INSPIRE-F

INSPIRE Fellowship is one of the components of INSPIRE scheme implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to strengthen the Science and Technology base of the country. This Component focuses on attracting students to pursue doctoral degree.

INSPIRE Fellowship is one of the components of INSPIRE scheme implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to strengthen the Science and Technology base of the country. This Component focuses on attracting students to pursue doctoral degrees in basic and applied sciences including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary, pharmacy, etc. after either master’s degree in science/engineering or a bachelor/ master’s degree in Medicine.

• 1st Rank Holders in any recognized University and academic Institutions (Excluding Autonomous Colleges) in India in Post-Graduate (PG) level examination in Basic/Applied Sciences including Engineering, Pharmacy, Agricultural Sciences, and Veterinary Sciences.
• 1st Rank Holders at the Graduate/Post-graduate Level Examination in Medicine only conducted by a University/ Institution in India.
• 1st Rank should be obtained in university in basic/applied science subject course/program having a batch size of a minimum of 07 students with a minimum aggregate of 70% marks (or CGPA equivalent) for the entire course/ program.

OR

• INSPIRE Scholars who have secured a minimum of 70% marks (or CGPA equivalent) in aggregate at M.Sc. integrated M.S. / M.Sc.

Note 1: Merely fulfilling the eligibility criteria for the INSPIRE Fellowship will not guarantee the final offer of fellowship.

Note 2: Subject Expert Committee (SEC) will finally recommend the applications for the award of INSPIRE Fellowship considering the academic merit, research proposal, supervisor’s research credentials and host institution, etc. parameters on a competitive basis.

Note 3: This Fellowship shall be available only for pursuing a full-time Ph.D. program in any recognized University / Institution/ R&D Laboratory in the country.

> Post-Selection Eligibility Criteria for Continuation of the Fellowship

• Keep DST updated regarding the Research progress made during fellowship tenure.
• INSPIRE Fellow shall not take any paid or unpaid assignment other than related to his/her approved research program. However, if required, the fellow may assist the host institute in its academic activities as per Ph.D. program guidelines governed by the Host Institution, provided such assignments shall not hamper the progress of the research work of the fellow.
• Once the INSPIRE Fellow joins the Fellowship, he/she shall complete the research work within the 5 years tenure of the fellowship to achieve the approved objectives of the research problem.
• The INSPIRE Fellow must acknowledge the support provided by DST in all the publication(s)/patent(s) and Ph.D. Thesis.
• Soft copy of the Ph.D. thesis published research papers and patent details if any shall be submitted in a USB storage device to the INSPIRE Programme Division of DST by speed post.
• DST needs to be informed about any disciplinary action taken by the University against INSPIRE Fellow.

> Duration

The fellowship shall be tenable for a maximum period of five years from INSPIRE Fellowship “Effective Date” or completion of the Ph.D. program (i.e. up to the date of successful Ph.D. viva-voce), whichever is earlier.

> HRA

HRA to the Fellows shall also be applicable as per GoI norms depending upon the location of the Host Institute.

> Contingency Expenditure

Expenditure of contingency grant would be governed as per host institution norms. The limit of the contingency grant is ₹20,000/annum. The unspent balance of the contingency grant at the end of a year shall be adjusted to the next year with a maximum ceiling of ₹ 20,000.

> Internship

INSPIRE Fellow shall be allowed for availing of a short-term Research Internship at any national or international Laboratory/ University/ Institute up to a maximum period of 18 months either in one or multiple slots during 5 years tenure of Fellowship.

> Upgradation of Fellowship from JRF to SRF

The up-gradation of Fellowship from Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) would normally be considered after the completion of two (2) years of INSPIRE Fellowship. However, it can be considered after completion of one year as JRF if INSPIRE Fellow has an acceptance of at least one research paper (as a 1st Author) in any international peer-reviewed journal from the Ph.D. work carried out at the respective Host Institute.

> Mode and Cycle of Payment

The fellowship grant shall be transferred through PFMS to the student’s host institute’s ZBSA Bank Account in the Bank of Maharashtra following CNA (Central Nodal Agency) Model. Host the institute shall transfer monthly fellowship to students’ bank accounts following the host institute norms.

• Students who are 1st Rank Holders in College including Autonomous College Examination, and
• Students who have obtained degree(s) through Distance Education Mode, and
• Students who are 1st Rank Holder in any specialization at M.Sc. 2nd year/last year.
• Students who are availing multiple (more than one) fellowships concurrently from different sources.

> Termination or Discontinuation of INSPIRE Fellowship

• Non-acceptance of Final Offer within 30 days from the date of issue of Final Offer.
• Upon successful completion of Ph.D. viva-voce or 5 years of INSPIRE Fellowship tenure, whichever is earlier;
• Resignation from the Fellowship before awarding a Ph.D. degree based on the Research Supervisor’s recommendation and upon acceptance of resignation by DST as per the terms and conditions detailed in point 7 above.
• Change of host institution without prior approval of DST.
• In case, INSPIRE Fellow is found ineligible at any stage including submission of incorrect information / document(s) / application, any unintentional computer error or printer’s devil, etc.
• In case of termination of fellowship on the unethical ground(s) INSPIRE Fellow is liable to refund the completely released INSPIRE Fellowship grant along with interest.