All about ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship
The ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship is one of India’s most prestigious and supportive programs available to PhD students in the fields of social sciences. Sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), under the Ministry of Education, this fellowship provides funding and a research context for early-career researchers to undertake socially relevant, India-focused research.
This fellowship is specifically aimed at full-time doctoral candidates enrolled in disciplines such as political science/administration, economics, sociology, anthropology, gender studies, environmental studies, and other social science fields. Regardless of whether your research investigates development, policy, history or culture, ICSSR provides the platform and the support to conduct thorough social science research and contribute to national academic conversations.
Let us take a closer look at what this fellowship entails, who can apply, and how you can begin your journey as an ICSSR Doctoral Fellow.
- What is the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship?
- Objectives of the ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship
- Eligibility Criteria
- Benefits & Financial Support
- How to Apply for the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship?
- Selection Process: for ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship
- Importance of the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship
- ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship?
The ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship is a scholarship scheme at the national level for full-time PhD scholars in the social sciences, under the auspices of the Indian Council of Social Science Research, an autonomous body of the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The goal of the fellowship is to allow scholars to undertake original research across disparate disciplinary boundaries in a policy-relevant manner, in universities, deemed universities, institutions of national importance, and ICSSR’s affiliated research institutes across the country, and to support evidence-based scholarship addressing pressing socio-cultural-developmental-political challenges facing the society in which we live.
The fellowship with its generous stipend and contingency grant removes the financial burden for researchers and enables them to fully concentrate on their academic outcomes for a maximum duration of two years.
Objectives of the ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship
The fellowship from ICSSR places a great deal of importance on supporting stand-alone research that has a social impact on Indian society, and it has four functions:
- To promote good quality and original doctoral research on topics within the ambit of the social sciences.
- To aid early career researchers as they negotiate the complex landscape of the work/scholarship balance with funds for living and research opportunities.
- To promote and support academic research in gathering evidence, or drawing on one’s experience of developmental, cultural and political circumstances.
- To boost the collective of social scientists in India and offer opportunities to build a collaborative research ecology.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship 2025-26, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Eligibility
Must be a registered PhD scholar in the social science field in a:
- UGC recognized Indian university
- Deemed university
- Institutions of national importance
- Research Institute of ICSSR
Minimum marks required:
- 55% at the post-graduation level
- 50% at the graduation level
- 5% relaxation for SC/ST categories
Age limit is:
- Maximum 40 years
- 5 years relaxation for reserve categories (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD)
Such candidates should not already be receiving any major fellowship for doctoral studies (e.g. UGC JRF, CSIR, ICHR, etc.)
Financial Support & Benefits
The fellowship will cover:
- stipend of ₹20,000 per month for two years
- contingency grant of ₹15,000 per year to cover the following:
Fieldwork-related expenses:
- Data collection
- Book and journal purchases
- Travel and related research costs
This level of support enables fellows to work in an environment free of financial worry, while also gaining exposure and experience in the field of academic research.
How to Apply for the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship?
The ICSSR application process involves both online and offline components:
1. During the application period, access the official portal (app.icssr.org) and fill out the online application form.
2. Print out and sign the completed application form.
3. Compile all required documents and send the hard copy to
The Deputy Director (Research)
RFD Division, ICSSR
JNU Institutional Area,
New Delhi – 110067
Hard copies of the application must reach the ICSSR office on or before the deadline indicated in the official notification.
Documents Required
Before submitting your application, please ensure that the following documents are completed and formatted properly:
- Proof of confirmed PhD registration and approval from the RDC (Research Degree Committee)
- Mark sheets and certificates for your postgraduate and undergraduate courses
- A comprehensive research proposal (approximately 3,000 words)
- An abstract or summary (approximately 300 words)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) if applicable
- NET/SLET/MPhil certificate (optional, but adds value)
- Forwarding letter from supervisor and other endorsement from the institution
- Signed printout of (2 above) online application form with checklist annexure
You are expected to submit all documents in both digital and hard copy as specified in the guidelines sent to you by each researcher, etc, after your acceptance into the ICSSR.
Selection Process
The process of selecting researchers for the ICSSR fellowship is multi-step and very competitive.
- The ICSSR Secretariat checks eligibility and completeness for eligibility criteria.
- Research proposals are reviewed by subject-specific expert committees and assessed along with candidates’ academic profiles.
- Short-listed candidates may be invited for interviews or presentations
- Final approval is made by the Research Committee/Council of ICSSR.
As ICSSR awards only a few fellowships each year, outstanding proposals and candidates are selected based on originality/creativity, feasibility, and social relevance.
Importance of the ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship
Fundamentally, the ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship goes beyond funding; it is a catalyst for India’s social science research landscape. It enables scholars to devote undivided intellectual space unencumbered by financial constraints. It fosters scholarship that is original and socially relevant. It also enables academic inquiry into issues that matter, such as poverty, gender, environment, inequality, governance, and public policy.
While it serves to advance the academic profile of the fellows, the fellowship also helps strengthen India’s capacity to carry out interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research. Many of the ICSSR fellows later publish, collaborate internationally, and contribute to teaching and policy-making in an impactful way in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. If I already have a doctoral fellowship, can I apply?
Ans. No- If you already hold a doctoral fellowship like UGC-JRF, CSIR, ICHR, or ICSSR, you are not eligible to apply for another one under this scheme.
Q2. Is NET / SLET compulsory to apply?
Ans. No – however, if you have NET / SLET or an M.Phil., this will enhance your chances during the evaluation process.
Q3. What is the fellowship period?
Ans. Strictly two years with an extremely limited possibility of extension on exceptional grounds.
Q4. Can I take on part-time work or employment whilst on the fellowship?
Ans. No – the fellowship is full-time. You may be permitted to carry out limited academic duties (e.g. tutorials) with permission.
Q5. What reporting do the selected fellows need to submit?
Ans. The selected fellows are required to submit six-monthly progress reports, publish two research papers and provide evidence of complying with ICSSR research guidelines and ethics.
Conclusion
The ICSSR Doctoral Research Fellowship is more than just a scholarship; it’s a vehicle for committed researchers in social science to have a meaningful impact through thoughtful scholarship that is well-supported. Its clarity of structure, monetary benefits, and national visibility allow scholars to make visible issues that create the Indian experience while still supporting the academic careers of scientists.
If you are passionate about research in social science and want to engage with the complexities of India’s development, society, and governance through sustained research, then ICSSR could be the academic partner for you.
For more information, visit: icssr.org
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