VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik)
Flagship fellowship by Department of Science and Technology for outstanding Indian diaspora scientists to collaborate with Indian academic and research institutions.
₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown
📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach
Central Sector Scheme funded under Department of Science and Technology international cooperation budget
Official Budget Document ↗Up to 75 outstanding diaspora scientists selected annually across top global research institutions
As of: 2026-01-31PIB / Official Citation ↗Verified Eligibility Criteria
Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) holding a PhD and actively engaged in research abroad.
Required Documents Checklist
Verify readiness before applying for VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik). Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.
Mandatory Documents(3)
Check off as readyKeep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.
Worried About Application Rejection for VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik)?
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
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Application Effort & Process Friction
Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.
Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.
How to Apply
- 1
Eligible diaspora scientists (NRI/OCI/PIO) submit online joint proposal with an Indian host faculty researcher on the DST e-PMS portal (onlinedst.gov.in).
- 2
Proposal specifies collaborative research plan in one of 18 identified S&T frontier verticals (Quantum Tech, AI, Renewable Energy, Health, Agriculture, etc.).
- 3
Apex scientific committee chaired by Secretary DST reviews peer evaluation scores.
- 4
Sanction letter issued detailing fellowship grant and research contingency.
- 5
Fellow spends 1-2 months annually conducting collaborative research and mentoring PhD scholars at the host Indian lab.
✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist
⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These
Applicants without doctoral degree, non-diaspora status, or lack of active tenure-track appointment in an overseas university/R&D lab.
Official Government Application Portal
You will be redirected to the secure official portal: dst.gov.in
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Field-tested recommendations from administrative grievance circulars to avoid rejections and processing stalls.
Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)
Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.
What is the financial remuneration under the VAIBHAV Fellowship?
VAIBHAV fellows receive a fellowship grant of ₹4,00,000 per month during their research residency in India, plus economy airfare and accommodation.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗What is the minimum and maximum duration of stay in India per year?
The fellow must spend a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 2 months per year in the host Indian institution for up to 3 consecutive years.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Which Indian institutions can host a VAIBHAV fellow?
Recognized higher education institutions, national laboratories (CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DRDO, DAE), and central universities with established research infrastructure can host fellows.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Who is eligible to apply for VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik)?
Eligible applicants must satisfy official government criteria for VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik). Conditions: Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), or Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) holding a PhD and actively engaged in research abroad..
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can I track my VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik) application status?
Application status for VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik) can typically be tracked through the official portal at dst.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 VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik) 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 VAIBHAV Fellowship Scheme (Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik) 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
Applicants without doctoral degree, non-diaspora status, or lack of active tenure-track appointment in an overseas university/R&D lab.
Editorial Verification & Change Log
| Date | Field | Description / Update | Source Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-18 | scheme_type | cs | Official Source ↗ |
| 2026-09-21 | initial_verification | Baseline verification of VAIBHAV Fellowship guidelines, ₹4 lakh monthly stipend structure, and 18 scientific frontier verticals. | Official Source ↗ |
⚖Compare with Similar Schemes
Side-by-side eligibility, benefit, and effort comparison:
Application Window & Deadlines
Annual international call for proposals on DST e-PMS portal
🛟Grievance & RTI Channels
Scheme Intelligence
How is this calculated? ↗Verified 8d ago from .gov.in source
Requires documentation or office visit
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📅Scheme Milestone Timeline
Baseline verification of VAIBHAV Fellowship guidelines, ₹4 lakh monthly stipend ...
Official Source ↗Schemes You Can Stack With This
Complementary programs with non-conflicting eligibility that you can claim concurrently:
Official Helpline & Nodal Offices
International Cooperation Division, Department of Science and Technology
Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
Helpline: 011-26590445
Jurisdiction: National (All-India)Notice a Discrepancy?
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Verification Metadata
Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-10-12 against official government documentation.
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