New Govt PhD Scheme – “Videshi PhD & Desi College”

The Centre is working on a proposal to grant scholarships to meritorious Indian students aspiring to pursue PhD at top 200 global universities. But there is a rider: They will have to come back and serve as teachers at the higher education institutions in the country for at least five years.

The new scheme is being formulated by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to facilitate “permanent” return/migration of young Indian academicians/scholars under the age of 40. Under the ‘Prime Minister Academician Return’ scheme, such scholars will be offered teaching jobs at preferred Indian institutions.

This proposed scheme is expected to be launched by 2020 and will be available to post-doctoral scholars and Indian/Indian-origin PhDs from the top 200 universities of the world.

A ministry official said that the returning scholars will be eligible for an appropriate salary package upon joining an Indian Institute. One-Time relocation money & one-time research grant will also be provided, with eligibility to apply for research top-ups for up to 5 years and apply for an expedited visa and expedited OCI card.

Furthermore, scholar’s spouses will be provided assistance for a suitable job search in India and will be supported for obtaining an expedited visa.

“They will be eligible for appropriate salary band at Indian institutions, one-time relocation cost, one-time research budget, with eligibility to apply for research top-ups for up to five years and apply for an expedited visa and expedited OCI (overseas Indian citizens) card,” a ministry official said.

Their spouses will be “assisted” in job search in India and “supported” in obtaining “an expedited visa”.

“Additional responsibilities of these academicians besides teaching will include mentoring at least one Indian PhD scholar/post-doctoral scholar every year and mentoring a geographically-proximate ATAL Tinkering Lab or ATAL Incubation Centre,” the official said.

Respected Source – Deccan Herald