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ActiveCentral Sector SchemeLaunched January 2020Verified: 2026-10-12

DST INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Research

Prestigious doctoral research fellowship for 1st rank holders in university postgraduate science exams and INSPIRE scholars to pursue Ph.D. in Basic and Applied Sciences.

Audited by Eligo Public Policy Research Desk•Official Gazette & Nodal Portal Verification•Read Verification Standards →
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Official Nodal Portal:online-inspire.gov.in

Quick Eligibility Snapshot

👤 Age 22–32 yrs💰 Income ≤ ₹18,00,000⚖ All genders🏛 All categories📍 All India
Government Levelcentral Government
Administering BodyMinistry of Science and Technology
Beneficiary Sector
Applicable Jurisdiction

₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown

Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) stipend of ₹37,000 per month for the first two years, upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) at ₹42,000 per month for the remaining three years, plus HRA and ₹20,000 annual contingency grant.

📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach

Fiscal Budget Allocation

Funded under Central Sector Science & Technology Development Allocation

Official Budget Document ↗
Verified Beneficiary Reach

Over 5,000 scientists, researchers, and students supported annually

As of: 2026-01-20PIB / Official Citation ↗

Verified Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirement:22 to 32 years
Annual Family Income Ceiling:₹18,00,000 per annum
Target Occupations:researcher, student
Eligible Gender:all
Social Category / Reservation:all
Specific Operational Conditions & Exclusions:

Targeted at scientific researchers, students, faculty, and scholars with verified academic credentials.

📄

Required Documents Checklist

Verify readiness before applying for DST INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Research. Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.

Mandatory Documents(3)

Check off as ready
💡

Keep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.

🛡️Civic Research Desk • Rejection Prevention

Worried About Application Rejection for DST INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Research?

Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.

  • ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
  • ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
  • ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
  • ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
Civic Research Fee:₹49One-time
Get Scheme Blueprint (₹49)→

🔒 Secure Razorpay Checkout • 100% Independent

Application Effort & Process Friction

Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.

Easy to Access (1/10)
•100% digital online application process
•3 mandatory supporting documents required
•Income certificate / income verification ceiling applied

Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.

How to Apply

🌐 Online Portal Route
🛡️
Government Application Safety Advisory:Application for this welfare program is processed exclusively on official government infrastructure (online-inspire.gov.in). Never pay registration charges or advance processing fees to unauthorized third-party agents. Central and State welfare scheme applications do not require paying private intermediaries.
  1. 1

    Verify 1st rank university gold medal standing in M.Sc. or INSPIRE Scholar status with at least 70% aggregate marks.

  2. 2

    Secure admission into a regular Ph.D. program in science, engineering, or technology at an Indian university or research institute.

  3. 3

    Submit research proposal and supervisor credentials online through the INSPIRE web portal.

  4. 4

    Undergo evaluation by subject expert committees and receive monthly fellowship directly via DBT.

✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist

✓Ensure Aadhaar is linked with active mobile number
✓Bank account is NPCI-mapped (Aadhaar-seeded) for DBT
✓Check if you already receive a similar Central scheme benefit
✓Keep documents ready: income/caste/domicile certificates as applicable

⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These

Non-compliance with educational degree thresholds, incomplete research proposal, or lack of institutional endorsement.

Official Government Application Portal

You will be redirected to the secure official portal: online-inspire.gov.in

Apply on official government website
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Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)

Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.

Who is eligible for the DST INSPIRE Fellowship?

University 1st rank holders in M.Sc. or M.Tech basic/applied sciences or INSPIRE Scholars who secured at least 70% marks in postgraduation.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

What is the tenure of the DST INSPIRE Fellowship?

The fellowship is valid for a maximum duration of 5 years or until the submission of the Ph.D. thesis, whichever is earlier.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

What are the revised stipend rates for INSPIRE JRF/SRF?

JRF stipend is ₹37,000 per month for years 1-2, rising to ₹42,000 per month for SRF in years 3-5, along with applicable HRA and contingency.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Can I track my DST INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Research application status?

Application status for DST INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Research can typically be tracked through the official portal at online-inspire.gov.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).

What should I do if my DST INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Research payment is delayed or rejected?

First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.

Is there an income tax implication for receiving DST INSPIRE Fellowship for Doctoral Research benefits?

Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.

Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings

Non-compliance with educational degree thresholds, incomplete research proposal, or lack of institutional endorsement.

Editorial Verification & Change Log

Scheme verification and change history
DateFieldDescription / UpdateSource Citation
2026-10-19scheme_typecsOfficial Source ↗
2026-09-28initial_verificationBaseline verification of guidelines, eligibility parameters, research grants, and official portal links.Official Source ↗
2026-09-28initial_verificationBaseline verification of guidelines, eligibility parameters, research grants, and official portal links.Official Source ↗

⚖Compare with Similar Schemes

Side-by-side eligibility, benefit, and effort comparison:

Application Window & Deadlines

Annual regular call announced on DST/SERB/CSIR/DBT portal

Scheme Intelligence

How is this calculated? ↗
Data ConfidenceFully Verified (100%)

Verified 8d ago from .gov.in source

Access FrictionEasy to Access

Apply online with minimal documents

How to Apply🖥Apply Online
Scale & Impact
👥Over 5,000 scientists, researchers, and students supported annually (as of 2026-01-20)
₹Funded under Central Sector Science & Technology Development Allocation budget allocation
📅Running since 2020
🔄3 verified updates — actively maintained

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📅Scheme Milestone Timeline

2026-10-19scheme_type

cs

Official Source ↗
2026-09-28initial_verification

Baseline verification of guidelines, eligibility parameters, research grants, an...

Official Source ↗
2026-09-28initial_verification

Baseline verification of guidelines, eligibility parameters, research grants, an...

Official Source ↗
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Official Helpline & Nodal Offices

INSPIRE Fellowship Division, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi 110016

INSPIRE Fellowship Division, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi 110016

Helpline: 0120-4676260

Jurisdiction: National

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Verification Metadata

Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-10-12 against official government documentation.

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