Govt raises research grants for PhD scholars

New Delhi, January 30

The government today announced a raise in research fellowship grants that will benefit around 60,000 PhD scholars working in science and technology. New rates will apply from January 1.

The fellowship fund enhancements will cover PhD students and research personnel enrolled in any area of science and technology, including physical and chemical sciences, engineering, mathematical sciences, agricultural sciences, life sciences and pharmacy.

Sources said they hoped the raise in fellowship will provide a template to states to consider increase in their fellowship rates also. Junior Research Fellows will now get Rs31,000 a month in the first two years of the PhD programme instead of the current Rs25,000 a month.

In the remaining tenure of PhD, Senior Research Fellows will get Rs35,000 a month instead of the present Rs28,000. “There is also 30-35% enhancement in the financial rewards for the scientists involved in the research and development projects as research associates,” a source said.

The top bracket of Research associate-ship has been fixed at Rs54,000, a government note said adding that all research fellows will be entitled to house rent allowance as per Central Government norms.

The government has further recommended a set of strong financial and academic incentives to recognise the performance of research fellows. The recommendation involves a performance-based addition to the existing fellowship. — TNS