 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Category | Total Slots (Five Years) |
M.Tech | 175 |
M.Sc. | 50 |
JRF | 100 |
Direct SRF | 25 |
RA / PD | 25 |
Total | 375 |
Eligibility Requirements
- Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
- Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Applicant must be pursuing studies or research in Renewable Energy-related subjects.
- Fellowship is available for M.Sc., M.Tech., Ph.D., JRF, SRF, RA, and PDF programmes.
- Research work must be related to Renewable Energy technologies.
- M.Tech and M.S. candidates must satisfy AICTE eligibility norms.
- JRF, SRF, RA, and PDF candidates must satisfy CSIR, DST, or UGC eligibility criteria.
- M.Sc. fellowships are available only for students pursuing M.Sc. in Renewable Energy.
- Students applying for M.Tech or Ph.D. programmes should be selected through GATE, NET, CSIR-JRF, CSIR-NET, AICTE, or equivalent qualifying examinations.
- Students without the prescribed qualifications are not eligible.
- Fellowships are awarded exclusively for Renewable Energy-related courses and research projects.
- Eligibility Criteria for Institutions
The scheme is open to:
- Universities
- Technical Institutions
- National Laboratories
- Research Institutions
- Institutions offering M.Tech., Integrated M.Sc., or Ph.D. programmes in Renewable Energy or Energy Studies
Additionally:
- Institutions should possess adequate research infrastructure and faculty expertise.
- Preference is given to institutions ranked among the Top 100 under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
- Institutions must have facilities for education and research in Renewable Energy.
Important Eligibility Notes
- For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), Research Associate (RA), and Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) categories, the Ministry follows the eligibility norms prescribed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Science and Technology (DST), and University Grants Commission (UGC).
- For M.Tech. and M.S. fellowships, eligibility and admission requirements are governed by the guidelines issued by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
- For M.Sc. (Renewable Energy) fellowships, eligibility conditions are determined in accordance with the norms prescribed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.
- Any revision in eligibility criteria issued by CSIR, DST, UGC, AICTE, or DBT may also apply to fellowship beneficiaries under the National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme.
Selection Process
Selection of Institutions
- MNRE publishes advertisements inviting applications from eligible institutions.
- Interested universities and institutions apply for fellowship slot allocation.
- Applications are evaluated by an expert committee constituted by MNRE.
- Fellowship slots are allotted to selected institutions.
Selection of Candidates
- Host institutions conduct their internal selection process.
- Candidates are selected according to AICTE, UGC, CSIR, DST, and related norms.
- Selected institutions forward the details of nominated candidates to MNRE.
- MNRE verifies eligibility and sanctions the fellowship.
- Fellowship becomes effective from the candidate's date of joining.
Disbursement of Fellowship
- Fellowship is released directly into the beneficiary's bank account.
- Payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Monthly disbursement is based on attendance and continuation certificates submitted by the host institution.
- The host institution is responsible for monitoring the scholar's progress and reporting to MNRE.
Required Documents
- Applicants may be required to submit:
- Passport-size Photograph
- Aadhaar Card
- Proof of Indian Citizenship
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Academic Transcripts and Mark Sheets
- Degree Certificates
- Admission/Enrollment Letter
- GATE/NET/CSIR-JRF Qualification Certificate (if applicable)
- Research Proposal
- Bank Account Details
- Recommendation Letters (if required by the institution)
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable
- PwD Certificate, if applicable
- Any other document required by the host institution or MNRE
Cancellation of Fellowship
The fellowship may be cancelled if:
- False information or forged documents are submitted.
- Candidate becomes ineligible.
- Research progress is found unsatisfactory.
- Course or research programme is discontinued.
- Fellowship guidelines are violated.
- Plagiarism or academic misconduct is established.
- The candidate receives another fellowship for the same purpose in violation of scheme norms.
Steps to Apply
For Institutions
- Watch for the annual advertisement issued by MNRE.
- Submit application for allocation of fellowship slots.
- Participate in the evaluation process.
- Receive sanction of fellowship slots from MNRE.
For Students
- Secure admission in an eligible Renewable Energy programme.
- Ensure that the institution has MNRE fellowship slots.
- Apply through the host institution.
- Participate in the institution's selection process.
- Institution forwards selected candidates to MNRE.
- MNRE verifies eligibility and awards the fellowship.
- Fellowship is released after joining and verification.
Important Guidelines
- Fellowship is available only for Renewable Energy-related studies and research.
- The scheme promotes advanced research and commercialization-oriented technologies.
- Periodic review and monitoring of fellowships are carried out by MNRE.
- The fellowship comes into effect from the date of joining.
- Continuation of fellowship depends on satisfactory academic and research progress.
- Fellowship support is subject to availability of sanctioned fellowship slots.
Relevant Links
- National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme Guidelines(2021-26)
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) Official Website
- NREF Application & Eligibility Example
Contact Information
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
- Address: Block No. 14, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003
- Department of Science and Tocology Contact Number: +911126562122/25/33/44, 26567373, 26962819
- Website: https://mnre.gov.in
- Applicants may also contact their respective host institution for fellowship-related assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
NREF is a fellowship scheme of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) that provides financial support to students and researchers pursuing higher education and research in Renewable Energy-related fields.
Indian students and researchers pursuing M.Sc., M.Tech., M.S., Ph.D., JRF, SRF, Research Associate (RA), or Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) programmes in Renewable Energy-related subjects can apply, subject to eligibility conditions.
The fellowship amount ranges from ₹4,000 per month for M.Sc. students to ₹54,000 per month for RA/PDF Level-III researchers, depending on the category.
Yes. JRF, SRF, and RA/PDF fellows are eligible for House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Government norms and a contingency grant of ₹20,000 per year. These benefits are not available for M.Sc. and M.Tech./M.S. fellows.
The scheme supports studies and research in Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Bioenergy, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage, Small Hydro Power, and other Renewable Energy technologies.
For many categories such as M.Tech., Ph.D., JRF, and SRF, candidates are generally required to qualify examinations such as GATE, NET, CSIR-JRF, CSIR-NET, or equivalent examinations, as applicable.
Eligible institutions conduct the selection process as per applicable norms and nominate selected candidates to MNRE. The Ministry verifies eligibility before sanctioning the fellowship.
The fellowship is transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
No. Candidates must secure admission in an eligible institution that has been allotted fellowship slots under the scheme and apply through that institution.
Yes. The fellowship may be cancelled if the candidate submits false information, discontinues the programme, shows unsatisfactory progress, violates scheme guidelines, or is found guilty of academic misconduct.
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| Person Type | Scheme Type | Govt |
|---|---|---|
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