The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) with the intent to scale up the output of PhDs in ESDM and IT/ITES sectors of India to a considerable extent. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the above scheme in 2014 for ₹466 crores to upgrade the R&D ecosystem of India.
Objectives
- Increased PhD Output: Increase the number of PhDs in ESDM and IT/ITES sectors.
- Research and Innovation: Encourage R&D and build an innovative technology ecosystem.
- Global Competitiveness: This will fulfill the vision of NPE 2012 and NPIT 2012, making India a global competitor.
- Support for 3000 PhDs: The program will support 1500 PhD candidates under both ESDM and IT/ITES with:
- 500 Full-Time candidates
- 1000 Part-Time candidates
- Promote Professionals & Faculty: Encourage working professionals and non-PhD faculty to pursue a PhD.
Salient Features
- 25% Higher Fellowship: Offers 25% more fellowship than most other PhD programs.
- Infrastructural Grant: ₹5,00,000 per candidate to the institution for laboratory upgradation.
- Incentives for Part-time PhDs: ₹2,50,000 one-time incentive on successful completion.
- Faculty Support: Offers 200 Young Faculty Research Fellowships (YFRF) in ESDM and IT/ITES.
Benefits
For Full-time PhD
- Fellowship Amount:
- For Year 1 & 2: ₹38,750/-
- For Year 3 to 5: ₹43,750/-
- Contingency Grant: ₹30,000/year for books, software, conferences, etc.
- Rent Reimbursement:
- 30% of rent in Class X cities
- 20% of rent in Class Y cities
- 10% of rent in Class Z cities
- International Conference Support:
- Up to ₹50,000 per conference
- Supports 2 conferences per candidate
For Part-time PhD Candidates
- One-time Incentive: ₹2,50,000 on successful completion of PhD.
Young Faculty Research Fellowship (YFRF)
- Monthly Fellowship: ₹20,000/month with regular pay
- Research Grant: ₹5,00,000/year for conducting research and attending conferences (for up to 5 years)
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants
- Degree Holders with Postgraduate Degrees:
- At least 6.5/10 CGPA or 60% marks (55% for SC/ST) in M.E./M.Tech/M.S. in relevant fields like Electronics, Computer Science, etc.
- Undergraduate Degree Holders:
- B.E./B.Tech with a valid GATE score and at least 6.5/10 CGPA or 60% marks (55% for SC/ST).
- IIT graduates with a CGPA of at least 8.0.
- Science Graduates:
- Master’s degree in Physics/Chemistry or relevant field with GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR-NET scores.
For Institutions:
- Should comply with UGC’s PhD Award Regulation (2009) and subsequent amendments.
Eligible Universities
- IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs, Central Universities, and Deemed Universities of the Central Government
- State and Private Universities, colleges offering PhDs, and R&D Institutions having eligibility criteria for accreditation
Institutes Must:
- Already offer postgraduate streams in ESDM/IT/ITES
- Be AICTE-approved and NBA/NAAC accredited
- Have a record of successful PhD student output in relevant disciplines in the last 3 years
Application Process
Mode: Online (Process differs from institute to institute)
General Steps:
- Visit the Institute’s Website:
- Access the application form from the respective institution’s website.
- Fill Out the Application:
- Fill in all the mandatory fields and attach self-attested documents.
Through E-mail
- Send the completed application form to the Nodal Officer of the Institute with the following subject:
- “Visvesvaraya Application of [Your Name]”
Interview & Admission
- In case of shortlisting, bring along originals of sealed reference letters and transcripts for verification.
Required Documents
- DOB Certificate (Class 10th certificate acceptable)
- Caste Certificate if SC/ST/OBC-NCL
- Disability Certificate, if applicable
- GATE/CSIR/UGC Scorecard, if applicable
- Mark Sheets & Degree Certificates of all qualifying degrees
- No Objection Certificate from the employer (for part-time/external candidates)
- Sponsorship Certificate (if applicable)
- Two Letters of Reference (for PhD applicants)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What kinds of institutions are brought under the purview of this scheme?
IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs, Central & State Universities, Private Universities, and R&D Institutions accredited by UGC/AICTE. - What is the fellowship grant for the Young Faculty Research Fellowship (YFRF)?
₹20,000/month in addition to regular pay, and ₹5,00,000 every year for conducting research. - Is direct funding given for PhD?
No. It is institution-level funding. In case the applicant is selected for fellowship, he/she gets it directly from the institute. - If one is enrolled as a part-time PhD, can that candidate apply?
Yes, a one-time support amount of ₹2,50,000 will be given to candidates who successfully complete their PhD. - Which research areas does this initiative sponsor?
- Electronics Design
- IT Services
- Communication Systems
- Nano Technology
- Embedded Systems
- Data Science
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What is Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme Phase II?
Phase II is an extension of the original scheme, supporting research in emerging technologies like AI, IoT, cybersecurity, blockchain, and quantum computing. It offers improved stipends and research grants to encourage innovation in India. -
How do I log in to the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme Phase 2 portal?
To access your account:- Visit the official Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme website.
- Click on ‘Login’ under the Phase II section.
- Enter your registered email ID and password.
- You can check your application status, stipend details, and research grant updates.
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How can I apply for the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme?
- Check if your institution is recognized under the scheme.
- Go to the official application portal.
- Fill in the online application form with your academic and research details.
- Upload the required documents (admission letter, ID proof, research proposal, etc.).
- Submit your application and track its status online.
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Where can I log in to check my application and stipend details?
You can log in through the MeitY website or the official Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme portal, where you can manage your application, research progress, and funding details. -
How is the fellowship reviewed?
The fellowship is reviewed annually based on the scholar’s research progress. Scholars must submit progress reports and meet their institution’s research standards to continue receiving financial support.