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Education & Learning

ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) offers Doctoral Fellowships to support full-time Ph.D. scholars engaged in high-quality research in the field of social and human sciences. These fellowships are awarded to Indian research scholars registered in Ph.D. programs at UGC-recognized u

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

1) Monthly Fellowship amount @ Rs.20,000 per month | 2) Contingency Grant @ Rs.20,000 per annum

Who can apply

1) Applicant must be an Indian citizen. | 2) Must be a full-time bonafide Ph.D. scholar in a social science discipline in a UGC-recognized university, deemed-to-be university, institute of national importance, ICSSR Research Institute, or college with approved Ph.D. programme. | 3) The Ph.D. topic must have been confirmed by the DRC/authorised statutory body of the institution on or before the last date of call for applications. | 4) Age must be below 40 years as on the last date of application. | 5) Age relaxation of 5 years allowed for SC/ST/OBC-(NCL) candidates and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwD). | 6) Must have secured a minimum of 55% marks in post-graduation, with 5% relaxation for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC-(NCL)/PwD).

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the monthly fellowship amount?

₹ 20,000 per month.

What is the annual contingency amount

₹ 20,000 per annum.

What is the contingency grant used for?

Research-related expenses like books, fieldwork, computer consumables, and stationery.

Do I need to have publications?

Yes, fellows are expected to publish at least two papers in peer-reviewed journals.

How is the fellowship amount disbursed?

The amount is disbursed in instalments through the affiliating institution upon submission of the required reports and statement of accounts.

Can I apply if I am over 40?

Only if you qualify for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwD categories - age relaxation (up to 5 years).

Is it mandatory to have PhD topic confirmed by DRC before applying?

Yes.

What are the minimum passing marks in Post-Graduation?

The candidate must have secured a minimum of 55% marks in Post-Graduation (5 % grace for candidates from SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PwD categories).

Can I have any other job or project during the fellowship?

No, full-time research is mandatory.

Are candidates doing research in ICSSR identified priority areas given preference?

Yes.

Where can I apply for the fellowship?

Through the ICSSR website after the call is announced.

What language can I use for the proposal?

English or Hindi (Unicode).

Can I submit multiple applications under this scheme?

No, only one application is allowed per call.

What documents are required after selection?

All the documents mentioned in the call or as communicated via phone or email.

Can I submit documents issued after last date of applications?

No