University Grants Commission is running Emeritus Fellowship 2026 for retired teachers who want to keep doing serious research at Indian universities and colleges. Selected fellows get ₹31,000 every month for two years, along with an extra ₹50,000 every year for research costs like books, travel within India, stationery and small equipment.
UGC keeps 200 slots open at any time under this fellowship. Out of these, 100 are kept for science streams and 100 are for humanities, social sciences and languages. Applications are handled fully online through the official Emeritus Fellowship portal at emeritus.ugc.ac.in, which also sits under the main UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in launched in 2026.
Emeritus Fellowship 2026 Application Process
Applications are invited by UGC through a public notice in leading newspapers, Employment News and on the official UGC website. If you are a retired teacher planning to apply, the full process happens online. Here is the step by step way to submit your application.
STEP 1 - Open the official Emeritus Fellowship portal at emeritus.ugc.ac.in or go through the main UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and click on the Emeritus Fellowship link on the homepage.
STEP 2 - Click on the New User or Register option to create your login. Enter a valid email ID, mobile number and a password, then verify your email to activate your account.
STEP 3 - Log in with your new ID and password, then fill the detailed application form with your personal details, past teaching experience, list of publications and your proposed research plan.
STEP 4 - Upload the required documents in the given format and size. This includes your passport size photo, signature, Aadhaar, signed Undertaking Certificate from your host institution and your research proposal.
STEP 5 - Check all the details once, then submit your application and save a copy of the confirmation for your records. Incomplete forms will not be processed, so double check every field before final submit.
Emeritus Fellowship 2026 Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Emeritus Fellowship |
| Launched By | University Grants Commission (UGC) |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Eligible People | Retired teachers of recognised Indian universities and colleges |
| Monthly Honorarium | ₹31,000 per month |
| Annual Contingency Grant | ₹50,000 per year |
| Total Slots | 200 at any time (100 science, 100 humanities/social sciences/languages) |
| Fellowship Duration | 2 years or till age 70, whichever is earlier |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | emeritus.ugc.ac.in / frg.ugc.ac.in |
Benefits Under Emeritus Fellowship
This fellowship gives retired teachers a fixed monthly income so they can focus fully on their research work without money problems. Below is a quick look at what a selected fellow gets during the two year tenure.
| Benefit Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Honorarium | ₹31,000 |
| Annual Contingency Grant | ₹50,000 |
Contingency grant is meant for costs directly linked to your research work. This covers travel within India, books, journals, stationery, postage, consumables and small equipment. Any books or equipment bought using this grant stay with the host institution, not with you. UGC does not fund foreign travel, but you can make one international visit in a year for research purpose with prior approval. Fellows also get the same facilities as regular faculty, such as access to medical benefits, but no housing allowance.
Who Can Apply for Emeritus Fellowship 2026
This fellowship is made for retired teachers who have a strong record of research and published work during their teaching career. There is no fixed salary or pay scale bar. Selection is fully based on the quality of your past work and your proposed research plan.
- You should be a retired teacher from a university, college or institution recognised under section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act 1956, deemed universities, government funded institutions or centres of national importance.
- You should have a clear time bound research plan that can be finished within two years, since the fellowship cannot be extended.
- Your age should not cross 70 years during the fellowship tenure. If you turn 70 in between, the fellowship ends on that date.
For example, a retired sociology professor aged 68 with a solid two year research plan can apply and finish the work before turning 70.
Documents Required for Application
Keep the following documents ready before you start filling the online form. All documents should be scanned copies in the format and size fixed on the portal.
- Aadhaar card for identity check.
- Signed Undertaking Certificate from your proposed research centre, authorised by the Head of Department and the Registrar or Principal.
- Award Letter and a Joining Report with your contact details and passport photo, submitted after selection.
- Continuation Certificate that needs to be submitted every quarter during the fellowship.
- Yearly progress report and a proper account of how the contingency grant was used.
Joining, Transfer and Reporting Rules
After you receive the award letter, you should join the fellowship within 3 months. If you do not join within this period, your award will be cancelled. Fellowship becomes active from 1st April of the selection year or your actual joining date, whichever is later. During your tenure, you should submit a quarterly Continuation Certificate and a yearly progress report along with a full account of your contingency grant use.
Only one change of research location is allowed during the full tenure, and even that needs prior approval from your host institution and UGC. If you want to resign, you should route your request through your institution to UGC, and grants will be released only up to the date of resignation.
When Emeritus Fellowship Can Be Cancelled
UGC can cancel the award in a few clear situations. This includes cases where you are found not eligible at any stage, where you gave false information in the application, or where there is proven misconduct. If your research progress is judged not good enough during the yearly review, the fellowship can also be stopped mid way.
References
If you are looking for more study and research support options, also check our guide on Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme and the full list of State Wise Scholarships for Indian Students.
FAQ's
Who runs the Emeritus Fellowship scheme?
Emeritus Fellowship is run by the University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. All applications, selections and grants are handled by UGC directly.
How much money does a fellow get every month?
A selected fellow gets a monthly honorarium of ₹31,000 for the full two year period. Along with this, ₹50,000 per year is given as a contingency grant for research related costs like books, travel and stationery.
Can school teachers apply for this fellowship?
No, this fellowship is only for retired teachers from recognised universities, colleges and institutions. School teachers are not covered under this scheme.
Is there any salary or pay scale limit for eligibility?
No, there is no salary or pay scale limit. Selection is fully based on the quality of your past research work and the research plan you propose for the two year period.
Can the fellowship be extended beyond two years?
No, Emeritus Fellowship cannot be extended in any case. The maximum tenure is two years, and if you turn 70 in between, it ends on your 70th birthday.
What is the official website to apply for Emeritus Fellowship 2026?
You can apply online through the official Emeritus Fellowship portal at emeritus.ugc.ac.in, which is also linked from the main UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in.