National Post Doctoral Fellowship: ₹2,00,000 Research Grant and ₹55,000 Stipend

The National Post Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) was launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India. Its objective is to support motivated young researchers in frontier areas of science and engineering. Under the fellowship, postdoctoral fellows work under a mentor with the goal of developing into independent researchers. The fellowship is a temporary assignment, providing a platform for advanced research training.

Duration of Fellowship

• The fellowship is tenable for a period of 2 years.

Benefits

• Fellowship Stipend:
  • ₹55,000 per month (consolidated) for most candidates.
  • ₹35,000 per month for candidates who have submitted their thesis but whose degree has not yet been awarded.
• Research Grant:
  • ₹2,00,000 per annum.
• Overheads:
  • ₹1,00,000 per annum.

Additional Notes:

• Research grants may be used for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, and domestic travel.
• There is no provision for hiring research personnel; the Fellow is expected to carry out the research work independently.
• Fellows cannot receive any other fellowship from any governmental or non-governmental source during the fellowship period.
• If a Fellow intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) for more than eight continuous weeks, prior consent from SERB is required.

Leave Provisions:

• Leave is granted as per the host institution’s rules.
• Participation in scientific workshops (domestic or international) will be considered on duty.
• Maternity leave is available as per Government of India instructions for female candidates.

Eligibility

• Citizenship:
  • Must be an Indian citizen.
• Educational Qualifications:
  • Must hold a PhD/M.D/M.S. degree from a recognized university.
  • Candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting the award of the degree are eligible; however, they will receive a lower fellowship amount until the degree is awarded.
• Age Limit:
  • The upper age limit is 35 years at the time of application submission (age calculated as per the closure date of the call).
  • A relaxation of 5 years is provided for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women.
• Fellowship Uniqueness:
  • A candidate can avail the N-PDF only once in his/her career.
• Mentor Criteria:
  • The mentor must hold a regular academic or research position in a recognized institution in India and have a PhD in Science or Engineering.
  • A mentor cannot have more than two SERB N-PDF fellows concurrently.
• Work Environment:
  • The fellowship must be undertaken in India, at a recognized academic institution, national laboratory, or R&D institution.
  • The Fellow must not work with his/her PhD guide/co-guide or in the same department/institution where the PhD/M.S./M.D. degree was obtained.

Application Process

Mode: Online

1. Notification:

   • Calls for applications are announced on www.serbonline.in and https://serb.gov.in/.

2. Registration & Submission:

   • Register on the SERB online portal.
   • Fill in all mandatory fields in the “Profile Detail” section (Bio-data, Photo, Institute Address, etc.).
   • Ensure your proposed Mentor is registered in the system following the same procedure.
   • Provide details including:
     • Project Title (max 500 characters)
     • Project Summary (max 3000 characters)
     • Keywords (max 6)
     • Project Objectives (max 1500 characters)
     • Expected Output/Outcome (max 1500 characters)
   • Upload the Work Methodology and Research Plan as a single PDF file (not more than 3 pages; max 10 MB).

Notes:

• Each candidate can submit only one proposal per calendar year.
• Follow the online instructions carefully to complete the application.

Selection Process

• Selection is based on recommendations from an Expert Committee constituted by SERB.
• Candidates may be called for personal interviews as part of the selection process.

Termination of the Fellowship

• A Fellow wishing to terminate the fellowship must inform SERB immediately through the Mentor and the Host Institution.
• The Host Institution should halt project expenditures from the date of termination or resignation.
• SERB reserves the right to terminate the fellowship if progress is unsatisfactory or funds are misused.

Documents Required

• Under User Profile (Online):
  • Bio-data
  • Age Proof Certificate
  • Qualification Certificates
  • Category Certificate (if applicable for age relaxation)
• Additional Documents:
  • Undertaking Certificate by the Applicant
  • Endorsement Certificate from the Mentor & Host Institute
  • Short CV of the Mentor (as per online format)
  • Detailed CV of the Mentor
  • Plagiarism Undertaking

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who can apply for N-PDF?
  Indian citizens who meet the educational and age criteria as specified.

• What is the age limit for availing N-PDF?
  The upper age limit is 35 years, with a relaxation of 5 years for eligible categories.

• What is the amount of the fellowship?
  ₹55,000 per month (or ₹35,000 per month for candidates awaiting degree award).

• Is the fellowship taxable?
  Yes, the fellowship amount is consolidated and taxable as per applicable laws.

• Can the fellowship be undertaken outside India?
  No, the fellowship is tenable only in India.

• What is the tenure of the N-PDF? Can it be extended?
  The fellowship is for 2 years; extension policies, if any, are subject to SERB guidelines.

• Can I avail the N-PDF from the same institution where I earned my PhD/M.S./M.D.?
  No, the fellowship is generally not available in the same institution where the candidate earned their degree.

• Can I avail other fellowship grants concurrently?
  No, candidates are not eligible to receive any other fellowship during the tenure of the N-PDF.

• What support is provided under the N-PDF scheme?
  It includes a monthly fellowship, research grant, and overheads.

• When should I apply? Are applications accepted throughout the year?
  Applications are accepted as per the call notifications on the SERB online portal.

• Who can be a Mentor? Can my PhD supervisor or co-supervisor act as a Mentor?
  No, the Fellow must not work with their PhD guide/co-guide.

• What documents should I submit with my application?
  Refer to the Documents Required section above.

• When will I be informed of my selection?
  Notifications will be communicated through the SERB online portal after the selection process.

• Is there a breakdown available for the research grant?
  Yes, the breakdown is provided under the Benefits section.

• Can I recruit manpower under this scheme?
  No, recruitment of research personnel is not permitted under the N-PDF.

• What documents must I submit to receive my scholarship for the second year?
  Submission of required progress reports and financial statements is necessary, as per SERB guidelines.

• What is the procedure to change my Mentor/Host Institution?
  Follow the specified procedure on the SERB portal and inform your Mentor and Host Institution accordingly.

• What documents should I send if I wish to resign as an N-PDF?
  Submit a resignation letter along with any required documentation as per SERB instructions.

• What are the rules for availing leave?
  Leave is as per the rules of the Host Institution; participation in scientific workshops is considered on duty.

• Can SERB terminate the N-PDF fellowship?
  Yes, SERB reserves the right to terminate the fellowship if the research progress is unsatisfactory or funds are misused.

• Can I be away from the implementing institute during the fellowship?
  Absences longer than eight continuous weeks require prior consent from SERB.

• What should be done with any unspent grant funds after the fellowship ends?
  Unspent funds should be handled as per SERB guidelines at the completion of the fellowship.

Sources and References

• Official Website
• Registration Portal