Photo: Timothy A. Gonsalves, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Central Government’s Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) is one of India’s most prestigious PhD fellowships. It is a scheme of the Ministry of Education, coordinated by IIT Madras. The fellowship is for talented students doing a PhD in science, engineering and technology. It pays ₹70,000 a month for the first 2 years, ₹75,000 in the third year and ₹80,000 in the fourth and fifth years, plus a ₹2 lakh yearly research grant — for a maximum of 5 years.
How much money is given
Under PMRF, the fellowship amount rises with the year of the PhD. Year 1 pays ₹70,000 a month, Year 2 pays ₹70,000 a month, Year 3 pays ₹75,000 a month, Year 4 pays ₹80,000 a month and Year 5 pays ₹80,000 a month. A research grant of ₹2 lakh every year is also given, totalling ₹10 lakh over 5 years, for travel, equipment, software, books and research material. Over 5 years, the fellowship can total ₹45 lakh and the grant ₹10 lakh — up to ₹55 lakh in all. The amount comes directly into the bank account (DBT). Note: the full amount is paid only on completing the 5-year tenure with a satisfactory yearly review.
Who can apply
There are two entry channels for PMRF — Direct Entry and Lateral Entry. For Direct Entry, the applicant should have completed, or be in the final year of, a 4–5 year UG degree, a 5 year integrated MTech, a 2 year MSc or a 5 year dual degree in Science and Technology from IISc, IITs, NITs, IISERs, IIEST or centrally funded IIITs, with a CGPA of 8.0+. The second route is for GATE-qualified students pursuing or having completed an MTech or MS (by research) at a PMRF Granting Institution, with a CGPA of 8.0+ after the first semester. Lateral Entry is for students who have completed at least 4 full-semester PhD courses with an aggregate CGPA of 8.5 or more. The applicant must be an Indian national taking admission in a PhD at a PMRF Granting Institution. No age limit has been fixed.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the pmrf.in portal. First take admission in a PhD at your institution — PMRF takes no direct applications; the institution nominates the candidate and selection happens nationally. Then fill the application on portal.pmrf.in and upload the research proposal, recommendation letters, marksheet and GATE score. Applications are invited twice a year — in the May and December cycles. The May 2026 cycle is closed. Never pay anyone for applying; selection rests on performance, the research proposal and recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the PMRF Fellowship? A: ₹70,000 a month for the first 2 years, ₹75,000 in the third year and ₹80,000 in the fourth and fifth years, plus a ₹2 lakh yearly research grant.
Q2: For how many years is the fellowship given? A: For a maximum of 5 years — the fellowship alone can total ₹45 lakh.
Q3: Who can apply? A: Students with CGPA 8.0+ (Direct Entry), or PhD students with 4 courses completed and CGPA 8.5+ (Lateral Entry).
Q4: Where do I apply? A: On pmrf.in; after institute nomination, fill it on portal.pmrf.in — check the December 2026 dates there.
Useful links
- PMRF Official Portal: https://www.pmrf.in/
- PMRF Application Portal: https://portal.pmrf.in/
- PMRF on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pmfdr
- Also see the DST INSPIRE Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-inspire-fellowship-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
