NCERT Doctoral Fellowship for PhD Scholars
NCERT Doctoral Fellowship for PhD scholars—objectives, eligibility criteria, financial support, FAQs and step-by-step application process.
The NCERT Doctoral Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for early-stage researchers in education to undertake relevant, India-centred research, in response to the national landscape in education. As offered by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi, the fellowship also has its roots in a genuine desire to support full-time PhD students who wish to research areas of focus that intersect with school systems, pedagogical practices, curriculum, teacher education, and educational psychology.
The fellowship not only provides a much-needed financial lifeline but also allows recipients to engage in India’s most urgently felt educational challenges, which are similarly recognised through national priorities, including the National Education Policy (NEP) and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).
So, what does the fellowship entail? Who may apply? What is the format of the fellowship, and what does it mean for the education researcher? Lets check out the details-
- What is the NCERT Doctoral Fellowship?
- Objectives of the Fellowship
- Eligibility Criteria and Financial Benefits
- How to Apply for the NCERT Doctoral Fellowship
- Selection Process for Fellowship
- Importance of the Fellowship
- FAQs
What is the NCERT Doctoral Fellowship?
The NCERT Doctoral Fellowship is a prestigious scholarship program established by NCERT, India’s national apex body for school education. The fellowship is for full-time PhD students undertaking education research at Indian universities or the NCERT Regional Institutes of Education (RIE) in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, and Mysore.
The fellowship actively promotes research in important areas of work and research, including teaching methods, educational assessment schedules, curriculum design, inclusive education, and drug psychosocial development of children. Wherever possible, NCERT officials and students who are accepted under the scheme are expected to make contributions to seminars conducted by NCERT and curriculum preparation, along with outreach activities in education.
Fellowships are for a maximum period of three years from the start date of the applicant’s permanent PhD registration or acceptance under a scheme, and they will receive a regular period-based stipend based on their NET qualification.
Objectives of the Fellowship
The NCERT Doctoral Fellowship’s main aim is to establish a strong foundation of research in education in India. It will be anchored in the following aims:
- To empower young researchers to complete original and interdisciplinary research in education.
- To enhance research that focuses on teacher education, curriculum, inclusive education, and peace education as priority areas.
- To promote innovation in the interactions that occur in the plurality of schools in India, and the relationships between them and the students they serve.
- To make a direct contribution to NCERT’s ongoing work of developing educational policies, frameworks, and materials relevant to national goals and aspirations.
Eligibility Criteria & Financial Benefits
To qualify for the NCERT Doctoral Fellowship, candidates must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
Education Qualification
- Minimum 60% marks. in Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
- Final Semester PG students can apply provisionally. Their PhD must be registered before commencing the fellowship.
Age Limit
- Applicants must be below 35 years of age, on or before their last date for admission.
- The standard age relaxation is allowed for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates as per the Government of India rules.
PhD Status
- The applicant must be a full-time registered PhD student, or must have applied to be a registered PhD student.
- All applicants must also have taken a pre-doctoral research methods course (as per UGC rules).
Reservations in Fellowship
- Up to four fellowships are reserved for candidates associated with NCERT’s Regional Institutes of Education (RIEs).
Fellowship Stipend and Contingency Grant
The fellowship has two levels of financial support, dependent upon the eligibility of the candidate as NET-qualified:
- NET-Qualified candidates: ₹25,000 per month
- Non-NET candidates: ₹23,000 per month
- Duration of the Fellowship: Up to three years.
- Each fellow will also receive ₹10,000 as an annual contingency grant to fund research-related costs, such as:
- Fieldwork and data collection
- Books and learning materials
- Academic travel and participation in seminars
How to Apply for the NCERT Doctoral Fellowship
The process of application is hybrid, involving both online and offline procedures:
- Register online through NCERT fellowship portal (usually only available from September – November).
- Fill in the digital application form, and scan/register all documents.
- After final submission, you can print and sign the application.
You then need to send the hard copy and annexures to:
Head, Division of Educational Research
NCERT, Sri Aurobindo Marg
New Delhi – 110016
The application must be delivered to the office by the deadline specified in the official notification.
Documents Required
Before you start your application process, please ensure you have the following documents available:
- Your current CV
- CV from your research supervisor (for the last 5 years of academic work)
- A research concept note (approximately 1500 words) consisting of:
- Rationale for research
Intended contribution
- Degrees / academic mark sheets and certificates (UG and PG)
- Proof of PhD Registration or enrollment in a pre-doctoral course
- NET qualification certificate (if applicable)
- Category certificate (only for SC/ST/OBC/PwD categories)
- One passport-style photo (size)
- A signed printed application form and annexure checklist
Selection Process
The selection process involves the following steps:
- The first screening is based on the merit of academic record, eligibility, and a plan for research.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited to attend a present-cum-interview, which also includes a Q&A round based on their proposed research.
- SC/ST candidates travelling to attend their interview are reimbursed with second-class sleeper train fare by NCERT.
- A final merit list is made based on the number of fellowships available, academic merit, quality of proposal, and reservation policy.
Importance of the Fellowship
The NCERT Doctoral Fellowship plays a crucial role in developing India’s future generation of educators and policy shapers. It provides financial security and a framework for research, enabling scholars to concentrate on a significant piece of educational research without distraction.
The fellowship embraces engagement with the education system by providing opportunities for curriculum design, fieldwork, teaching, and participation in policy seminars, including the mandatory 30 days of service at NCERT or RIEs each year (travel and accommodation covered). It combines academic rigour with down-to-earth exposure, which makes for a unique platform for research that directly feeds into national education policy and innovation.
Ultimately, it contributes to building a community of educational researchers committed to addressing systemic issues facing the formal schooling system in India and can create ripples that lead to social change at the grassroots level.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Ans. Indian citizens under 35 years of age, with 60% and above marks in both UG and PG, who are currently registered or will register for a full-time PhD in education or an allied area.
Q2. Difference between Fellowship to NET and Non-NET candidates.
Ans. NET candidates will receive ₹25,000/month and non-NET candidates will receive ₹23,000/month as stipend.
Q3. Do I have to participate in NCERT seminars?
Ans. Yes, fellows are required to:
- Present a seminar every semester.
- Contribute for 30 days in a year as part of the NCERT or RIE programs (travel and lodging arranged and funded).
Q4. Can I have a job while I am a fellow?
Ans. No, the fellowship is for full-time researchers and other types of employment or paid assignments would not be allowed.
Q5. What happens if my research does not progress enough?
Ans. Fellows are required to submit a six-monthly progress report. If the review committee finds that the progress report is not adequate, NCERT can cease the fellowship.
Conclusion
The NCERT Doctoral Fellowship is more than just a scholarship: it’s a national investment in the future of education in India. It is intended to be a fellowship that promotes action-oriented and critical research that mirrors the lived experiences of schools and classrooms. In addition, it is concerned with fostering leadership that is ostensibly willing to propel the standard of education to excellence.
If your research is centred around curriculum reform, teacher education, inclusive practices, or education policy, then this fellowship may be the ideal springboard for a career dedicated to shaping the learners—and systems—that will shape our future.
Get more information and further details at: ncert.nic.in
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