The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) offers the Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) Schemes for the academic year 2024-25, a prestigious program designed to support and nurture budding researchers in the field of technical education. It offers a great opportunity to carry out advanced studies and research in the AICTE approved institutions in the following disciplines:
- Engineering and Technology
- Management Design
- Planning
- Applied Arts
- Crafts and Design
- Hotel Management
- Catering Technology
- Computer Application
- Applied Sciences
- Interdisciplinary Area
AICTE – A Brief Overview!
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is a statutory body and a national-level council responsible for proper planning, coordinated development and management of technical education in India. Established in November 1945, initially, it functioned as an advisory body, and later in 1987, it was vested with statutory status through an Act of Parliament. AICTE oversees the development and proper planning of the technical education system across the country through policy formulation. Over the decades, AICTE has played a crucial role. It accredits postgraduate and graduate programs, coordinates development, and ensures the maintenance of standards in technical education. Additionally, AICTE plays a pivotal role in setting the benchmarks for quality in technical institutions and fostering innovation and research through various schemes and fellowship programmes.
Transformation of NDF Scheme to ADF Scheme!
The National Doctoral Fellowship scheme (NDF) has been transformed as AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) by involving selected technical universities/other universities in selection, registration etc. of the scholars from the academic year 2020-21. The existing scholars under the NDF scheme will continue to receive the fellowship till completion of the present programme.
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Objectives
The AICTE aims at nurturing a strong culture of research and knowledge by developing a robust ecosystem in AICTE approved institutions. The underlying objective is to fund and hence promote collaborative and outstanding peer-reviewed research between technical institutions and industries leading to start-ups.
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Research Thrust Areas and Qualifying Examination
| Research Thrust Areas | Qualifying Examination |
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AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Registration
- Category A: The candidate can register directly through the AICTE ADF portal along with the NOC from the university as per guidelines of the scheme.
- Category B: The University can register in the scheme and will admit students in their PhD programme as per their own procedure based on the minimum eligibility criteria prescribed by the AICTE.
- In order to promote the quality in Research (PhD), the evaluation committee of the AICTE will evaluate the research proposal of the candidate from Category A and Category B.
| Particulars | Details |
| Opportunity Name | AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) Scheme 2024-25 |
| Provider | All India Council for Technical Education |
| Eligibility | Indian students less than 30 years of age admitted to a full-time PhD program in any of disciplines approved by the AICTE |
| Awards | Emolument up to ₹42,000 per month and additional benefits |
| Application Deadline | Open throughout the year |
| Application Mode | Online, AICTE portal and institutional selection |
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Eligibility Criteria
The Candidate must be admitted to a PhD programme in any of following disciplines approved by the AICTE to postgraduate level:
- Engineering and Technology
- Management
- Design
- Planning
- Applied Arts
- Crafts and Design
- Computer Application
- Hotel management – In this case the candidate must have completed the UG program of Hotel Management and Catering technology approved by AICTE and Master degree in relevant and allied areas.
- The candidate must have successfully completed the undergraduate or postgraduate degree or five year integrated/dual degree leading to postgraduate degree in “Engineering and Technology/Management/Design/Planning/Applied Arts, Crafts and Design/Hotel Management and Catering Technology/Computer Application” as per the condition prescribed by the admitted university.
- Applied Science postgraduate candidates willing to be admitted in a PhD programme in AICTE approved Institution are also eligible.
- The candidate should be below 30 years of age in case of Category A and Category B
- Admission age relaxation of 5 years would be applicable to candidates from the SC/ST/Women/Physically Challenged categories and 3 years for OBC categories.
- In case, a candidate falls in more than one category, the maximum age relaxation would be of 5 years only.
(Note:- Those willing to apply for this Fellowship programme must be a first time applicant. Students who have already availed benefits under the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship programme before from an institution are ineligible to apply.)
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Awards and Benefits
- Monthly Emolument: The Fellows will receive a monthly emolument of ₹37,000 for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for the first two years and ₹42,000 for the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) from the third year onwards.
- Contingency Grant: An annual contingency grant of ₹15,000 is provided to cover miscellaneous expenses related to research, travel, books, and other academic activities.
- HRA: Accommodation expenses or House Rent Allowance will be provided as per the Central Government norms applicable in the city where the admitting institution is located.
- Duration: The Fellowship is initially applicable for a period of 2 years, extendable for a maximum period of 5 years, subject to satisfactory progress in research work.
- Additionally, candidates will avail opportunities to attend national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops to enhance their research capabilities.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) – Upgradation
- JRF may be upgraded to SRF after completion of two years from the date of start of ADF.
- Three-member assessment committee shall be constituted by the Competent Authority of the respective University for assessment of JRF to SRF.
- Committee shall consist of the following members:
- Head of the Department
- Supervisor
- One external member not below the rank of Professor in the relevant area of research.
Progression/Duration of the Fellowship
The duration of the Fellowship shall be of maximum 5 Years (60 months) and will have periodic reviews for continuation/upgradation.
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Key Dates!
Some of the key dates for the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) Scheme 2024-25 are as under:
- Launch of the scheme: 05.06.2024
- Scheme shall remain open throughout the year
Important Points
- The Fellows are entitled to a maximum of 30 days of leave, excluding public holidays.
- They are eligible for maternity/paternity leave as per Government of India regulations.
- Approved medical leave will result in a discontinuation of the Fellowship for that period, which will subsequently resume upon return.
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Application Process
The application process for the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship 2024-25 involves the following steps:
- Online Registration: The candidates must first register on the AICTE web portal with necessary personal and academic details.
- Submission of Documents: Applicants need to upload scanned copies of required documents.
- Research Proposal: A well-structured research proposal must be submitted, detailing the research objectives, methodology, expected outcomes, and its relevance to technical education.
- Institutional Endorsement: The candidates must obtain an endorsement from the prospective institution where the candidate wishes to pursue the PhD programme.
- Selection Process: Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts based on academic merit, research proposal, and alignment with AICTE’s objectives. Shortlisted candidates may be called for an interview.
- Final Award: Successful candidates will be notified through the AICTE portal and must confirm their acceptance to avail the benefits of the Fellowship programme.
Alternatively, universities can register for the scheme and nominate students for the Fellowship programme. The students interested in this category should contact their university administration or research department to learn about the specific application process and deadlines, as universities might have additional requirements.
Official Website: https://www.aicte-india.org/
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship – Required Documentation
- The university admission form where the applicant is currently admitted
- Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and marksheet of the applicant
- National examination qualifications/marksheets
- Age proof documents
- Caste certificate, if the applicant belongs to a specified caste category
- Disability certificate, if applicable
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) – Important Details
Some of the key points to keep in mind while applying for the Fellowship programme are as under:
- The Fellows cannot transfer the Fellowship to another institution after being admitted, and they cannot hold any part-time or full-time jobs during the Fellowship period.
- Each of the Fellows will be assigned the responsibility of a teaching assistantship for 6-8 hours per week for the entire Fellowship tenure. Duties may include assisting with labs, exams, and other tasks as assigned.
- Upgradation from Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) requires evaluation by a committee including the department head, supervisor, and an external expert in the research area. Unsatisfactory results can result in the discontinuation of the Fellowship programme.
Roles and Responsibilities of the University/Institute
1. The university/ institute will assign one faculty as the Nodal Officer for the ADF Scheme who will work as the interface between the university and AICTE on various operational aspects of the Scheme.
2. The university will admit students in their PhD program as per their procedure based on the minimum eligibility criteria as prescribed by the AICTE.
3. The university/institute will update the joining report of the student on the online portal of AICTE along with a bank account seeded with Aadhaar card number.
4. The university/institute shall mark the monthly attendance of the admitted student through an online portal for the disbursement of the Fellowship directly in the student’s account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
5. The university/institute shall verify all information submitted/uploaded by the student regularly such as the following:
- Annual Progress Report
- Application for upgradation from JRF to SRF
- Application for extension beyond three years etc. before it is uploaded and updated on the portal.
6. The university/institute will follow the reservation policy of the Government of India issued from time to time. The present reservation policy is tabulated below:
| Categories | Reservation Percentage (%) |
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC | 27% |
| General {including EWS (Max 10%)} | 50.5% |
7. The university/institute shall indicate any discontinuation/cancellation of the student from ADF, if any, immediately on the designated section/page of the AICTE portal.
- Clause (a) – The fellowship is liable to discontinuation or cancellation in the following cases: Discontinuation: Non-completion of course-work and non-submission of approved research plan proposal as per university/ institute norms within 24 months.
- Clause (b) – If the Annual Progress Report is “Not satisfactory”, the fellowship shall be discontinued for the succeeding year. The fellowship may be resumed within 60 months if the student succeeds in obtaining the “Satisfactory” Annual Progress Report.
(Note:- In the cases where the Fellowship has been discontinued as per clause (a), the Fellowship may be resumed within 36 months after the successful completion of the course-work and approval of research plan/proposal by the university/institute.)
8. Cancellation: The Fellowship will be cancelled due to any of the reasons provided below:
- Cancellation of admission by the university/institute.
- False information/documents submitted by the student or indulged in any fraudulent activity.
- Students found “Not-Eligible” for Fellowship at any later stage.
- Misconduct by the student.
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship – Contact Details
For queries, issues, or any questions regarding the Fellowship programme, applicants are advised to get in contact with the relevant authority:
Address:
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Nelson Mandela Marg
Vasant Kunj
New Delhi-110070
Contact Number: (011) 26131576/78/80
Also Read: National Scholarship Portal 2024-25 – NSP Login, Check Status, Last Date
FAQs on AICTE Doctoral Fellowship 2024-25!
What is the purview of AICTE?
The purview of AICTE covers programmes of technical education including provisioning training and research in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Town Planning, Management, Pharmacy, Applied Arts and Crafts, Hotel Management and Catering Technology etc. at different levels.
What is the application window for ADF 2024?
The application window for AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) 2024 remains open throughout the year, hence eligible students can apply at any time of the year. It is advised to apply as early as possible to avail the benefits as soon as possible.
How can one apply for the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship?
Interested and eligible students can apply by submitting the necessary documents to their respective departments of the institution. Registered institutions can then select the applicants on the basis of merit and carry the process forward.
What are the required documents for the AICTE Fellowship programme?
The required documents for the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship 2024 are the following:
- University admission form
- Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and marksheet
- National examination qualifications/marksheets
- Caste certificate if necessary
- Disability certificate if applicable
What is the difference between ADF scheme and NDF scheme?
The ADF is the transformed version of the NDF scheme. The National Doctoral Fellowship scheme (NDF) has been transformed as the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) by involving selected technical universities/other universities in selection, registration etc. of the scholars from the academic year 2020-21. The existing scholars under the NDF scheme will continue to receive the fellowship till completion of the present programme.
What happens in the case of the selected Fellows leaving the course midstream before completion of the ADF scheme?
The awardee shall furnish an undertaking that in case of leaving his seat within the duration for which he has been offered fellowship, he/she shall be liable to refund the entire amount fellowship received by him/her till the date of his/her leaving the scheme. For those scholars who left the course midway on or after 1st October 2020, the fellowship shall be stopped.
Can a student admitted in the ADF programme opt for transfer of fellowship from the institution?
No, the student shall not be allowed for transfer of fellowship from the institution where admitted for PhD during the entire tenure of the fellowship.
What is the mechanism of transfer of emoluments under the ADF programme?
The AICTE online portal has a mechanism for releasing ADF emoluments and allowances (HRA/Contingency etc.) directly in the Aadhaar seeded bank account of the beneficiary through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
How can I apply for this?
If candidate perform less than 70 percent then candidate able to apply for scholarship and my parent income is less than 8 lakhs rupees.So need some scholarship. Because of some reason I can’t able to score more in 12th