CSIR Research Associateship (RA)
CSIR-HRDG (Human Resource Development Group)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
The CSIR Research Associateship (RA) is a research fellowship from the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), run by its Human Resource Development Group (HRDG). It supports young researchers who want to do full-time research in science, engineering, medicine or technology at Indian universities, IITs, post-graduate colleges, CSIR laboratories and other recognised research institutions.
You can apply if you have a PhD in a science or engineering subject, or an MD/MS/MDS in a medical subject, or an ME/MTech/MPharm/MVSc with three years of R&D experience as on the last date of application. Candidates who have submitted their PhD thesis can also apply, but the viva-voce must be completed before the award offer expires. You also need at least one research paper in a standard refereed journal listed in Journal Citation Reports (JCR). The upper age limit is 35 years, relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST, physically handicapped and women applicants, and by 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer). Only Indian citizens living in India are eligible.
The stipend is a fixed Rs. 58,000, Rs. 61,000 or Rs. 67,000 a month, usually Rs. 58,000. Your institution also gets Rs. 20,000 a year as a contingency grant.
CSIR invites online applications once a year through a press advertisement, announced on www.csirhrdg.res.in. After applying online, you send a printed copy forwarded by your proposed supervisor and Head of Department. Selection is by interview.
At a glance
| Who can apply | PG, PhD |
|---|---|
| Streams | Science, Engineering, Medicine, Technology |
| Category | All |
| Age | up to 35 years |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Monthly consolidated stipend of Rs. 58,000, Rs. 61,000 or Rs. 67,000 (normally fixed at Rs. 58,000), paid by Direct Benefit Transfer. House Rent Allowance is allowed as per the host institution's rules if hostel accommodation is not provided. The host University/Institution also gets an annual contingent grant of Rs. 20,000 per associate. |
| Duration | Tenable initially for one year, extendable at CSIR's discretion after a yearly progress assessment. Total tenure of RA is 3 years, including any associateship from UGC/DST/ICMR/ICAR and any SRF (Extended) period awarded by CSIR. |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
How you're selected
Applications are screened first, then shortlisted candidates are called for an interview. As the official page states: "Selection will be made through interview whereby the assessment of academic record and published/project work is tested by discipline-wise high-level expert Committees." Meeting the eligibility rules alone does not guarantee an interview call. The award letter stays valid for six months from the date mentioned in it, and no extension beyond six months is given.
FAQs
Who can apply for the CSIR Research Associateship? Indian citizens living in India who hold a PhD in science or engineering, or an MD/MS/MDS in a medical subject, or an ME/MTech/MPharm/MVSc with three years of R&D experience as on the last date of application. Candidates whose PhD thesis is submitted can also apply, provided the viva-voce is done before the award offer expires.
Do I need a research paper to apply? Yes. The official guidelines say you "must have at least one research publication in standard refereed journal as listed in Journal Citation Reports (JCR)".
How much money do I get? A consolidated monthly stipend of Rs. 58,000, Rs. 61,000 or Rs. 67,000 (fixed). It is normally set at Rs. 58,000; a higher rate is given only if the Selection Committee recommends it with strong justification and the DG, CSIR approves. HRA is allowed as per the host institution's rules if you are not given hostel accommodation. Your institution separately receives Rs. 20,000 a year as contingency grant.
What is the age limit? The upper age limit is 35 years. It is relaxed by up to 5 years for SC/ST, physically handicapped and women applicants, and by 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates.
What is the last date to apply? CSIR does not keep a fixed yearly date on this page. Applications are invited every year through a press advertisement, and the dates are announced on the CSIR-HRDG website. We could not verify an open window for the current cycle, so please check the official notification on www.csirhrdg.res.in before applying.
How do I apply? Apply online when CSIR advertises the RA cycle on its website. Then print the completed online application and submit the hard copy through your proposed Supervisor and the Head of the Department/Institution, within the date given in the advertisement.
Can it be extended? Yes. The associateship is given for one year at first and may be extended by CSIR after a yearly progress review by an expert committee. The total tenure is 3 years, counting any associateship already taken from UGC/DST/ICMR/ICAR and any SRF (Extended) period from CSIR.