PhD Scholarships in India

After completing a master’s degree, one of the options is to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. Taking up a research degree is a big decision to make owing to the amount of time and resources it takes. But one of the constraints that come in the way of a scholar, especially when the doctorate program is self-funded, is the cost of studying. Spanning over 3-5 Years, the doctorate course can drain your savings if there is no scholarship to back it up. To give you clarity, we have collated some of the popular PhD scholarships in India that are known to offer a handsome amount to scholars thus providing a hassle-free journey in establishing your career in research. These scholarships can cover your expenses whether studying in the country or if you want to attain overseas education. 

List of PhD Scholarships in India & Application Timelines

From academic institutions to government ministries as well as organisations, there are a large number of PhD scholarships and research fellowships offered in India. Take a look at the following list which elucidates the varied Indian scholarships and fellowships for PhD programs in India.

PhD Scholarship	Organisation/Institution	Application Deadlines
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)	MHRD, Government of India	Between March and April
CSIR-UGC JRF Fellowship	Government of India	October
DBT-JRF Fellowship	Government of India	March
FITM – AYUSH Research Fellowships Scheme	Forum on Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM) and the Ministry of Ayush	Between November and December
SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarships	SAAR Agricultural Centre	Between March and April
Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship for Research in Social Science	UGC	Between November and January
ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship	ESSO- National Centre for Earth Science Studies	Open throughout the year
Vision India Foundation (VIF) Fellowship	Vision India Foundation (VIF)	Between December and January
Burning Questions Fellowship Awards	Tiny Beam Fund	Between May and June
Google PhD Scholarships	Google	Between March and April
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships	Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund	Ph.D. Scholarship
ICHR Junior Research Fellowships (JRF)	Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)	Between November and December

Note: The application deadlines for the different fellowships and scholarships mentioned above are only tentative and might change as per their specific organisation/institution.

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List of Top International PhD Scholarships & Application Timelines

Students looking for options to study abroad can avail of financial aid benefits through various scholarships for their research programs. Some of the scholarships are fully funded, covering all tuition, travel and living expenses while others are partially funded. Tabulated below is the list of top PhD scholarships in India which one can apply for to pursue higher education abroad: 

PhD Scholarship	Organisation/Institution	Application Timeline (Approx)
UNU IAS PhD Scholarship	Japan Foundation of UNU (JFUNU)	Between March and April
Dr Eduard Gubelin Research Scholarship	Dr Eduard Gübelin Association for Research	The last date to apply is June 30th
Sir Ratan Tata Trust & Navajbai Ratan TataTrust Education Grants	Tata Trusts	The last date to apply is May 31st
Commonwealth PhD Scholarships	Commonwealth Scholarship Commission	Between November and December
Raman-Charpak Fellowship	GOI and the Government of France	Between May and July
President’s PhD Scholarships	Imperial College London	Open throughout the year
Fulbright Kalam Climate Fellowship	USIEF	Between January and July
Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship	MEXT Japan	Between April and May
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships	Government of New Zealand	Between February and March
Korean Government Scholarship Program	Government of Korea	Between February and March
Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds PhD fellowship	Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds, Germany	Between May and June
MAXQDA Research Grants	VERBI Software GmbH	Between April and June
IGLP Residential Fellowship Program, Harvard Law School, USA	Institute of Global Law & Policy (IGLP), Harvard Law School	Between December and February
CBS PhD Scholarships at the Department of Operations Management	Department of Operations Management, Copenhagen Business School (CBS)	Between May and June
IITB-Monash Research Academy PhD Scholarships	IITB-Monash Research Academy	Between February and March
HDR Scholarship	Deakin University	Between April and May
Special Research Fun Doctoral Scholarships, Ghent University	Ghent University, Belgium	Between February and March
Cimi Toulouse Doctoral Fellowships	International Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science (CIMI), Toulouse, France	Between January and February
Fujian Normal University President Scholarship for Foreign Students	Fujian Normal University	Between May and June
Imperial College PhD Scholarship in Chemical Engineering	Imperial College London	Between March and April

Note: The application deadlines for the different fellowships and scholarships mentioned above are only tentative and might change as per their specific organisation/institution.

Now that you are familiarised with the wide range of PhD scholarships in India as well as abroad, let’s explore some of these scholarships and fellowships in further detail.

Prime Minister Fellowship for Doctoral Research

The Ministry of Human Resource Development under the supervision of the Central Government of India has launched a scholarship scheme to provide financial support to meritorious students going for a PhD. Offered to the candidates via IISc and IIT corridors, it is one of the prestigious PhD scholarships in India. Under the scheme, the scholar gets a monthly stipend of ₹70,000 for first-year which is increased to ₹80,000 per month during the 4th and 5th year of the program. The scholarship is offered every year and scholars from all universities in India can apply for the scheme through the official website. 

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Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

Another addition to the list of popular PhD scholarships in India is the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship. It is awarded to scholars who have registered themselves for a PhD at an Indian University. These fellowships spanning over 6-9 months are designed to help students advance their research in a vast range of fields like Sociology, Public Health, History, Machine Learning, etc. One of the popular scholarships for Indian students, it broadly covers the expenses related to a J-1 visa, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges, monthly stipend, round-trip economy class air travel, other allowances, and modest affiliation fees. To know about the eligibility criteria, visit the official website for the fellowship. The application deadline as per the official website is July 15, 2022, 23:59:59 hrs (IST). Tabulated below are the important dates for the fellowship:

Dates	Process
July 2024	Application due date for 2024 awards
Mid-August 2024	Review of applications
Late September 2024	Selected applicants informed by the USIEF
Early October 2024	Interviews of short-listed candidates (To be conducted in Delhi)
End October 2024	The principal and alternate nominees are notified by USIEF. Nominees take TOEFL
December 2024	The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) receives the applications of shortlisted candidates from USIEF for final approval
March/April 2024	USIEF notifies the finalists
May/June 2024	Pre-Departure Orientation
July/August 2024	Pre-academic training in the U.S. (if required)
August/September 2024	Program commences

Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships

Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship is another PhD scholarship offered to Indians as well as students of Asian countries. It provides selected candidates with maintenance fees including the tuition cost of their program worth 18,000 INR every month as well as contingent costs of books, stationery, etc. worth 15,000 INR every month. The eligibility for Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarships is as follows:

• Age limit: Not less than 35 years
• First-division postgraduate degree holder
• A minimum of 60% in undergraduate and postgraduate level
• Must have applied for a PhD program at a recognised university in India
• For full-time PhD programs

Physical Research Laboratory Junior Research Fellowship

Amongst the top PhD scholarships in India for postgraduates in the field of Physics and Astronomy, Physical Research Laboratory Junior Research Fellowship is offered in the following specialisations:

• Astronomy
• Astronomical Sciences
• Geosciences
• Planetary Sciences
• Optical Physics
• Solar Physics
• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Space and Atmospheric Sciences
• Astrochemistry
• Theoretical Physics

It is exclusively for PhD research at Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) and provides monthly awards of up to 35,000 INR. The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are as follows:

• For Indian nationals under the age of 28 years
• The candidate must have a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Engineering as well as a Master of Science/Master of Engineering degree
• First-division, i.e. 60% or equivalent in undergraduate as well as postgraduate degree.
• Must have qualified GATE or CSIR NET or Joint Entrance Screening Test

Google PhD Fellowship India Program

This fellowship program is offered by Google for aspiring PhD scholars in Computer Science or related specializations. The Google Ph.D. Fellowship India Program provides a monthly fellowship amount as well as covers the contingency expenses along with giving an internship offer at Google. The requirements for this Google Scholarship for PhD in India are:

• The candidate must be enrolled in a PhD course at a recognised university in India.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree holder from a university in India
• A working professional at a recognised organisation in India

ICHR Junior Research Fellowships (JRF)

ICHR Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) are for PhD aspirants of Historical Studies and are offered by the Indian Council of Historical Research. It offers a monthly stipend of up to 17,600 INR as well as monthly contingency expenses of 16,500 p.a. for 2 years. The only eligibility requirement for this scholarship is that the applicant must be enrolled in a PhD in Historical Studies at a recognized higher education institution in India.

ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship

The Council of Social Science Research of MHRD, Government of India offers doctoral fellowships in Social Sciences to PhD scholars who are registered in a UGC-recognized Indian university. A great opportunity for scholars looking for PhD scholarships in India, it is strictly applicable for two years and the value of the fellowship is ₹20,000 per month. Offered in around 25 subjects of Social Sciences that include Political Science, Social Work, Gender Studies, Public Administration, etc, to be eligible for the fellowship, a candidate must have confirmed PhD registration at a recognized university. The application process for the 2019-20 session has already been closed but you should be prepared for the 2021-22 session to avail the benefits. 

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Maulana Azad National Fellowship

The fellowship is provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs of the Government of India. The objective of the fellowship is to provide students from minority communities with financial assistance to pursue higher education such as MPhil and PhD. The Maulana Azad National fellowship can be availed by taking admission to any of the recognized universities in the country. One of the lesser-known PhD scholarships in India, it is awarded to those candidates whose family income is not more than 6 Lakh. Under the scheme, the scholar gets ₹28,000 per month for 5 years. Candidates can apply for the fellowship on the official website of UGC.

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NCERT Doctoral Fellowship for PhD

The fellowship is intended to enable young scholars to excel in research in their subject of interest. The candidates who show exceptional aptitude for research are shortlisted for the fellowship. It can be availed by taking admission to a recognized university in India. The NET-qualified NCERT Doctoral Fellows will receive ₹25,000 per month for a maximum period of three years from the date of registration into a PhD program. For the candidates who have not qualified for the NET exam, the amount is ₹23,000 per month. 

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CSIR-UGC JRF NET Fellowship

This is a fully-funded PhD scholarship offered by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) for the field of Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Life Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean & Planetary Science, and Chemical Sciences, amongst others.

Must Read: CSIR NET Exam

DBT-JRF Fellowship

Another prominent scholarship for those planning to pursue their PhD in India, the DBT-JRF Fellowship is offered by the Government of India for Biotechnology scholars. Students need to clear the Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) to get selected for this scholarship. The registration window for the BET exam opens around February every year and the exam is conducted around April. It is one of the sought-after PhD scholarships in India amongst Biotechnology students and offers a fellowship amount of ₹25,000 + HRA to JRF students and ₹28,000 + HRA to SRF students.

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FITM – AYUSH Research Fellowships Scheme

It was launched to promote higher education in the aforementioned areas. The scheme is awarded in two categories Doctoral Fellowships and postdoctoral fellowships for ages 28 – 35. The scheme duration for the doctoral fellowships is two years and for postdoctoral fellowships is for one year. The requirements for the FITM – AYUSH Research Fellowships Scheme is as follows:

1. Full-time scholar in any UGC-recognized institution
2. Educational backgrounds in any of AYUSH disciplines
3. Additional qualifications in IT will be preferred.

SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarships

This scholarship is ideal for students aspiring to pursue a PhD in Animal Nutrition or Fish Nutrition and feed technology. The scholarship is for 3 years and full-time education only. The scholarship will cover the economic fare, tuition fees, living allowance, expense of books, study materials, thesis preparation, etc. The requirements for the SAARC Agricultural PhD Scholarship are as follows:

1. Applicant should be a citizen of Bhutan/ India/ Maldives/ Pakistan/ Sri Lanka
2.  Employed at National Agricultural Research System/ Ministry/ Department.
3. Below the age of 40 years.
4. Pursuing a full-time PhD for three years

Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship for Research in Social Science

The scholarship was launched to encourage the education of single girl children and to provide financial aid. The scholarship is available to single girl children pursuing a PhD in Social Sciences. The twin sisters are also eligible for the scholarship. The requirements for Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship for Research in Social Science are as follows:

1. Single girl child pursuing PhD in social sciences
2. Full-time PhD from UGC-approved institutions.
3. The age should be below 40 years and the reserved category should be below 45 years.
4. Transgender applicants are also eligible.

ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship

Students aspiring to pursue a PhD in areas of earth system sciences are eligible for this fellowship. Earth system science includes courses in:

• Igneous Petrology
• Metamorphic Petrology
• Sedimentology
• Paleomagnetism
• Fluid inclusions
• Geomorphology
• Quaternary Geology
• Paleoclimate
• Geochemistry
• Tectonic Geomorphology
• Isotope Geology
• Hydrogeology
• Coastal Processes
• Oceanography
• Remote sensing
• Natural Hazards and Cloud Microphysics

The requirements for ESSO-NCESS Junior Research Fellowship are as follows:

1. M.Sc./M.Tech. Degree in Earth System Sciences or a related field
2. CSIR-UGC NET qualification for JRF
3. Age should not be more than 28 years
4. Full-time PhD in earth science for 3 years

MHRD PhD Scholarships

MHRD stands for Ministry of Human Resource Development. There are also various PhD scholarships which are offered for the MHRD course. The basic eligibility criteria for MHRD PhD scholarships is that – the candidates need to be ongoing PhD students and can apply for the country only if he or she is from the ASEAN countries.

PhD Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
MHRD PhD Fellowships for ASEAN Students 2023	PhD applicants from the ASEAN countries are eligible to apply.	INR 35,000
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)	Candidate must complete MTech and apply for PhD	INR 70,000 for the first 2 years INR 75,000 in the third year INR 80,000 in the Fourth Year
ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship	Must have a master’s degree from a recognised university with first class or second class and registered for a doctoral degree in social science	INR 20,000 per month

Application Process of PhD Scholarships in India 

There are various scholarships available for students interested in pursuing PhD from India and abroad. Now, you must be wondering how can I apply for these scholarships. Here is a stepwise application process:

1. Visit the official Website. Most of the scholarships have their website or you can apply at the UGC scholarship website.
2. Click on the scholarship scheme you want to apply for.
3. Check the eligibility criteria before applying. Every scholarship scheme has different eligibility criteria, it is advisable to check the eligibility before applying.
4. Submit the application form with the required documents.
5. Submit the thesis or research proposal.
6. Some scholarship schemes will call applicants for personal interview rounds as well by the selection committee.
7. Applicants selected for the grant will be contacted or they can track their progress through their application portal as well.

Cancellation of PhD Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded to students with excellent academic backgrounds with the talent and potential to perform better. Sometimes the scholarship grant that has been provided or approved can be cancelled by the official authority in some cases. If an applicant is unable to perform well or in case fails in a subject of MPhil or PhD the award can be cancelled. Another case is if an applicant is found ineligible later. If an applicant is found ineligible in any scenario his/her scholarship will be cancelled. Lastly, scholarships are not just awarded based on academic scores, applicants must hold good character and ideal behaviour. In any case, if applicants are found misconducting in the organization, his/her scholarship might be cancelled.

FAQs

Want to know more? Check out our exclusive guide on the Top PhD Scholarships in the World!

Availing PhD scholarships in India will ensure that financial constraints don’t come your way while you excel in research in the area of your interest. To know more about the scholarships and to get help with your admissions to top universities abroad, reach out to our career experts at Leverage Edu in a 30-minute free career counselling session and take a step forward towards a rewarding career! Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.