Prime Minister Research Fellowship 2025 encourages top Indian students to take up research in science and technology by offering a generous fellowship. This scheme financially supports Ph.D. scholars so they can concentrate on quality research at well-known institutes. If you want to know how to apply, eligibility, benefits, and other details of the Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF), this article will explain everything clearly.
Overview of Prime Minister Research Fellowship 2025
The Government of India started the Prime Minister Research Fellowship to promote high-quality research among higher education students in science and technology. The fellowship gives attractive financial support to bring in the best talent for research fields. It was first announced in the 2018-19 budget and covers students from IITs, IISc, IISERs, top central universities, and NITs offering science or technology courses. Students’ progress in this scheme is reviewed during national conventions.
Main Purpose of the PMRF Scheme
The main objective is to provide financial support to Ph.D. students so they can focus on research without worrying about money. This will encourage more students to choose research careers, especially in science and technology.
Main Details of PMRF 2025
| Scheme Name | Prime Minister Research Fellowship |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Eligible Beneficiaries | Indian citizens |
| Objective | To provide research fellowship |
| Official Website | https://www.pmrf.in/ |
| Year | 2025 |
Benefits and Main Features of PMRF 2025
- Encourages better research quality in Indian higher education.
- Offers attractive fellowships to research students.
- Available to students from IITs, IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, top central universities, and NITs.
- Annual review at national conventions to check progress.
- Multiple expert panels regularly evaluate student performance.
- Students must teach at least once a week.
- Fellowship can be stopped if the student does not meet performance goals.
PMRF Fellowship Amount
| Year | Monthly Fellowship (Rs) |
| 1st Year | 70,000 |
| 2nd Year | 70,000 |
| 3rd Year | 75,000 |
| 4th Year | 80,000 |
| 5th Year | 80,000 |
In addition, fellows get a research grant of Rs 2 lakh per year, making a total of Rs 10 lakh over five years. The fellowship lasts up to the 4th year for students in integrated courses and up to the 5th year for those with BTech or similar qualifications. Lateral entry candidates also receive the fellowship during their Ph.D. period. Some fellowships may be supported by industry partnerships through CSR funding.
Performance Requirements (Deliverables)
- Students get clear yearly goals when they join, set by their guide and department.
- Annual progress reviews are needed to continue the fellowship.
- Expert panels with 3-4 members, up to two from the host institute, evaluate progress.
- Fellows are expected to teach at least once a week.
- Not meeting deliverables can lead to stopping the fellowship.
Research Fields Covered Under PMRF
- Aerospace Engineering
- Agriculture and Food Engineering
- Physics
- Textile Engineering
- Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture
- Mining, Mineral, Coal and Energy Sector
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering
- Interdisciplinary Programs in Science and Engineering
- Engineering Design
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Civil Engineering
- Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biological Sciences
Top Institutes Granting PMRF Fellowship
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Banaras Hindu University
- IISc Bangalore
- IISER Berhampur, Bhopal, Kolkata, Mohali, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati
- All IITs including Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, Roorkee, and others
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
- University of Delhi
- University of Hyderabad
Institutions Eligible for PMRF
- IISc Bengaluru
- All IISERs
- All IITs
- Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Banaras Hindu University
- University of Hyderabad
- Aligarh Muslim University
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- University of Delhi
- National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli
Updates in PMRF Scheme
- Now, students from any Indian university can apply. Earlier, only selected institutes were allowed.
- GATE qualifying score reduced from 750 to 600 for eligibility.
- Two entry channels: Direct Entry and Lateral Entry.
- Lateral Entry allows Ph.D. students from PMRF institutes who meet course and time requirements to apply.
- NITs ranked in the top 25 under National Institute Ranking Framework can also grant PMRF.
Eligibility Criteria for PMRF 2025
Direct Entry Channel
- You should be in the final year of 4-5 year undergraduate, 5-year integrated M.Tech, 2-year MSc, or dual degree program in science or technology from IITs, IISc, IISERs, NITs, or centrally funded IIITs.
- You must have a minimum CGPA or CPI of 8.0 on a 10-point scale. If CGPA is separate for undergrad and postgrad, undergrad CGPA for 4 years will be used.
- OR, if you completed similar courses from other Indian institutes with CGPA 8.0 and a minimum GATE score of 650.
- OR, if you qualified GATE or are pursuing/completed M.Tech/MS by research from a PMRF granting institute with minimum 8.0 CGPA after first semester.
- You must apply for the Ph.D. program at a PMRF granting institute and get selected.
- The admitting institute must recommend you and upload information on the portal.
- Selection is based on research exposure, publications, grades, international performance, and recommendation letters.
- Your progress will be reviewed within 12-18 months; the fellowship continues after a satisfactory review.
- A strong research proposal is required.
Lateral Entry Channel
- You must be pursuing Ph.D. at a PMRF granting institute.
- You should have completed at least 12 months of Ph.D. if joining after master’s degree or 24 months if joining after bachelor’s degree.
- You have two chances to apply through lateral entry.
- For integrated M.Tech/MSc/Ph.D., apply within 12 months after meeting master’s degree requirements.
- You must have completed at least 4 courses in Ph.D. with minimum 8.5 CGPA.
- The institute must recommend and upload all research and academic details.
- Transfer to other institutes is not allowed.
- You cannot apply again for direct entry later.
- Selection is based on research proposal, publications, and grades.
Documents Needed for PMRF Application
- Aadhar Card
- Passport size photo
- Mobile number
- Email ID
- Mark sheets
- Ration card
- Voter ID card
- PAN card
How to Apply for Prime Minister Research Fellowship?
- Apply for the Ph.D. program in any PMRF granting institute.
- After selection, the institute will nominate eligible candidates for PMRF.
- Your nomination must be from the current semester Ph.D. admission; earlier admittees apply through lateral entry.
- Nomination does not guarantee fellowship acceptance.
- An expert panel reviews nominations to finalize fellows.
- There is no central application portal; apply through institutes only.
- After nomination, candidates get a link to submit detailed applications, including academic background, CV, research proposal, and references.
- There is no reservation quota under PMRF.
- The institute nomination deadline was 15th January 2024.
Contact Details
Address: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India
Email: pmrfsupport@iitd.ac.in