The Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a scheme initiated by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Higher Education (DoHE), Ministry of Education, Government of India. The fellowship aims to support young researchers in Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Humanities, and Social Sciences, providing them with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies and research in Indian universities and institutions.
This fellowship program serves as a bridge for early-career researchers, helping them acquire new skills, broaden academic horizons, and transition into cross-disciplinary research areas.
Objective
The primary objective of this fellowship is to:
- Encourage post-doctoral research in Indian Universities/Institutions.
- Support researchers in acquiring specialized knowledge.
- Facilitate a career transition into academia and interdisciplinary research.
- Provide a three-year tenure for research with no further extensions.
Benefits
Number of Slots
- Total Fellowships: 900
- 30% of fellowships are reserved for women candidates.
Financial Assistance
- Fellowship Amount: ₹50,000 per month
- Contingency Grant: ₹50,000 per annum
- Escorts/Reader Assistance (For PWD candidates): ₹3,000 per month (Fixed)
Norms for Utilizing Contingency Grant
- Can be used for minor research equipment, laptops, laboratory materials, and chemicals (up to ₹50,000 per item).
- Cannot be used for international travel, furniture, or non-research expenses.
- Items purchased under the contingency grant must be handed over to the host university after completion of the fellowship.
Housing Rent Allowance (HRA)
- If hostel accommodation is provided, the scholar is eligible for hostel fees (excluding mess and utility charges).
- If self-arranged accommodation is taken, HRA will be provided as per Govt. norms.
- Scholars need to submit a certificate to claim HRA.
Medical Assistance
- No separate medical allowance is provided. However, scholars can use institutional medical facilities.
Leave Provisions
- Earned Leave: 30 days per year (excluding public holidays). No summer/winter vacation is allowed.
- Maternity/Paternity Leave: As per Government of India norms, applicable once during the fellowship tenure.
- Intermittent Break:
- Allowed for women scholars (up to 1 year in total).
- Can be taken up to 3 times but not exceeding 1 year in total.
- No fellowship is provided during the break.
- The total duration of the fellowship remains unchanged despite the break.
- Academic Leave:
- 1-year academic leave is allowed for research assignments or foreign visits.
- No fellowship or contingency is provided during this period.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for Candidates
- Candidates must be unemployed Ph.D. holders in Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
- Candidates should be below 35 years at the time of application.
- Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), PWD (Persons with Disabilities), Women, and Transgender candidates.
- Candidates who are currently receiving any other fellowship/remuneration must resign before accepting the UGC fellowship.
- Applicants must have at least 55% marks in their postgraduate degree (Relaxation of 5% for SC/ST/OBC (NCL)/PWD/Transgender candidates).
- Candidates who have already availed of any UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship are not eligible.
- The candidate must identify a mentor/supervisor for research work and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the research institution.
Eligibility of Mentor/Supervisor
- Must be Associate Professor or higher in the university/institution.
- Should hold a Ph.D. degree.
- Must have supervised at least 3 Ph.D. theses.
Eligibility of Proposed Research Center
The fellowship is applicable only for research at:
- Universities under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956, with NAAC accreditation.
- Deemed-to-be Universities with NAAC accreditation.
- Institutions fully funded by Central or State Governments with degree-granting authority.
- Institutions of National Importance.
Application Process
Online Application Process
- Applications are invited once a year through advertisements in newspapers and employment news.
- The official notification is also uploaded on UGC’s website: www.ugc.ac.in
Step-by-Step Process
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Read the Guidelines
- Visit the official Fellowship & Research Grant (FRG) portal: https://frg.ugc.ac.in/
- Select the scheme and read the guidelines carefully before applying.
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Registration
- Click on “New User” under the relevant scheme.
- Provide details for registration and enter a valid email address.
- Upload a scanned copy of a passport-size photograph and signature (Max size: 1MB, Format: JPG).
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Login & Dashboard
- You will receive login credentials via email.
- Log in and update your profile.
- Fill out the Eligibility Criteria section.
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Eligibility Verification
- Check all eligibility boxes and submit.
- This step cannot be modified after submission.
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Application Form
- Enter details related to Postgraduate and Ph.D. qualifications.
- Upload required documents (Max size: 5MB for research proposal, 1MB for abstract).
- Submit the No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by the Mentor, HOD, and Registrar.
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Final Submission
- Read the Declaration Statement and agree.
- Click “Submit”.
- Save a copy of the application for future reference.
Documents Required
- Scanned Photograph & Signature (JPG, Max size: 1MB)
- Research Proposal (PDF, Max size: 5MB)
- Abstract of Research Proposal (PDF, Max size: 1MB)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by Mentor, HOD, and Registrar
- Ph.D. Degree Certificate or Provisional Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many slots are available under this fellowship?
A total of 900 slots are available, with 30% reserved for women candidates.
Q: Can I apply if I am already receiving another fellowship?
No, candidates must resign from any existing fellowship before accepting this one.
Q: Is reader assistance available for PWD candidates?
Yes, ₹3,000 per month is provided for eligible PWD candidates.
Q: Can scholars avail of maternity leave?
Yes, maternity/paternity leave is available once during the fellowship tenure.
Q: What is an ‘Intermittent Break’?
Women scholars can take a maximum break of 1 year (split into 3 periods) for personal reasons.
Q: How do I track my application status?
Applicants can track their status through the FRG portal.
Sources & References
- Guidelines: UGC Official Website
- Application Portal: FRG UGC Portal
- Helpdesk
- Guidelines
- Application Process