PhD Fellowships in India 2025; Everything you need to know!

Doctoral fellowships and scholarships are vital things needed to study for a doctorate in India. A PhD in India, and even globally, is a lengthy and time-consuming process.

Due to the costs of conducting their research being too high, students undertaking this course need continuous financial assistance. There are numerous grants and scholarships available for deserving PhD applicants so that a student can graduate.

These fellowships tend to motivate PhD students to explore new ideas in their area of specialization besides offering them funds for research.

The article will include the entire list of fellowships and scholarships that are meant for PhD students and the first prize award.

What is a PhD?

The highest level of qualification is illustrated by a terminal degree known as a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD). Almost all fields of academic research range from humanities and social sciences to sciences, engineering, technology, management, etc. They all have PhD programs.

A PhD degree is meant for great research on a particular topic. The doctorate is taken through hypotheses to identify unknown territories of the world in contrast to an undergraduate and graduate degree, whereby one learns along a predetermined course.

Duration of the Program

A PhD program is very time-consuming and demanding. A student studying for a PhD degree requires ample time to carry out high-quality research. Students will be admitted to the PhD program with the length of a PhD program varies. The duration required for various PhD programs has been illustrated in the table below:

Full-time PhD student students are mainly preferred for most of the fellowships available. The first and foremost reason for needing fellowships is the long period during which a PhD is pursued.

However, students who cannot focus on a long PhD program course can opt for an online Doctor of Business Administration course with the completion of their PhD within three years. This highly flexible online DBA course is closely similar to the very relevant and similar on-campus PhD program course.

Some popular fellowships for PhD in India include:

A few of the popular PhD fellowships and scholarships offered in India are as mentioned below along with the offering organizations:

Why are PhD fellowships and scholarships needed?

The advancement of the field by way of quality research is the primary importance of PhD fellowships and scholarships.

PhD scholarships empower and encourage PhD students to carry out independent research without hindrances and with enough funding. PhD scholarships enable the students to carry out their research based on the current technologies.

• PhD fellowships and scholarships provide support to PhD students in carrying out their research work by giving them financial aid.
• The great research and innovation opportunities are not restricted to PhD students.
• Through PhD fellowships and scholarships, proof of the academic excellence of the PhD student is also established.
• PhD fellowships allow PhD students the opportunity to undertake different types of research.
• With a PhD fellowship, students do not have to search for funding, and they easily determine the topic to be undertaken.
• Worlds' best universities are accessible with a PhD grant.

CSIR NET JRF vs UGC NET JRF

Through UGC NET JRF, there exist fellowship programs for PhD students in PhD in the humanities and social sciences. In contrast, the fellows can be any student already equipped with a background in science and technology.

Can a PhD be completed if it does not qualify for a fellowship program?

Yes, one can pursue a PhD program when one fails to qualify on the entrance exam to make it eligible for a PhD fellowship. PhD program entrance at highly placed universities becomes fiercely competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Prime Minister Fellowship for Doctoral Research, How much stipend does the government provide under this fellowship?

A: Under the Prime Minister Fellowship for Doctoral Research, PhD scholars earn an annual salary of INR 8,70,000 for two years, for which half is paid by the Science and Engineering Research Board and the remaining half by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Q: Is it easy to get a PhD fellowship?

A: No, a PhD fellowship is pretty tough to get. Generally, PhD scholars need to fight for every little corner to achieve a PhD grant. Many PhD fellowships require a sound academic background and eligibility for fellowship exams.

Q: Do I stand a chance for the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship after I finish my PhD?

A: This implies that you are open only to students who are enrolled in accredited Indian universities and institutes; therefore, no, you are not qualified. You cannot apply for this scholarship after completing your PhD because it is available for pre-doctoral research.