- PMRF supports eligible PhD students in science, engineering and technology.
- Direct Entry generally requires a minimum CGPA/CPI of 8.0 under specified routes.
- Lateral Entry generally requires a minimum CGPA of 8.5 after four eligible full-semester courses.
- Eligible applicants from recognised Indian institutions and foreign universities may qualify under specified conditions.
- Applicants can apply once through Direct Entry and up to twice through Lateral Entry.
- For Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme Queries – National Coordinating Institute, IIT Madras
- Phone: 044-2257 8079
- Email: pmrfsupport@smail.iitm.ac.in
- Finance-related queries: pmrfsupport-finance@smail.iitm.ac.in
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Summary of the Scheme
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| Name of Scheme | Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme |
| Launch Year | 2018 |
| Benefits | Monthly fellowship of ₹70,000–₹80,000 and research grant of ₹2 lakh per year |
| Beneficiary | Eligible PhD scholars in science and engineering at PMRF granting institutions |
| Nodal Agency | Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Through nomination by the PhD institution; direct public applications are not accepted |
Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme
Advanced research needs years of study, good facilities, and steady funding, and many talented students look abroad for it. The Prime Minister’s Research Fellows (PMRF) Scheme, announced by the Government of India in 2018, supports high-potential PhD scholars in science, engineering, and technology so they can pursue cutting-edge research in India. It is administered by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
Key Benefits
| PhD year | Monthly fellowship | Annual amount |
|---|---|---|
| First and second year | ₹70,000 | ₹8,40,000 |
| Third year | ₹75,000 | ₹9,00,000 |
| Fourth and fifth year | ₹80,000 | ₹9,60,000 |
- Research grant of ₹2 lakh per year, for approved expenses such as academic contingency costs and travel to national or international conferences
- Support for up to five years, depending on the qualifying degree and scheme rules. Over a full five-year tenure, that is ₹45 lakh in fellowship and ₹10 lakh in grants, about ₹55 lakh in total
- Research at premier institutions such as IITs and IISc
- Annual research reviews with expert feedback, plus prescribed teaching assistance duties
Scholars with a shorter tenure, including some integrated-course and Lateral Entry candidates, receive support according to their applicable tenure.
Who Can Apply?
You must be admitted to a PhD in science, engineering, or technology at a designated PMRF granting institution. Humanities and social sciences are not covered. There are two routes.
| Direct Entry | Lateral Entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Candidates admitted to a PhD who meet the entry conditions | Scholars already pursuing a PhD at a granting institution |
| Academic requirement | Generally a minimum CGPA/CPI of 8.0 out of 10 | Generally a minimum CGPA of 8.5 after four eligible full-semester courses |
| Attempts | One | Up to two |
| Timing | Qualifying degree generally within the last three years | Apply within 12 months of joining after a master’s, or 24 months after a bachelor’s |
Direct Entry routes include:
- Graduates of eligible four- or five-year undergraduate, integrated M.Tech, M.Sc, or dual-degree programmes from specified institutions, with CGPA 8.0 or above
- Candidates from other recognised Indian institutions or foreign universities with the required CGPA, plus one of: a GATE score of 650 or above, a UGC/CSIR JRF rank of 100 or better, or an NBHM fellowship
- GATE-qualified M.Tech or MS by Research students at a granting institution with CGPA/CPI of 8.0 and four completed eligible courses
Students who convert from a master’s to a PhD, or complete their master’s within an integrated master’s-PhD programme, cannot use Direct Entry but may be eligible for Lateral Entry.
Meeting these criteria does not guarantee selection.
Participating Institutions
These include the IITs (such as Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, and Roorkee), the IISERs, IISc Bengaluru, NIT Tiruchirappalli, and universities such as AMU, BHU, Jamia Millia Islamia, JNU, University of Delhi, and University of Hyderabad. The list can change, so confirm it on the official PMRF granting institutions page.
Documents You May Need
After nomination, follow the portal’s instructions for your entry route. These commonly include:
- Grade sheets or transcripts, and degree or provisional certificate
- GATE scorecard, or proof of JRF rank or NBHM fellowship, if applicable
- Updated CV and a research proposal or statement of purpose
- Research projects, internships, and publications
- Names and contact details of referees
- PhD admission and institute nomination details
How to Apply
You cannot apply directly. Applications go through nomination by your PhD institution.
- Check your eligibility under the latest guidelines.
- Secure PhD admission at a PMRF granting institution.
- Contact your institute’s PMRF coordinator about the nomination cycle, internal screening, and deadlines.
- Get nominated by your institute.
- Complete the detailed online application with your academic records, research experience, and proposal.
- Provide referee details, and tell your referees in advance so they meet the deadline.
- Wait for evaluation. An expert panel evaluates nominated candidates, and the National Coordination Committee makes the final selection based on rankings and the seats available.
Dates
There is no single public deadline for new applications. The dates listed in the source (the annual review window of 8 to 14 May 2026, with results on 27 July 2026) are for existing fellows’ progress reviews, not new applications. As of 23 October 2026, no confirmed general deadline for the next cycle was found. Check with your institute’s coordinator and the PMRF announcements page.
Contact
PMRF National Coordinating Institute, IIT Madras
Phone: 044-2257 8079
Email: pmrfsupport@smail.iitm.ac.in
Finance queries: pmrfsupport-finance@smail.iitm.ac.in