The candidates will be selected based on merit and fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) Scheme 2025-26
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Eligibility
Ph.D. students
Region
India
Award
Up to ₹42,000 monthly and other benefits
Deadline
Closed
About The Program
AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) Scheme 2025-26 is a program launched by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for full-time research scholars pursuing doctoral degrees in the specified degree programs under AICTE's purview. The fellowship aims to cultivate a strong research and knowledge culture within AICTE institutions by developing a robust ecosystem. Selected candidates will receive a monthly fellowship of up to ₹42,000, an annual contingency grant of ₹15,000 and HRA as per the government rules.
EligibilityDeadline Date: Closed
To be eligible, an applicant must:-
- be under 30 years of age at the time of admission
- be admitted to a Ph.D. degree in one of the following courses approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to postgraduate level:
- Engineering and Technology
- Management/ Design
- Planning
- Applied Arts
- Crafts and Design
- Computer Application
- have successfully completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (or a five-year integrated/dual degree leading to a postgraduate degree) in engineering and technology, management, design, planning, applied arts, crafts and design, hotel management and catering technology, or computer application, as per the conditions prescribed by the admitted university
Note:-
- For Hotel Management positions, candidates must hold an undergraduate degree (UG) in Hotel Management and Catering Technology approved by AICTE, along with a Master's degree in Hospitality Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Applied Science Post Graduate candidates willing to be admitted into a Ph.D. program at an AICTE-approved institution are also eligible.
- Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) will be eligible for an age relaxation of 5 years. Applicants from Other Backward Classes (OBC) will receive a 3-year relaxation.
Benefits
Selected candidates will receive:-
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹37,000 per month
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹42,000 per month
- Annual grant for miscellaneous expenses: ₹15,000
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): As per Central Government norms
Documents
- University admission form (if applicable)
- Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and marksheet
- National examination qualifications/marksheet
- Proposal of reseach
- Aadhaar card
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
How can you apply?
Eligible applicants can apply by following these steps:-
Step 1: Click on the 'Apply Now' button.
Step 2: Click the 'Register' button and fill in the required registration details. (Note:- If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email ID.)
Step 3: Navigate to the student registration option and click it.
Step 4: Fill in the required details to Register (Note:- If already registered, log in using the registered email ID.)
Step 4: Fill in the required details, upload the necessary documents (if applicable), and submit the application.
Alternatively, universities can register for the scheme and nominate students for the fellowship. Students interested in this category should contact their university administration or research department to learn about their specific application process and deadlines, as universities might have additional requirements.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: 10th April 2026
Selection Criteria
Important documents
Terms and Conditions
Eligibility and Restrictions:
- Fellows cannot transfer the fellowship to another institution after being admitted.
- Fellows cannot hold any part-time or full-time jobs during the fellowship period.
Termination:
- The fellowship can be terminated by AICTE at any point during its tenure. Their decision is final.
- Accepting any form of employment will result in termination from the joining date.
- Receiving other financial aid will pause the fellowship. It will resume only after the external funding ceases, and the period of receiving external assistance will be deducted from the total fellowship tenure (maximum 5 years).
Leave:
- Fellows are entitled to a maximum of 30 days of leave, excluding public holidays.
- All fellows are eligible for maternity/paternity leave as per the Government of India regulations.
- Approved medical leave will result in a fellowship discontinuation for that period, resuming upon return.
Responsibilities:
- Fellows will be assigned 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.
Evaluation and Progression:
- Research progress will be evaluated annually or bi-annually as per the institute's regulations. A progress report must be uploaded to the AICTE portal within one month of the fellowship extension.
- 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.
Discontinuation and Reinstatement:
- Failure to complete coursework and submit the research plan within 24 months (as per institutional norms) will result in discontinuation. The fellowship may resume after 36 months upon completion of the required work.
- An unsatisfactory annual progress report may lead to discontinuation for the following year. It can be resumed within 60 months with satisfactory progress on the report.
Termination for Cause:
- The fellowship can be cancelled for university cancellation of admission, student misconduct, false information in the application, or if the student is found ineligible later.
Note:- For more information, kindly refer to the 'Fellowship Details' document.
Contact Details
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Nelson Mandela Marg
Vasant Kunj
New Delhi-110070
Phone Number: (011) 26131576/78/80
Source: AICTE
Important Links
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