CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) - GATE
CSIR-HRDG (Human Resource Development Group)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
The CSIR JRF-GATE Fellowship is run by the Human Resource Development Group (HRDG) of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. It helps engineering and pharmacy graduates do a PhD while working at a CSIR laboratory.
Who it is for: You need a BE or B.Tech degree in an engineering subject with a valid GATE score, or a B.Pharm degree with GPAT qualified. If your B.Tech is in Biotechnology, you also need at least 85.00 percentile in GATE. The upper age limit is 28 years, relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST, women and physically handicapped applicants, and by 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer). People who already hold an ME/M.Tech degree, and those eligible for CSIR-SRF-Direct, cannot apply. Only Indian citizens living in India are eligible.
What you get: Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years. After a progress review, you are upgraded to SRF-GATE and get Rs 42,000 per month from the 3rd year. Your institution also gets Rs 20,000 a year as a contingency grant. The total tenure is five years, in which you are expected to finish your PhD. The stipend is exempt from income tax under Section 10(16).
How to apply: There is no single online form. Each CSIR laboratory advertises these fellowships and selects candidates by interview. Watch the website of the CSIR lab you want to join, and read the official CSIR-HRDG guidelines before applying.
At a glance
| Who can apply | UG, PhD |
|---|---|
| Streams | Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, Biotechnology |
| Category | All |
| Age | up to 28 years |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years as JRF, then Rs 42,000 per month as SRF from the 3rd year (subject to assessment). The host institution also gets an annual contingency grant of Rs 20,000 per fellow. Fellows get Rs 3,000 extra (lump sum) on submitting the PhD thesis in e-form. |
| Duration | Up to 5 years in total (2 years as JRF-GATE, then upgraded to SRF-GATE for the remaining years) |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- GATE or GPAT scorecard / certificate
- Graduate and postgraduate mark sheets
- Date of birth certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- PhD / Integrated PhD enrolment or registration proof
- Joining report forwarded through the guide and Director of the institute
- Signed undertaking on acceptance of the fellowship
How you're selected
Each CSIR laboratory advertises and selects candidates itself. A committee constituted by the Director interviews applicants. The recommendations, approved by the Director, are sent to the Head, HRDG with supporting documents. CSIR-HRDG then verifies the documents and issues a formal award letter. Laboratories in the Integrated M.Tech.-PhD programme of AcSIR may award up to 5 fellowships each; other CSIR laboratories up to 2 each year. Not more than 120 JRF-GATE fellowships are awarded in a year.
FAQs
Who can apply for the CSIR JRF-GATE Fellowship? BE/B.Tech graduates in an engineering discipline with a valid GATE score, B.Pharm graduates who have qualified GPAT, or B.Tech (Biotechnology) graduates with a valid GATE score and at least 85.00 percentile in GATE. You must be an Indian citizen living in India.
Who is not eligible? Candidates who already have an ME or M.Tech degree, and anyone eligible for CSIR-SRF-Direct, cannot apply for JRF-GATE.
Is there an age limit? Yes. The upper age limit is 28 years. It is relaxed by up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates, women and physically handicapped applicants, and by 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates.
How much money do I get? Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years as JRF. From the 3rd year, after a satisfactory progress review by an expert committee, you are upgraded to SRF-GATE and get Rs 42,000 per month. Your institution also receives Rs 20,000 a year as a contingency grant.
What is the last date to apply? CSIR-HRDG does not publish one common last date for this scheme. Individual CSIR laboratories advertise the vacancies and set their own dates. Please check the official notification of the CSIR lab you are interested in.
How do I apply, and can the fellowship be extended? You apply to a CSIR laboratory when it advertises JRF-GATE positions; selection is by interview before a committee set up by the Director. The fellowship continues year to year based on your annual progress report, and the total JRF plus SRF tenure cannot go beyond five years.