Photo: Geir Mogen / NTNU, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Swarnajayanti Fellowship is a big support for young Indian scientists who want to advance in basic research. It is a scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The fellowship was started in the golden jubilee year of India, and its name comes from that. It gives young scientists the freedom to take up risky and new research questions without worrying about funds. A selected scientist gets ₹25,000 a month over and above the regular salary and a ₹5 lakh research grant for 5 years. The fellowship is for 5 years and cannot be extended. It is for young scientists with an outstanding research record who are working in frontier areas of science.
How much money is given
The Swarnajayanti Fellowship pays as follows.
- Fellowship: ₹25,000 a month — an extra amount over the regular salary.
- Research grant: ₹5 lakh — for research expenses over the 5-year period.
- Duration: 5 years — this period cannot be extended.
- Regular salary continues — the fellowship is paid over the salary, not in place of it.
- Not with any other Government fellowship — no other Government of India fellowship can be held at the same time.
This amount gives the scientist the freedom to focus fully on research. The grant can be used for research material, equipment, travel and for hiring research assistants.
Who can apply
This fellowship is for young scientists aged 30 to 40 years.
- Must be an Indian national.
- Age between 30 and 40 years.
- A PhD degree in science, engineering or medicine.
- Holding a regular position at a recognised institution in India. Scientists working in universities, IITs, research institutes and government laboratories can apply.
- A proven track record in research — publications and research work are looked at.
- The applicant should not hold any other Government of India fellowship.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the DST ePMS portal onlinedst.gov.in. First register on the portal, then fill the application and upload the PhD certificate, research proposal, list of publications and consent of the institute. Selection is based on the quality of the research proposal and the research record. The call for this fellowship comes every year. Before applying, do check the new call dates and conditions on the DST website, because the rules can change. Never pay anyone for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the Swarnajayanti Fellowship? A: ₹25,000 a month over salary and a ₹5 lakh research grant for 5 years. Q2: For how many years is the fellowship given? A: For 5 years; this period cannot be extended. Q3: What is the age limit? A: 30 to 40 years; the applicant must be an Indian national holding a regular position. Q4: Where do I apply? A: On the DST ePMS portal onlinedst.gov.in; the call comes every year.
Useful links
- DST ePMS portal: https://onlinedst.gov.in/
- DST official website: https://dst.gov.in/
- Swarnajayanti Fellowship on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/sjfs
- Also see the J.C. Bose Fellowship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-jc-bose-fellowship-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
