CSIR SRF-Direct (Senior Research Fellowship)
CSIR-HRDG (Human Resource Development Group)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
CSIR SRF-Direct is a Senior Research Fellowship given directly by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) through its Human Resource Development Group. It supports young researchers who already have some research experience and want to work full time on a research problem under an expert guide.
The fellowship is for Indian citizens living in India. You can apply if you have an MSc, BE or BTech with at least 55% marks, one SCI journal publication and two years of research experience after that degree; or an MTech/ME with at least 60% marks; or a BE/BTech with at least 60% marks and two years of research experience; or MBBS/BDS with at least 60% marks and a one-year internship; or BPharm/BVSc/BSc(Ag) with 55% marks, one SCI paper and three years of research experience; or MPharm/MVSc/MSc(Ag) with 55% marks, one SCI paper and one year of research experience. The upper age limit is 32 years, relaxed by 5 years for SC/ST, physically handicapped and women applicants and by 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer).
Selected fellows get Rs. 42,000 per month for the full tenure, and their institute gets Rs. 20,000 a year as contingency. The tenure is 2 years, extendable to a 3rd year.
CSIR invites online applications once a year through a press advertisement and on csirhrdg.res.in. You apply online and then send the signed hard copy through your proposed supervisor and head of department.
At a glance
| Who can apply | UG, PG, PhD |
|---|---|
| Streams | Science, Engineering, Technology, Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science, Agriculture |
| Category | All |
| Age | up to 32 years |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Stipend of Rs. 42,000 per month for the whole tenure, plus an annual contingency grant of Rs. 20,000 paid to your university or institute. Research Fellows also get Rs. 3,000 (lump sum) on submitting the PhD thesis in e-form. HRA and medical facilities as per host institution rules. |
| Duration | 2 years initially; the 3rd year may be granted by CSIR on an expert committee's recommendation. Total tenure as JRF and SRF-Direct together cannot exceed 5 years. |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
How you're selected
Applications are screened first. Only shortlisted candidates are called for an interview. Selection is made through an interview in which discipline-wise high-level expert committees assess your academic record and published or project work. Merely meeting the eligibility rules does not guarantee an interview call.
FAQs
Who can apply for CSIR SRF-Direct?
Indian citizens living in India who hold one of the listed degrees with the required marks, publication and research experience. For example, an MSc/BE/BTech with at least 55% marks, one SCI journal paper and two years of research experience after that degree, or an MTech/ME with at least 60% marks. MBBS/BDS, BPharm/BVSc/BSc(Ag) and MPharm/MVSc/MSc(Ag) holders can also apply under their own conditions.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. The upper age limit is 32 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.
How much money do I get?
Rs. 42,000 per month for the entire tenure of the fellowship. Your university or institute also receives an annual contingency grant of Rs. 20,000 for your research work. You get Rs. 3,000 extra (one time) when you submit your PhD thesis in e-form. The stipend is exempt from income tax under Section 10(16) of the Income Tax Act.
How long does the fellowship last? Can it be extended?
The tenure is 2 years to begin with. A 3rd year can be granted by CSIR's EMR Division after a three-member expert committee recommends it, with a progress report and publications. Your total time as JRF plus SRF-Direct cannot cross 5 years. The fellowship ends on the date of your PhD viva-voce or when the tenure finishes, whichever is earlier.
What is the last date to apply?
CSIR has not published a confirmed last date for the current cycle on its SRF-Direct page. Applications are invited once every year through a press advertisement, and the dates are announced on csirhrdg.res.in. Please check the official notification for the exact last date.
How do I apply?
You apply online when CSIR opens the application link announced in its yearly advertisement. After applying online, print the completed application and send the hard copy through your proposed supervisor and the head of your department or institution, within the date given in the advertisement.
How are candidates selected?
Applications are screened first, and only shortlisted candidates are called for an interview. Discipline-wise high-level expert committees judge your academic record and your published or project work. CSIR's decision is final. If you are selected, the award letter is valid for six months and no extension beyond six months is given.