Dr. S. Radharkrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship In Humanities And Social Sciences

What is Dr. S. Radharkrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship In Humanities And Social Sciences?

Post-doctoral research is an important enabling step in grooming young researchers for launching an academic/research career. This is a transition phase from a largely supervisor directed student at doctoral level to an independent researcher for leadership position, particularly in academia. A post-doctoral stint also provides an opportunity to acquire new skills, broaden one's horizon and offers a platform for transiting into cross-disciplinary areas. Experience in other parts of the world has shown that university faculty is best inducted from among candidates who had a year or two of post-doctoral training and is generally considered an essential requirement. Mentoring for independent research is an indispensable element of post-doctoral training. Top rated institutions in our country which value research also follow this practice but it has not permeated widely. Leading research groups around the world usually have a good mix of post-doctoral fellows and a doctoral student with the former bringing in a level of caught on and is practiced only sporadically in a few selected places. However, in our country post-doctoral research culture has not caught on and is practiced only sporadically in a few selected places. Ironically, Ph.Ds from leading institutions in India, particularly in Humanities and Social Sciences prefer seeking post-doctoral positions overseas. Within the country, a PDF position is mistakenly viewed as a mere parking opportunity while scouting for a regular appointment. 

With our higher education system poised for rapid and massive expansion in the years ahead and the establishment of many new Universities and institutions on the anvil, requirement of potential faculty with PDF experience will be very substantial. Thus, a 'home grown' PDF program can be expected to partly redeem the expected short fall in trained faculty required for Higher Education Institutes. It is in this context that UGC initiative to launch a prestigious PDF initiative, named after an illustrious educationist and former President of India (1962-67) is important and timely and fills a widely felt void.

OBJECTIVE     

The objective of this award is to provide an opportunity to carry out the advanced studies and research in Humanities and Social Sciences including languages in Indian Universities and Colleges recognized under section 2(f) and fit to receive assistance under section 12 (B) of the UGC Act 1956 and Institutes of National Importance established by the Central/State Government.     
      

Who can apply for this scholarship ?

      
1    The candidate must have a doctorate degree in the relevant subject. 

2    General/open category, 55% marks at UG level and 60% of marks at PG level. For reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/ PH) candidates, 50% at UG level and 55% at PG level. 

3    The fellowship is open for full time research work to young researchers below 35 years of age (Relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC/Women candidates). 

Note:-Candidate must identify a Guide for his/her postdoctoral research work and obtain his /her consent for the guidance. 

How can you apply ?

The candidates fulfilling the eligibility conditions are required to apply ONLINE against the advertisement to be published by the UGC every year on the following website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in or www.ugc.ac.in/dsrpdfhs. 

Terms and Conditions

Procedure for Approval by the UGC
The applications received will be scrutinized by the screening committee. Later, the shortlisted candidates will be called to appear before the selection committee, constituted by the Commission. No TA/DA will be paid for appearing in the interview. The decision of the Commission will be final. The Commission reserves the right to withdraw/cancel the award without assigning any reason.

Procedure for release of grant by the UGC

On receipt of Joining Report (Annexure I) of the fellow together with required documents,the UGC office/authorized agency would release the first installment of the admissible grant to the concerned beneficiary. Thereafter, the grant is released on receipt of the Utilization Certificate and statement of expenditure for the last grant paid (Annexures- III, IV). The fellow has to give a continuation certificate (Annexure – VI) in every three months to
UGC/authorized agency to continue his/her fellowship. On completion of the award, an audited utilization certificate is to be submitted through the University/Institution/College where the fellow has worked under the scheme. 

Important documents

9246425_XII-Plan-guidelines-Radhakrishnan-0072.pdf

Important Links

• Original website