PhD Scholarships for Indian Students 2025 – Scholarship List, Eligibility and Application Process

As you move from one academic level to another, the cost of education increases exponentially. For students who’re pursuing research and seeking financial assistance alongside valuable resources, applying for a PhD scholarship can help them manage the costs associated with pursuing their education. 

From Government-sponsored fellowships & institution-specific research grants, to category-specific scholarships & international collaborative scholarships, students today are sitting on a vast pool of accessible academic funding opportunities that can help them pursue higher education, conduct research, and achieve their career aspirations without financial constraints.

Top PhD Scholarships for Indian Students 2025-26

Here’s a detailed list of the top government sponsored, institution-specific, category-specific, international, and non-profit private scholarships. Take a look –

List of Top PhD Scholarships for Indian Students 

1. Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship
2. CSIR – UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship 
3. DST – INSPIRE Fellowship
4. Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme
5. National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste students 
6. Maulana Azad National Fellowship 
7. Women Scientist Scheme – A (WOS – A)
8. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship
9. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
10. Newton Bhabha Fellowship

PhD Scholarships for Indian Students – Eligibility Criteria

Applying for a scholarship becomes 10X easier when you know the eligibility criteria. Take a look at what criteria you must fit into in order to apply for some of the top PhD scholarships in India. 

Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship

For Direct Entry Candidates –

1. Students who’ve completed or are pursuing the final year of four (or five) year undergraduate or five year integrated M.Tech. or 2 year M.Sc. or five year undergraduate postgraduate dual degree programs from IISc/IITs/NITs/IISERSs/IIEST and centrally funded IIITs will be eligible for the scholarship. Minimum CGPA/CPI requirement is 8.0 out of 10.0. For applicants in the five year integrated or dual degree programs, if separate CGPAs/CPIs are awarded for UG and PG parts of the program, the CGPA/CPI of the UG part (first four years) will be considered. OR 

2. Students who’ve completed or are pursuing the final year of four (or five) year undergraduate or five year integrated M.Tech. or five year integrated M.Sc. or 2 year M.Sc. Or five year undergraduate-postgraduate dual degree programs in Science and Technology streams from any other Institute/University recognized in India (not covered in the above paragraph). These candidates should have secured a minimum CGPA of 8 or equivalent apart from a minimum score of 650 in the respective GATE subject, or a UGC/CSIR JRF rank of 100 or less, or those with NBHM fellowship. OR

3. Students who’ve qualified GATE and are pursuing or have completed M.Tech./MS by research at one of the PMRF Granting Institutions having a minimum CGPA or CPI of 8.0 (on a 10-point scale) with a minimum of four courses at the time of application.

For Lateral Entry Candidates –

• If you are currently pursuing Ph.D. (regular or upgraded from M.S./M.Tech./M.Sc.) or Direct Ph.D at the PMRF granting institutes, you can apply for this scholarship.
• You must have secured a CGPA of at least 8.5 after completing a minimum of 4 FULL courses (other than Research Methodology/Ethics/Project course etc) at one of the PMRF granting institutes.
• You should apply within the following time limits: 
  • 12 months from the date of joining for Ph.D. (if you joined for Ph.D. after completing your Master’s degree).
  • 24 months from the date of joining for Direct Ph.D. (if you joined for Ph.D. after completing your Bachelor’s degree).
  • Up-gradation from M.S./M.Tech.: 12 months from the date of up-gradation to Ph.D. from M.S./M.Tech. (OR) 24 months from the date of joining for M.S./M.Tech.
  • Up-gradation from M.Sc.: 24 months from the date of up-gradation to Ph.D. from M.Sc. Such students should complete at least 4 FULL Ph.D. level courses after their date of up-gradation to Ph.D. 4.
• If a candidate converts from Masters to PhD programme or is enrolled in the Integrated PhD programme, then the courses done while satisfying the Masters level requirement can be counted towards the 4 course requirement.

CSIR – UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship 

• Preference is given to students whose research topic/subject is relevant to the research programme of CSIR laboratories and S&T areas.
• For General/Unreserved/General EWS candidates the minimum grade requirement is 55% in Masters ; and for OBC/SC/ST/PwD/Third Gender Category candidates the minimum grade requirement is 50% in masters.
• Provisional entry will be given to those students who are pursuing their master’s degree or equivalent course or candidates who have appeared for their qualifying master’s degree (final year) examination and whose result is still awaited, or candidates whose qualifying examinations have been delayed.
• The candidates having passed a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme should have a minimum of 75% marks. 5% relaxation will be given to candidates who belong to SC/ ST/ OBC (non-creamy layer)/ Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories.
• The age limit of the applying candidate should not exceed more than 30 years; relaxation for up to 5 years for OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/ Third Gender Category and women candidates.

DST – INSPIRE Fellowship

• The DST – INSPIRE Fellowship shall be available to only those students who are pursuing a full-time Ph.D. program from any recognized university/institution/ R&D laboratory in the country.
• The students must fall under the 22 to 27 years of age.
• Students who’ve received the 1st rank in postgraduate (PG) level examination in basic/applied sciences including engineering, pharmacy, agricultural sciences and veterinary sciences are eligible.
• 1st rank holders at the graduate/postgraduate level examination in medicine only conducted by a university/institution in India are also eligible to apply.
• The batch size of the student should be a minimum of 07 students with a minimum aggregate score of 70% marks (or CGPA equivalent) for the entire course/ program.

Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme 

• The selected candidates should not be availing any PhD fellowship/scholarship from any other scheme of central or state government.
• Students pursuing PhD in Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sectors in the country
• For Young Faculty Research Fellowship the student’s research proposal should define clear objectives, outcomes, and deliverables.
• The upper age limit for the post-doctoral fellowship is 40 years on the date of submission of application to the eligible participating institution.

National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste students 

• The applying candidate should belong to SC/ST and should have passed the post graduate examination.
• The student must be registered for M.Phil./Ph.D.
• Transgender students are also eligible to apply under the scheme. 
• The candidate must upload the No objection certificate from the proposed research institute, signed by the head of department and registrar/ director/ principal in the online application.
• An eligible scholar is required to declare that he/she will not accept/receive any other monetary benefit/scholarship/fellowship from any other source.
• The maximum allowed gap period for continuation from M.Phil. to Ph.D. under this scheme shall be 2 years.

Maulana Azad National Fellowship 

• The applying candidate must belong to the minority communities.
• The minority community candidates, who have already secured admission and qualify NET examination will be given preference.
• Prior clearance of UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination will be a prerequisite for award of Maulana Azad National Fellowship for minority students for M.Phil/Ph.D.

Women Scientist Scheme – A (WOS – A)

• The scholarship will be awarded to women candidates only, especially those  having qualifications in the science and technology field.
• The age group of the applying candidates must not exceed  27 to 57 years.

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship

• The applicant should provide clear justification on the need for undertaking research in the U.S. and the U.S. institution identified for the research. 
• One recommendation letter from your PhD supervisor is a compulsory requirement.
• If the applicant is employed, they must follow the instructions carefully regarding employer’s endorsement. 
• The applicant must upload a copy of the original published/presented paper or extracts from the Masters’/M.Phil. thesis on the online application form (not exceeding 20 pages).
• Employees of the Government of India and Indian state governments are not eligible for any Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships.

Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund

• The candidate must hold a first class postgraduate degree with a minimum of 60% marks in both UG and PG levels.
• The student must already be registered/admitted for Ph.D. degree with a recognized       University/Institution in India.  
• The student must be a full-time Ph.D. Scholar.
• The applying candidates should not be above 35 years of age on October 1 of the year of selection. A relaxation of up to 5 years will be provided to the candidates belonging to OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Third gender categories and to women applicants. 

Newton Bhabha Fellowship

• INSPIRE PhD Senior Research Fellows (SRFs) of Batch 2017 are eligible to apply for a STEM and life sciences subjects.
• PhD Scholars (other than INSPIRE fellows) pursuing PhD in mid-second or third year of life sciences are eligible to apply.
• ICSSR doctoral fellows or registered PhD scholars (full time) studying in second or third year of social sciences are eligible to apply.

Also read: Scholarships for Medical Students in India

PhD Scholarships for Indian Students 2025 – Benefits

Students applying for PhD scholarships must know that the scholarship amount offered is different for each scholarship. Here is the scholarship-wise benefit offered:

PhD Scholarships for Indian Students – Rewards

Scholarship Name	Rewards
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship	₹ 70,000 to ₹ 80,000 per month + a research grant of ₹ 2 lakh per year
DST – INSPIRE Fellowship	₹ 31,000 to ₹ 35,000 per month + ₹ 20,000 annual contingent grant per fellow
CSIR – UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship	₹ 37,000 per month for first two years + ₹ 20,000 annual contingent grant per fellow
Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme	₹ 38,750 (1st and 2nd year) then ₹ 43,750 (3rd to 5th year) per month alongside ₹ 1.5 lakh for international conferences for full-time candidates; ₹ 3 lakh one-time incentive for Part-time candidates; ₹ 20,000 per month and ₹ 5 lakh research grant for YFRFs; and ₹ 1.08 lakh per month with ₹ 1 lakh contingency grant for Post-Doctoral Fellowship holders.
National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students	₹ 31,000 pm for JRF and ₹ 35,000 pm for SRF for students pursuing Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, with contingency benefits of ₹ 10,000 pa for JRF and ₹ 20,500 pa for SRF for Humanities & Social Sciences, and ₹ 12,000 pa for JRF and ₹ 25,000 pa for SRF for Science, Engg. & Technology. ₹ 2,000 pm for physically handicapped and blind candidates for all subjects.
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund	₹18,000 pm maintenance allowance including tuition fees + ₹ 15,000 pa for study tours, stationary and books.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship	₹ 31,000 pm for JRF and ₹ 35,000 pm for SRF for students pursuing science, humanities and social sciences, with contingency benefits of ₹ 10,000 PA for JRF and ₹ 20,500 PA for SRF for humanities & social sciences, and ₹ 12,000 pa for JRF and ₹ 25,000 pa for SRF for science, engg. & technology. ₹ 2,000 pm for physically handicapped and blind candidates for all subjects.
Newton Bhabha Fellowship	The fellowship covers visa fees, accommodation fees and also offers stipends to PhD scholars.
Women Scientist Scheme – A (WOS-A)	₹ 55,000/- pm for Ph.D. or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹ 30 lakh). ₹  40,000/- pm for M.Phil./MTech or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹  25 lakh). ₹  31,000/- pm for M.Sc. or equivalent (total project cost not exceeding ₹  20 lakh)
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship	The fellowships provide J-1 visa support, a monthly stipend, Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S.

PhD Scholarships for Indian Students 2025 – Application Links

The application process for the majority of the PhD scholarships is done via online mode. Here are the application links for different PhD scholarships for Indian students. 

PhD Scholarships for Indian Students – Registration Link

Scholarship Name	Application Timeline	Where to Apply from?
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship	Applications open twice in a year.  Preferably in March and October	Click Here
CSIR – UGC NET Junior Research Fellowship	The last date to apply for CSIR – UGC NET Fellowship is October 24, 2025.	Click Here
DST – INSPIRE Fellowship	-NA-	Click Here
Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme	Applications usually open between the months of June to August.	Look for announcements from participating Institutions.
National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students	Typically opens between May to December	Click Here
Maulana Azad National Fellowship	Applications remain open throughout the UGC – NET and CSIR – NET examinations period	Click Here
Women Scientist Scheme – A –	Check the official website for more information.	Click Here
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship	Applications usually end mid July	Click Here
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund	Typically end of June every year	Click Here
Newton Bhabha Fellowship	Opens in January and closes in March typically	Apply via British Council Official Website

PhD Scholarship for Indian Students – Documents Required

PhD scholarship applicants in India are typically required to submit the following documents as part of their application process:

1. Marksheets and certificates of all previous degrees (undergraduate and postgraduate).
2. Provisional certificate (if applicable).
3. A detailed research proposal outlining the intended area of research, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
4. Summary of previous research work, if applicable.
5. An updated CV showcasing academic achievements, research experience, publications (if any), and other relevant qualifications.
6. At least two or three academic or professional letters of recommendation.
7. A well-written SOP describing the applicant’s academic background, research interests, career goals, and reasons for applying for the scholarship.
8. Documentation or certificates that demonstrate the applicant’s prior research experience or any publications in peer-reviewed journals.
9. A government-issued ID (e.g., Aadhar card, passport, or voter ID) for identity verification.
10. Passport-sized photographs as per the scholarship application guidelines.
11. For scholarships with financial eligibility criteria, an income certificate from a government-authorized body.
12. If applying under reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC), a caste certificate issued by a competent authority.
13. A fully filled application form, often available through the scholarship portal or university’s official website.
14. Proof of Admission (if already enrolled)

Also read: NSP UGC Scholarships 2025 – Important Dates, Benefits and Application Process

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the eligibility criteria for PhD scholarships in India?

PhD scholarships in India typically require applicants to have a master's degree in the relevant field with a minimum percentage (usually 55% or above). Some scholarships also require students to have a valid GATE/NET score, while others may have specific research or institutional prerequisites. Additionally, applicants must fulfill the age and financial eligibility criteria, if applicable.

How can I apply for PhD scholarships in India?

To apply for PhD scholarships in India, students need to visit the official websites of the scholarship providers or universities offering the scholarships. The application process usually involves filling out an online form, submitting academic documents, a research proposal, and other required materials.

What are the benefits of PhD scholarships for Indian students?

PhD scholarships provide financial support to cover tuition fees, research expenses, and living costs during the course of the doctoral program. They also offer opportunities for professional development, access to international conferences, and exposure to advanced research methodologies.

Which are the top PhD scholarships available for Indian students?

Some of the top PhD scholarships for Indian students include the UGC NET JRF Fellowship, DST - INSPIRE Fellowship, Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, and Newton Bhabha Fellowship.

Can international students from India apply for PhD scholarships abroad?

Yes, Indian students can apply for PhD scholarships abroad. Many international universities and organizations offer scholarships specifically for Indian students, including the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship. These scholarships help cover tuition fees, living expenses, and research costs for Indian students pursuing doctoral studies abroad.