ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship 2026: Rs 20,000/Month for PhD Scholars

Key facts

Offered by

Indian Council of Social Science Research, Ministry of Education, Government of India

Stipend

Rs 20,000 per month plus a contingency grant of Rs 20,000 per annum for the full term fellowship. A short term fellowship pays the equivalent of six months. A standalone contingency grant of Rs 62,500 is also offered as a one time consolidated payment.

Duration

Two years for the full term fellowship, awarded initially for one year and renewable. Six months for the short term fellowship, or until thesis submission, whichever is earlier.

Location

The applicant's own university or research institute in India

Last date

21 July 2026

The Indian Council of Social Science Research doctoral fellowship supports PhD scholars working in the social sciences, a field where laboratory style funding is scarce and stipends are often thin. It comes in three forms. A full term fellowship runs for two years, a short term fellowship of six months is meant for scholars close to submitting a thesis, and a standalone contingency grant helps with fieldwork and data costs for those who already have a stipend elsewhere.

Applicants must already be registered full time PhD students with a research topic approved by their departmental committee, must hold a qualifying postgraduate result, and normally must have cleared the national eligibility test. The council keeps a small discretionary allowance for exceptional proposals from candidates without it. Applications are filed online with a forwarding letter from the institution and a supervisor certificate, and awards are renewed annually against progress.

Who is eligible

Must be a registered full time PhD student with a research topic approved by the departmental research committee before the deadline

Minimum 55 percent marks at postgraduate level, with 5 percent relaxation for SC, ST, OBC non creamy layer and persons with disability

UGC NET is mandatory, with a discretionary exception of up to 10 percent of awards for outstanding proposals

Maximum age of 40 years on the application deadline, with five years relaxation for SC, ST, OBC non creamy layer and PwD candidates

Must be affiliated to a UGC recognised university, deemed university or institute of national importance

Cannot concurrently hold another major fellowship such as JRF, CSIR, ICMR or an earlier ICSSR award

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship?

You must be a registered full-time PhD student with departmental research committee approval, hold minimum 55% postgraduate marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/PwD), have cleared UGC NET, be maximum 40 years old (45 for SC/ST/OBC/PwD), and be affiliated to a UGC recognised or deemed university.

How much monthly stipend does ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship provide?

The full term fellowship provides Rs 20,000 per month for two years, plus Rs 20,000 annual contingency grant. Short term fellowship covers six months at equivalent rate. A standalone contingency grant of Rs 62,500 is also available as one-time consolidated payment.

What is the last date to apply for ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship?

The application deadline is 21 July 2026. You must submit online with a forwarding letter from your institution and supervisor certificate.

Can I hold ICSSR Fellowship along with JRF or CSIR Fellowship?

No, you cannot concurrently hold another major fellowship such as JRF, CSIR, ICMR or an earlier ICSSR award while receiving this fellowship.

Is UGC NET mandatory for ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship?

UGC NET is normally mandatory. However, ICSSR keeps a discretionary allowance for up to 10 percent of awards for candidates with outstanding research proposals who have not cleared the test.

What is the duration of ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship?

Full term fellowship runs for two years, awarded initially for one year and renewable annually based on progress. Short term fellowship covers six months or until thesis submission, whichever is earlier.