Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) 2021: Check Updated Eligibility, Application Process, Dates, Selection Procedure Here

The Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) scheme aims to attract the country's talent pool to doctoral programmes at Indian Institutes of Science (IISc), Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISERs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Central Universities for conducting cutting-edge science and technology research.

If you want to pursue PhD studies in the field of science and technology, PMRF is a great way to get started at reputable Indian institutions. The fellowship is provided by the Government of India's Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

According to the Ministry's most recent announcement, the eligibility requirements for the fellowship have been modified. Students can apply for the fellowship through two channels beginning in 2020-21: Direct Entry Channel and Lateral Entry Channel

Who qualifies for the PMRF? How does a student apply for the PMRF? What is the procedure for selecting candidates? What kind of financial aid does a student receive under this programme? In this article, you will find detailed answers to all of these questions. It highlights all important and relevant information about the PMRF, such as eligibility, application and selection processes, abstract submission, and much more.

PMRF 2021: Important Dates

PMRF 2021 Application Process

With the advancement of technology, everything is now available online, including the PMRF application process. This fellowship will be applied for through the respective PMRF granting institutes. Candidates must apply for a PhD programme at one of the granting institutions, either directly or through a lateral entry channel, and the institutions must make a strong recommendation on the PMRF web-portal. How do you go about applying for the fellowship? What steps must be taken to ensure a successful application? Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the PMRF application process:

Step 1: Before applying, go to the official website and carefully read the instructions.
Step 2: Apply to one of the PMRF-granting institutes for a regular PhD programme (either through direct entry or lateral entry).
Step 3: In the case of direct entry, if the candidates are chosen, the institute will nominate them for the fellowship. Candidates for lateral entry, on the other hand, will be nominated by the institute where they are pursuing their PhD.
Note: Please keep in mind that the institutes make recommendations on behalf of the candidates and upload all relevant information to the PMRF web portal.

PMRF 2021: Updated Eligibility Criteria 

The eligibility criteria for the fellowship have been changed beginning with the academic year 2020-21. Candidates can now apply for the fellowship through two channels, according to the new guidelines: Direct Entry Channel and Lateral Entry Channel.

PMRF Eligibility: Direct Entry Channel

To apply for the PMRF through the Direct Entry Channel, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• They must be in the final year of a Bachelor's, Master's, or dual degree programme in Science and Technology from IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIEST with a CGPA/CPI of 8.0 or higher on a 10-point scale, OR
• They must be pursuing or have completed the final year of a Bachelor's, Master's, or dual degree in Science and Technology streams from any other recognised Indian university/institution (not covered in the preceding point) with a CGPA of 8.0 or equivalent and a minimum GATE score of 650, OR
• Students must have qualified for GATE and be pursuing or have completed an M.Tech./MS by Research at one of the PMRF Granting Institutes with a CGPA or CPI of 8.0 (on a 10-point scale) or higher at the end of the first semester with a minimum of four courses.
• They must apply for and be accepted into a PhD programme at one of the PMRF-granting institutes.

PMRF Eligibility: Lateral Entry Channel

The applicants are required to adhere to the following eligibility conditions to apply for the PMRF through Lateral Entry Channel.

• They must be pursuing a PhD at one of the PMRF-granting institutions.
• Students who have combined a PhD programme with a master's programme should have completed at least 12 months of the PhD programme.
• Students who entered the PhD programme with a bachelor's degree should have completed at least 24 months of the PhD programme.
• They must have completed at least four courses in the PhD programme (each of which must be a full-semester course) with a CGPA of 8.5 or higher on a 10-point scale.
• A candidate may be considered for the fellowship only twice through the lateral entry channel.

PMRF 2021: Scholarship and Host Institutions

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and are ultimately selected through the specified selection process will be offered admission to one of the IISc/IISERs/IITs/NITs/Central Universities' PhD programmes. In addition, the PMRF provides appropriate financial assistance to students, including a fellowship of INR 70,000 per month for the first two years, INR 75,000 per month for the third year, and INR 80,000 per month for the fourth and fifth years. The performance of Prime Minister's Research Fellowship holders will be rigorously evaluated, and continuation of the fellowship for the following year will be contingent on successful assessment.

Students who are selected for the PMRF will be awarded a fellowship in the following ways:

PMRF Year-Wise Fellowship Disbursement Details

The chosen fellows will also receive a research grant of INR 2 lakh per year (total amount of INR 10 lakh). The fellowship lasts four years for integrated course students and five years for B. Tech students. However, for students chosen through the lateral entry channel, the fellowship and its obligations will last only for the duration of the remaining doctoral programme. Industry participation in the PMRF programme would be investigated using CSR funding in order for the industry to sponsor the greatest number of fellows possible. The following are some key details about the programme:

• Admission will be granted under the PMRF in 19 broad disciplines.
• One IIT or IISc will coordinate the admission process for each broad discipline and will be known as the Nodal Institute for that broad discipline.

PMRF Accepted Disciplines 

• Aerospace Engineering
• Agriculture and Food Engineering
• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Engineering Design
• Interdisciplinary Programs in Science and Engineering
• Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mining, Mineral, Coal and Energy Sector
• Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture
• Textile Engineering
• Physics

PMRF 2021 List of Host Institutions

The following host institutions will host the candidates for the PhD program:

• IISc Bangalore
• All IITs
• All IISERs
• National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli
• Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
• University of Hyderabad
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
• Jamia Millia Islamia
• Delhi University (DU)

PMRF 2021 Documents Required

While applying for a PhD programme at one of the PMRF granting institutes, the candidates may have to attach the following documents:

• Passport size photograph
• Scanned copy of mark sheets/grade sheets/transcripts
• Scanned copy of GATE qualifying certificate
• Abstract copy (max 1,000 words in a PDF file)
• CV limited to two A4 pages and submitted only in pdf format. The CV should emphasize only academic achievements and skills, e.g. ranks, merit certificates, internships, publications, research-related software skills, etc.

PMRF 2021 Selection Process

The selection process has been slightly altered as a result of the change in eligibility criteria. From 2020-21, candidates will be chosen through two channels: Direct Entry Channel and Lateral Entry Channel. The granting institution where the candidate has been admitted will strongly recommend candidates under the direct entry channel, taking into account their merit. The following factors will be considered in making the final decision:

• Research exposure
• Publications
• Performance in international academic competitions
• Grades
• Recommendation letters

Furthermore, under the lateral entry channel, the granting institution where the candidate has been admitted will strongly recommend the candidates based on merit demonstrated during the first 12-24 months (as applicable) of the programme. The following criteria will be used to make the final decision:

• Strength of the research proposal
• Publications record
• Grades

Note: Due preference will be given to candidates with publications in reputed journals/conferences.

PMRF 2021 Terms and Conditions

• At the time of joining, each fellow will be assigned deliverables to complete each year. The deliverables will be determined by the assigned guide and the department in which the fellow will be working.
• Fellows must submit to an annual review in order to keep their fellowship. The fellowship will be extended if their performance is deemed satisfactory by the review committee.
• The review process is rigorous, and it can thus be carried out in the form of a national convention (for each discipline).
• Each fellow is expected to teach once a week in a nearby Polytechnic/ITI/Engineering College in accordance with the modalities approved by the government.
• If the fellows fail to meet the deliverables, the fellowship may be reduced to an institutional level or even terminated.