PM Research Fellowship (PhD) 2026: eligibility, amount, selection and how to apply
Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF), given by Ministry of Education. Monthly fellowship plus a research grant.
PMRF official websiteCheck if you can apply
Who can apply for PM Research Fellowship (PhD)
You can apply if
- Direct entry, any one of these in the last three years, plus selection to the PhD programme at a PMRF granting institute:
- Final year or completed 4 or 5-year undergraduate, 5-year integrated M.Tech., or 2-year M.Sc. in science and technology at IISc, IITs, NITs, IISERs, IIEST or centrally funded IIITs, with CGPA 8.0 or more, or
- The same degrees from any other recognised institute with CGPA 8.0 or more and a GATE score of 650 or more, a UGC/CSIR JRF rank within 100, or an NBHM fellowship, or
- GATE-qualified and in or done M.Tech./MS by research at a granting institute with CGPA 8.0 or more after at least four courses
- Lateral entry: already in a PhD at a granting institute, CGPA 8.5 or more after at least four full courses, applying within 12 months of joining (24 months for direct PhD)
Not eligible
- Scholars who upgraded from M.S. or M.Tech. to PhD cannot use direct entry
- Lateral entry can be tried at most twice
Check if you can apply
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Answer the questions to see if you meet the published conditions.
JanWatchdog does not give a percentage chance: the scholarship does not publish one. Meeting every rule makes you eligible to apply; selection then depends on the steps below.
What PM Research Fellowship (PhD) pays
Monthly fellowship plus a research grant. Rs 70,000 a month in years 1 and 2, Rs 75,000 in year 3 and Rs 80,000 in years 4 and 5, plus a research grant of Rs 2 lakh a year.
What it covers
- Monthly fellowship (Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000)
- Research grant: Rs 2 lakh a year, which can be carried forward
How PM Research Fellowship (PhD) selection works
- Two selection cycles a year, called the May cycle and the December cycle
- Granting institutes are expected to call for nominations around July or August (May cycle) and January or February (December cycle)
How to apply for PM Research Fellowship (PhD), step by step
- Get selected to the PhD programme of a PMRF granting institute.
- Apply when your institute calls for PMRF nominations, with your official grade sheet and GATE scorecard if relevant.
- Follow the current call on pmrf.in for the forms and dates.
Documents to keep ready
- Official grade sheet or transcript
- GATE scorecard, JRF rank or NBHM proof, if relevant
- PhD admission at a granting institute
Keeping the scholarship every year
- Annual review of progress under the PMRF guidelines
Letter of recommendation
The official documents checked for this guide do not say whether letters of recommendation are needed. Read the current call on the official website.
Sources
Everything on this page comes from these documents and pages. Checked 18 Oct 2026.
- Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (Ministry of Education): PMRF overall guideline document (27 July 2026)
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