Union HRD Minister announces modifications in PMRF Scheme

Union Human Resource Development(HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ announced various modifications(amendments) in the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship(PMRF)  Scheme to boost research in the country & to enable more students to avail the benefit under the  scheme.

Changes and Implications

1. Now for the students from any recognised institute/ university (other than IISc/ IITs/NITs/IISERs/IIEST/CF IIITs), the requirement of GATE Score is reduced to 650 from 750 apart from minimum CGPA of 8 or equivalent.
2. Now, there will be two channels of entries, direct entry and lateral entry.
3. Under the lateral entry, candidates pursuing PhD in any PMRF granting institution can apply for the PMRF scheme if he/she satisfies certain conditions, as prescribed.
4. To boost research a dedicated Division is being created in the ministry with the name of “Research and Innovation Division”. This division will be headed by a director who will be coordinating research work of various institutions coming under MHRD.

Selection

Cadidates are selected for the fellowship through a rigorous selection process.

1. For direct entry, applicants are judged on metrics including research exposure, publications, performance in international academic competitions, grades and recommendation letters.
2. For lateral entry, the metrics are a strong research proposal, publications record and grades. Due weightage will also be given to publication in reputed journals/conferences.

PMRF

• The scheme was announced in the Budget 2018-19.
• The institutes which can offer PMRF include all the IITs, all the IISERs, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and some of the top Central Universities/NITs that offer science and/or technology degrees.
• To attract the talent pool of the country to doctoral (Ph.D.) programs of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for carrying out research in cutting edge science and technology domains, with focus on national priorities.
• Under this, there is a plan to give fellowship to one thousand students every year.
• 119 students were selected in the year 2019.
• Students who are successful in the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship Scheme are given fellowships of up to 80,000 to students under this fellowship.
• Under this scheme, 70,000 fellowships are given to the students every month for the first two years.
• There is a fellowship of Rs 75,000 for the third year and Rs 80,000 every month in the fourth and fifth year.

UPSC