Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Post-Doctoral Fellowships

Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDF) under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT are now part of Phase-II, which the government is running with a budget of ₹481.93 crore for 9 years. Phase-I of the scheme ended in December 2025, and Phase-II is the current round where 225 researchers get a one year fellowship for full time research work in Electronics and IT fields.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) runs this scheme through Digital India Corporation. The idea is simple: give bright researchers money support so they can focus completely on research in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sectors.

There is a new update for 2026. National Scholarship Portal (NSP) opened for the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme from 27 March 2026. Candidates who are already selected for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship at their host institution can now onboard on the NSP portal. One Time Registration (OTR) is required to get the fellowship amount.

Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Post-Doctoral Fellowships - Introduction

Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDF) supports talented researchers with 225 fellowships for one year. It is a full time, non-transferable, temporary position that must be done in India only. The fellowship amount is paid directly to the bank account of the selected researcher.

The scheme is made for Indian citizens with a strong research record. It promotes specialized study in emerging Electronics and IT sectors by providing financial grants for full time research work across approved Indian institutions. Phase-I of the scheme, with an outlay of ₹466 crore, finished in December 2025, and Phase-II is now live with a budget of ₹481.93 crore for 9 years.

Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme is a family of fellowships. Besides this Post-Doctoral Fellowship, the scheme also covers Full Time PhD Candidates, Part Time PhD Candidates and Young Faculty Research Fellowships. Each part has its own eligibility and benefit details, so check the one that fits your profile.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme provides complete support to help researchers focus fully on their research work:

The contingency grant is given on a pro-rata basis and can be used for consumables, minor equipment, and research-related items. Travel support up to ₹2.10 Lakh is available for research-related travel, but the PhD Cell must approve it before the travel happens.

Selected researchers get the monthly fellowship amount directly in their bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer process. As this is a full time assignment, you should not hold any other fellowship from government or private sources. Your post-doctoral position is non-transferable and must be completed at your host institution.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDF), you should meet the following criteria:

1. You must be an Indian citizen.
2. You should hold a PhD degree from a recognized university with a first-class record at all academic levels.
3. You must have completed your PhD within the last 5 years by the date of your application.
4. You should be under 40 years of age at the time of applying to your host institution.
5. You must have a research proposal that defines clear outcomes and deliverables.
6. You should not be in regular employment; if you hold a temporary research role, you will need to resign if selected.
7. Preference is given to those who work on industry-specific problems and have strong industry linkages.
8. You should not have earned your PhD from the institution where you intend to undertake this fellowship.

For example, if Rohan completed his PhD from IIT Delhi in 2022, he would need to apply for a fellowship at a different eligible institution to be considered for this scheme.

Application Process

The application for Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT: Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDF) follows an institutional model. You should coordinate directly with your desired academic or research institution, because there is no direct application from individual candidates to the PhD Cell.

STEP 1 - Eligible institutions submit proposals to the PhD Cell to request PDF seats. Institutions that get seats then advertise their openings, so keep checking the official portal and the notification page of your preferred institution.

STEP 2 - Once the PhD Cell, Digital India Corporation and MeitY announce a call for proposals, institutions release their own application forms and timelines. Contact your host institution's fellowship coordinator to get the exact application form and last date.

STEP 3 - Submit your application with the research proposal and required documents to the host institution. The institution selects candidates based on the guidelines provided by the Ministry and then forwards the selected names to the PhD Cell.

STEP 4 - If you are selected, create your One Time Registration (OTR) on the NSP OTR page and onboard on the National Scholarship Portal, which is open for this scheme from 27 March 2026. Your institute verifies your profile on the portal, and then the fellowship amount is transferred to your bank account every month.

Documents

Because this is an institutional process, documentation requirements may vary by university or research center. You should contact your host institution's fellowship coordinator to get an accurate list of required documents. Generally, you should be prepared to provide:

1. Your PhD degree certificate and mark sheets.
2. A detailed research proposal with objectives and expected deliverables.
3. Your updated Curriculum Vitae showing your research publications and awards.
4. Proof of age and Indian citizenship.
5. A letter or consent from your designated Mentor or Guide at the host institution.
6. Aadhaar number and bank account details for the fellowship payment.

For any help with the application or the portal, you can contact the PhD Cell support team at +91-11-24301284 or write to phd-scheme@digitalindia.gov.in. The user support manual on the official portal also explains how to use the system.

References

• Scheme Details on MeitY Website
• Official Guidelines PDF
• Official Portal
• User Support Manual
• National Scholarship Portal - Fellowship Page
• NSP One Time Registration (OTR)

FAQ's

Who can apply for these PDF seats?

Individual applicants must apply through eligible host institutions. You cannot submit an application directly to the PhD Cell. Institutions advertise their PDF seats, and you apply to the institution of your choice.

What is the upper age limit?

You must be 40 years of age or younger on the date of your application.

Can I apply to the same institution where I got my PhD?

No, the fellowship rules state that you must undertake your post-doctoral research at a different institution than the one where you completed your PhD.

Are regular employees eligible?

No, you cannot be a regular employee. If you hold a temporary position, you must be willing to relinquish your role if you are selected for this fellowship.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship is awarded for an initial period of one year (12 months), which may be extended based on your performance review.

What happens if I receive another fellowship?

This is a full-time, dedicated assignment. You cannot accept any other fellowship from government or non-government sources while participating in this scheme.

Is there a preference for candidates?

Yes, researchers with active industry linkages and proposals aimed at solving practical industry problems are given preference.

Do I need to register on the National Scholarship Portal?

Yes, selected candidates must create a One Time Registration (OTR) and onboard on the National Scholarship Portal, which opened for the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme from 27 March 2026. The fellowship amount is paid through this portal.