Prime Minister's Research Fellowship PMRF 2026: Eligibility, Stipend

Key facts

Offered by

Ministry of Education, Government of India

Stipend

Rs 70,000 per month in years one and two, Rs 75,000 per month in year three and Rs 80,000 per month in years four and five, plus a research grant of Rs 2 lakh per year up to Rs 10 lakh over five years

Duration

Five years

Location

PMRF granting institutes across India, including the IISc, IITs, NITs, IISERs and centrally funded IIITs

The Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship is the most richly funded doctoral fellowship the Government of India offers. It was created to keep the country’s strongest engineering and science graduates doing research in India rather than leaving for doctoral programmes abroad, and the stipend is set well above the standard national fellowship rates to make that case financially.

There are two ways in. Direct entry is for students still finishing a bachelors, integrated masters or masters degree who then take admission into a PhD at a participating institute. Lateral entry is for students already registered in a PhD at such an institute, within twelve or twenty four months of joining depending on the degree they entered with, and it demands a higher course grade average. Every fellow also receives an annual research grant to spend on equipment, conferences and travel. Selection is by review panels at the host institutes.

Who is eligible

Direct entry: completed or in the final year of a four or five year undergraduate degree, five year integrated M.Tech, two year M.Sc or dual degree at an IISc, IIT, NIT, IISER, IIEST or centrally funded IIIT, with a CGPA of at least 8.0 on a 10 point scale

Direct entry from other recognised institutions requires a CGPA of at least 8.0 plus a GATE score of at least 650 in the relevant subject, or a UGC or CSIR JRF rank of 100 or better, or an NBHM fellowship

Lateral entry: already registered in a PhD at a PMRF granting institute, within 12 months of joining with a master's degree or within 24 months of joining with a bachelor's degree

Lateral entry requires an aggregate CGPA of at least 8.5 across at least four full semester courses

Must gain or hold admission to a PhD programme at a PMRF granting institute and be strongly recommended by the host institute

Lateral entry candidates may apply at most twice and may not later switch to the direct entry channel

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for Prime Minister's Research Fellowship?

Final year or completed bachelor's, five-year integrated M.Tech, two-year M.Sc, or dual degree students with CGPA 8.0+ from IISc, IITs, NITs, IISERs, or centrally funded IIITs. Non-PMRF institute graduates need CGPA 8.0+ and GATE 650+, UGC/CSIR JRF rank 100+, or NBHM fellowship.

How much money do PMRF fellows receive per month?

Rs 70,000 monthly in years one and two, Rs 75,000 in year three, and Rs 80,000 in years four and five. Additionally, fellows receive Rs 2 lakh annual research grant, totalling Rs 10 lakh over five years.

What is lateral entry in PMRF?

Lateral entry allows PhD students already registered at PMRF institutes to apply within 12 months (master's degree entry) or 24 months (bachelor's degree entry) of joining. Requires aggregate CGPA 8.5+ across at least four full semester courses.

Can lateral entry PMRF candidates apply twice?

Yes, lateral entry candidates may apply at most twice. However, they cannot switch to the direct entry channel after applying for lateral entry.

Which institutes offer Prime Minister's Research Fellowship?

IISc, all IITs, NITs, IISERs, and centrally funded IIITs across India offer PMRF. Selection is conducted by review panels at individual host institutes.