What is PM Research Fellowship?
PM Research Fellowship (PMRF) is a prestigious scholarship scheme launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Education to attract the best Bachelor's/Master's students into PhD programmes at IITs, IISc, IISERs, NITs, and other premier research institutions. Fellowship amount: ₹70,000/month for all 5 years (revised from the earlier ₹31,000-70,000 slab structure). Research grant of ₹2 lakh per year for first 2 years, ₹2 lakh for 3rd year, ₹2 lakh for 4th and 5th year — total ₹10 lakh over 5 years. Selection is through direct admission or lateral entry from premier IITs/IISc/IISERs. Three channels: (1) Direct Admission from 4-year BS/B.Tech final year at premier institutes; (2) Lateral Entry from 2nd year of ongoing PhD; (3) Supernumerary seats for other students through national test. Target: 3,000 new fellows per year across Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Currently 4,000+ active PMRF fellows.
PM Research Fellowship — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | PM Research Fellowship (PMRF) 2026 — ₹70,000/Month + ₹2L Research Grant for IIT/IISc PhD |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2018 |
| Benefit | ₹70,000/month fellowship for 5 years + ₹2 lakh/year research grant = up to ₹52 lakh total package |
| Category | Education |
| Last Verified | 16 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://www.pmrf.in |
पीएम रिसर्च फेलोशिप (PMRF) IIT/IISc/IISER जैसे प्रमुख संस्थानों में PhD करने वाले छात्रों को ₹70,000/महीना फेलोशिप और ₹2 लाख/वर्ष रिसर्च ग्रांट देती है। कुल 5 साल की PhD के दौरान ₹42 लाख फेलोशिप + ₹10 लाख रिसर्च ग्रांट = ₹52 लाख का पैकेज। तीन चैनल: Direct Admission, Lateral Entry, और Open Channel। STEM विषयों में शोध के लिए भारत सरकार की सबसे बड़ी फेलोशिप।
₹70,000/माह फेलोशिप + ₹2 लाख/वर्ष रिसर्च ग्रांट — कुल ₹52 लाख 5 वर्षों में
Benefits of PM Research Fellowship
₹70,000/month fellowship for 5 years + ₹2 lakh/year research grant = up to ₹52 lakh total package
Who is Eligible for PM Research Fellowship?
- ✓Direct Channel: Final year or recently graduated B.Tech/BS (4-year) from IITs, IISc, IISERs, NITs with CGPA ≥ 8.0
- ✓Lateral Entry: Students in 1st or 2nd year of PhD at premier institutes
- ✓Open Category: Final year B.Tech/BE/BS/Integrated M.Tech/M.Sc from any NIRF top-25 institute with CGPA ≥ 8.0 + valid GATE/NET score
- ✓Must be pursuing or planning to pursue full-time PhD in STEM at IITs/IISc/IISERs/NITs
- ✓Indian citizen
- ✓No age limit specified
Documents Required for PM Research Fellowship
How to Apply for PM Research Fellowship Online?
- 1Apply through pmrf.in under one of three channels: Direct Admission, Lateral Entry, or Open Category via GATE/NET.
- 2For Direct Admission, apply in your final B.Tech/BS year at IITs, IISc, IISERs, or NITs with CGPA 8.0 or above.
- 3For Lateral Entry, apply while already in the 1st or 2nd year of a PhD at a premier institute.
- 4For Open Category, submit a valid GATE/NET scorecard along with your application from an NIRF top-25 institute.
- 5Upload academic transcripts, CGPA certificate, a 2-3 page research proposal, and faculty recommendation letters on the portal.
- 6Provide Aadhaar and bank account details on the portal for disbursal of the ₹70,000/month fellowship if selected.
- 7On selection, confirm PhD admission/enrolment at the host IIT/IISc/IISER to start receiving the fellowship and research grant.
Official Government Portal
Applications go through www.pmrf.in only. Applying is free of charge — no agent, middleman or "consultant" is ever required.
🔗Apply on www.pmrf.in