New Delhi, 09 February 2018: The Union Cabinet on 07 February 2018 approved implementation of ‘Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF)’ scheme at a total cost of Rs.1650 crore for a period of seven years beginning 2018-19. PMRF scheme is for students of higher education institutions like IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIITs. This scheme will be the country’s most paid scholarships to date.
A maximum of 3000 Fellows would be selected in a three year period, beginning academic year 2018-19. The scheme has been announced in the Budget Speech 2018-19. Now the Union Cabinet approves the scheme.
Scheme Details: Under this scheme, the best students who have completed or are in the final year of B. Tech or Integrated M.Tech or M.Sc. in Science and Technology streams from IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIITs will be offered direct admission in PhD programme in the IITs/IISc. Such students, who fulfill the eligibility criteria, and shortlisted through a selection process, as laid down in the PMRF Guidelines, will be offered a fellowship of Rs.70,000/- per month for the first two years, Rs.75,000/- per month for the 3rd year, and Rs.80,000/- per month in the 4th and 5th years.
Apart from this, a research grant of Rs.2.00 lakh will be provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to cover their foreign travel expenses for presenting research papers in international conferences and seminars. A maximum of 3000 Fellows would be selected in a three year period, beginning 2018-19.
The scheme will go a long way in tapping the talent pool of the country for carrying out research indigenously in cutting edge science and technology domains. The research under the Scheme will address our national priorities at the one hand and shortage of quality faculty in the premier educational institutions of the country, on the other.
Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the biggest-ever Prime Minister’s Research Fellows scheme (PMRF) is for students of Science & Technology streams from IISC, IITs, NITs, IISERs & IIITs. The minister commented that the scheme will promote large scale innovation. The scheme will help stop brain-drain and promote brain-gain in the country.
The best of best students go abroad because of good research labs, faculty and fellowship. The government will provide all the three in India. Mr Javadekar said that the Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi believes in quick decision making. The PMRF scheme was announced in the Budget presented last week and the Cabinet has approved in less than a week’s time.
1000 best students who have completed BTech or Integrated MTech or MSc in Sc. & Tech. streams will be selected after a rigorous process in a year, and offered direct admission in PhD programme in the IITs/IISC.
Scheme Benefits: The Research Fellows will be offered Rs 70,000 P.M for first two years, Rs 75,000 P.M for 3rd year, & Rs 80,000 P.M for 4th & 5th years.
Apart from this, a research grant of Rs 2 lakh will be provided to each of the Fellows for a period of 5 years to enable them to participate in international research conference and present research papers.
The Scheme will also address national priorities on one hand and shortage of quality faculty in the premier educational institutions on the other.
The scheme will help tapping the talent pool of the country for carrying out research indigenously in cutting edge science & technology domains.
A minimum of 8 CGPA is one of the essential eligibility criteria. Students should have completed the required academic qualification in the last five years.
