CSIR-UGC JRF-NET Fellowship
CSIR-HRDG (Human Resource Development Group)
Application deadline
Check the official page
Overview
The CSIR-UGC JRF-NET Fellowship is given by the Human Resource Development Group (HRDG) of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. It funds young researchers who want to do full-time research in Science & Technology or Medical Sciences at Indian universities, IITs, national laboratories and other recognised institutions.
You qualify by clearing the Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination, which is held about twice a year and conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Applications are made online at csirnet.nta.ac.in.
Who can apply: General/Unreserved/General-EWS candidates need at least 55% marks in a Master's degree; OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third-gender candidates need at least 50%. Students in their final year may apply provisionally. Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree need at least 75% marks in aggregate (with relaxation for reserved categories). For JRF, the age limit is not more than 30 years as on the 1st day of the month in which the exam is concluded, with up to 5 years' relaxation for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, third-gender and women candidates. Only Indian citizens residing in India are eligible, and the fellowship is tenable only in India.
What you get: Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years, plus a yearly contingency grant of Rs 20,000. On satisfactory progress you become an SRF on Rs 42,000 per month. The total tenure as JRF plus SRF will not exceed five years.
At a glance
| Who can apply | UG, PG, PhD |
|---|---|
| Streams | Science, Technology, Medical Sciences |
| Category | All |
| Age | up to 30 years |
| Income limit | — |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Rs 37,000 per month as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) for the first two years, plus an annual contingency grant of Rs 20,000. After a satisfactory progress assessment, the fellow is upgraded to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) on Rs 42,000 per month from the 3rd year. |
| Duration | The total tenure as JRF plus SRF (NET) will not exceed five years. |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | See official page |
| Opened | — |
How you're selected
Selection is through the Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination. Online applications are invited normally twice a year on an all-India basis, and the exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The list of subjects, pattern of examination and marking scheme are notified through the Information Bulletin on csirnet.nta.ac.in. Syllabus and model question papers are published on csirhrdg.res.in. After qualifying, the fellow must register for a PhD within two years of joining, and is assessed by a three-member expert committee for upgradation to SRF.
FAQs
Who can apply for the CSIR-UGC JRF-NET Fellowship? Indian citizens living in India who have (or are completing) a Master's degree with at least 55% marks (50% for OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD and third-gender candidates). Candidates with a 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree need at least 75% marks in aggregate, with relaxation for reserved categories. For JRF, you must not be more than 30 years old as on the 1st day of the month in which the exam is concluded; up to 5 years' age relaxation is given to OBC-NCL, SC, ST, PwD, third-gender and women candidates.
How much money do I get? Rs 37,000 per month for the first two years as JRF, plus an annual contingency grant of Rs 20,000 (paid back to you as reimbursement). If your progress is found satisfactory and you have registered for a PhD, you are upgraded to SRF on Rs 42,000 per month from the third year.
How long does the fellowship last? The total tenure as JRF plus SRF (NET) will not exceed five years. This includes any fellowship already taken from UGC, DST, DBT, ICMR, ICAR or another funding agency.
What is the last date to apply? We could not confirm a current last date from the official page. Online applications for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET are invited normally twice a year, and the dates are announced at csirnet.nta.ac.in. Please check the official notification there before applying.
How do I apply? You apply online for the Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination at https://csirnet.nta.ac.in when the application window opens. The syllabus and model question papers are available on the CSIR-HRDG website.
Do I have to register for a PhD? Yes. CSIR Junior Research Fellows must register for a PhD within two years of joining the fellowship. If you do not, you will not be upgraded to SRF, and the fellowship can be terminated if you are still not registered by the end of the third year.
Can I take another job while on the fellowship? No. You have to be a full-time researcher. Any paid or honorary, part-time or full-time employment or private practice is not allowed during the fellowship.