Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship for Engineering, Science Students: Apply by April 7,2019

For each hosting institute (IISc, IISERs and IITs) the Ph.D admissions under the PMRF scheme will be supernumerary.

Applications have been invited for the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowships (PMRF), May 2019 session.

The scheme is aimed at attracting the talent pool of the country to Doctoral (Ph.D.) programmes of Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs) and Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for carrying out research in cutting edge science and technology domains, with focus on national priorities.

Under the PMRF scheme for May 2019, students who have completed or are pursuing, the final year of four year undergraduate or five year integrated M.Tech or five year integrated M.Sc. or five year undergraduate-postgraduate dual degree programmes or two year M.Sc. programmes in Science and Technology streams from IIEST/IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs and centrally funded IIITs or any other Institute / University recognized in India, are eligible for admission to full time Ph.D. programme in the IISc, IISERs and IITs provided they fulfil prescribed eligibility criteria and finally get selected after short-listing/written test/interview.

For each hosting institute (IISc, IISERs and IITs) the Ph.D admissions under the PMRF scheme will be supernumerary.

Fellowship: Those finally selected will be offered admission to Ph.D. programme in one of IISc/IISERs/IITs with a fellowship of Rs.70,000/- per month for the first two years, Rs.75,000/- per month for the 3^rd year, and Rs.80,000/- per month in the 4^th and 5^thyear. Apart from this, a research grant of Rs.2.00 lakh per year will be provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to cover their academic contingency expenses and for foreign/national travel expenses.

There will be a rigorous review of the performance of Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship holders and continuation of the next year fellowship shall be contingent upon successful review.

Eligibility Criteria: 

(i) Those who have completed or should be pursuing the final year of four (or five) year undergraduate or five year integrated M.Tech or five year integrated M.Sc. or 2 year M.Sc. or five year undergraduate-postgraduate dual degree programs in Science and Technology streams from IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIEST and centrally funded IIITs, securing a CGPA/CPI of at least 8.0 (on a 10-point scale) (For those in the five year integrated or dual degree programs, if separate CGPAs/CPIs are awarded for UG and PG parts of the programme then the CGPA/CPI of UG part (first four year) will be considered).

(ii) who have completed or are pursuing the final year of four (or five) year undergraduate or five year integrated M.Tech or five year integrated M.Sc. or 2 year M.Sc. or five year undergraduate-postgraduate dual degree programs in Science and Technology streams from any other Institute / University recognized in India other than those specified in pre-para, securing a CGPA/CPI of at least 8.0 (on a 10-point scale) or equivalent till the last semester and have secured a score of 750 or higher in the respective GATE subject.

(iii) who have qualified GATE and are pursuing or have completed M.Tech. / MS by Research at IISc/IITs/IISERs (hereafter referred to as host institutions) having a minimum CGPA or CPI of 8.0 (on a 10-point scale) at the end of the  first semester with a minimum of four courses. Those candidates who are applying after the first semester, the CGPA or CPI requirement of 8.0 will be based on all the courses, labs, thesis that the candidate has completed. This is applicable to above eligible candidates at the time of application.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE

Abstract Submission: The Project abstract should clearly articulate the area of the study and should display keen interest and insight on the subject chosen. The Project abstract should formulate a problem for the study which would be used for assessing the applicant’s analytical and research skills. The topic chosen should be in frontier areas of science and technology, preferably, focusing on national priorities. There should be at least two referee names provided by each applicant for the Selection Committee to seek feedback.

Broad Disciplines & Nodal Institutes: Admission under the PMRF will be made in 19 broad disciplines. For each broad discipline one IIT or IISc will coordinate the admission process (review applications, shortlist applicants, constitute selection committees and hold final selections) and will be referred to as the Nodal Institute for that broad discipline.

Selection Process: The selection process will consist of Screening by the Reviewers, and final selection by the Selection Committee for each research vertical. The process may also include written test and/or discussions, if necessary. The allocation of Institute shall be done in the manner described at https://may2019.pmrf.in/

The National Coordination Committee (NCC) will periodically review and monitor implementation of the scheme. The NCC will report to MHRD the status of the scheme, fund flow and utilization thereof, and policy changes required to make the scheme more effective. There will be internal reviews twice a year. There will be a National Convention every year where all PMRFs will showcase their work. This will be an occasion for the Industry to participate in the Convention. There will be a website set up by the NCC showcasing the areas of work of each PMR.

The tenure of fellowship will be four years for students from integrated courses and five years for B. Tech. students. Industry participation in the PMRF programme would be explored through CSR funding so as to enable industry to sponsor maximum number of fellows.