AI SummaryMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology runs Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT with a dedicated Young Faculty Research Fellowship component. This scheme gives financial support to young faculty members at recognized institutions across India for research in ESDM and IT or ITES sectors. The fellowship offers a monthly stipend of ₹20,000 along with a yearly research contingency grant of ₹5 lakh for up to five years.
Phase-II of the scheme was launched in 2021 for nine years with a total outlay of ₹481.93 crore. Under this phase, 50 Young Faculty Research Fellowships are to be awarded. As of now, 11 YFRFs have been given to selected candidates. Phase-I which ended in December 2025 saw 158 YFRFs awarded, 1,012 PhDs completed and over 5,750 research publications produced.
Young Faculty Research Fellowship Under Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme
The Young Faculty Research Fellowship works as a specialised component of the broader Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT. Digital India Corporation implements this under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The main aim is to build research strength in areas like semiconductor design, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cyber security, 5G communications and other emerging technology fields.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Young Faculty Research Fellowships |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Science, IT & Communications, Education & Learning |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual, University / Institution |
| Sub Category | Research & Development, Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend, Universities and higher education |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology |
| Implementing Agency | Digital India Corporation |
| Tags | Visvesvaraya PhD, Electronics And IT, Young Faculty, Research, Fellowship |
Benefits
This scheme offers financial assistance to help researchers focus on their work without funding worries.
| Benefit Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Research Fellowship | ₹20,000 per month |
| Research Contingency Grant | ₹5,00,000 per year |
You can use the Research Contingency Grant for minor equipment, consumables, and domestic travel. Your host institution should provide the necessary administrative and infrastructural support. This fellowship is tenable only in India and must be implemented at a recognized academic or research institution.
Important points to remember:
You should not receive any other fellowship from any government or non-government source during this tenure. Each fellowship is non-transferrable, and you must carry out your research work at the same institution through which your proposal was submitted. The fellowship is a temporary assignment for a maximum of 5 years, starting with an initial 2-year term with potential extensions based on your performance reviews.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:
- You should be an Indian citizen.
- You must hold a PhD degree from a recognized university with a first-class academic record at all levels.
- You should hold a regular position at your institution and be actively engaged in research.
- You should be no older than 40 years on the date of application.
- You may avail of this fellowship only once in your career.
- You should not be receiving any other research fellowship.
- Your institution must submit your proposal, as you cannot apply individually.
- Each institution can nominate up to three candidates in each round.
Discontinuation of Fellowship:
The PhD Cell at Digital India Corporation will review your performance annually. If you wish to discontinue, you should provide one month notice through your institution. The fellowship may be stopped if your progress is insufficient, funds are misused, or guidelines are violated.
Application Process
Application Steps
This is an institutional scheme, so your institution must submit your nomination against an official Call for Proposal. You should follow these instructions:
STEP 1 - Monitor the official web portal for notifications regarding the call for applications.
STEP 2 - Coordinate with your institution to prepare a proposal that defines clear objectives, outcomes, and deliverables.
STEP 3 - Ensure your institution submits the nomination through the online portal.
STEP 4 - The PhD Cell will evaluate nominations based on suitability and the number of applications received. Selection is not guaranteed based solely on eligibility, as the process is competitive.
You may refer to the User Manual for detailed technical guidance.
Documents
Since this is an institutional scheme, you should contact the research department or administrative office of your host institution for the required documents list. They will provide the necessary templates and handle the submission process according to the active call for proposals.
References
Scheme Details on MeitY Website
Official Website - Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme
FAQ's
What is the main objective of the YFRF scheme?
The main objective is to encourage high-quality research in emerging areas of ESDM and IT or ITES by supporting talented young faculty members.
How many fellowships are awarded under this scheme?
A total of 50 fellowships are available under Phase-II of the scheme.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship lasts for an initial period of 2 years and can be extended up to a maximum of 5 years, depending on your performance.
Which institutions are eligible to participate?
Please check the official eligibility page for details.
What support is provided?
You receive a monthly fellowship of ₹20,000 in addition to your salary, plus a Research Contingency Grant of ₹5,00,000 per year.
Can faculty from private institutions apply?
Yes, provided you and your institution meet all the criteria outlined in the guidelines.
Can I hold another fellowship simultaneously?
No, you must choose only one fellowship.
How do I apply for the fellowship?
Your institution must submit your nomination when the PhD Cell announces the call for proposals.
What are the research areas?
The scheme focuses on ESDM and IT or ITES research including areas like AI, quantum computing, semiconductor design, cyber security and 5G communications.
Is the fellowship tenable outside India?
No, you must conduct your research within India.
Is there an age limit?
Yes, you must be 40 years of age or younger at the time of application.
Can I apply if I have received this fellowship before?
No, you can avail of this fellowship only once in your career.
Can I apply as an individual?
No, your institution must submit the application on your behalf.
What is the new NSP portal onboarding process for 2026?
The National Scholarship Portal opened for Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme onboarding from 27 March 2026. Already selected PhD candidates, PDF and YFRF awardees at host institutions are eligible. One Time Registration (OTR) is required which can be generated at the OTR application portal.
What were the Phase-I achievements of the scheme?
Phase-I completed in December 2025 with 1,012 PhDs awarded (823 full-time, 189 part-time), 25 theses submitted, 158 YFRFs given, 5,750 publications and 90 patents filed.