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ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship

ICSSR DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Published: Sep 2026

3 min read

Published by Navin, Editor · First published: 27 Sep 2026

ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship
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Published by Navin · Editor, tsmpb.inUpdated: 18 Oct 2026 · Numbers and dates checked automatically against the official listing · How we prepare pages

About this education scheme

The ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship provides financial support to Ph.D. scholars in social sciences. Applicants receive Rs.20,000 monthly for up to two years. The official listing gives no last date, so check the official portal for the current status before applying.

The ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship is designed to support full-time Ph.D. students engaged in research in social and human sciences.

It is run by the Indian Council of Social Science Research under the Ministry of Education.

Fellows receive a monthly stipend and a contingency grant to cover research expenses.

This scheme encourages original research that is relevant to society and policymakers.

Benefits at a glance

Scheme nameICSSR Doctoral Fellowship (ICSSR DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP)
Launched byMinistry of Education
DepartmentDepartment Of Higher Education
BenefitThe ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship provides financial support to Ph.D.
Benefit typeCash (money paid to your bank account)
CategoryEducation
Level / StateCentral ยท All India
Official portalicssr.org (link at the end of this page)

Key facts

Scheme typeCentrally Sponsored Scheme
Implementing agencyIndian Council Of Social Science Research
Scheme forIndividual
Application modeOnline
Last dateNot given in the official listing
DBT (direct bank transfer)No
Last date for applicationNot given in the official listing

Who can apply (quick check)

  • ๐Ÿ‘คAll genders
  • ๐ŸŽ‚Age 0 to 40 years
  • ๐Ÿ“Online

Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.

What you receive

The ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship provides financial support to Ph.D.
  • Monthly fellowship amount: Rs.20,000
  • Annual contingency grant: Rs.20,000

The fellowship amount is paid monthly, while the contingency grant is provided annually for research-related expenses.

Who qualifies

  • Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Must be a full-time Ph.D. scholar in a social science discipline at a UGC-recognized institution.
  • Ph.D. topic must be confirmed by the relevant authority before applying.
  • Age must be below 40 years.
  • Relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC (NCL) and PwD candidates.
  • Must have at least 55% marks in post-graduation, with a 5% relaxation for reserved categories.

Who is not eligible

  • Those who do not meet the eligibility criteria.

Papers to keep ready

  • Documents required will be mentioned in the application form when the call is announced.

Registration walkthrough

  1. Visit the ICSSR website and go to the Fellowships section.
  2. Click on the Doctoral Fellowship Scheme.
  3. Register or log in to the ICSSR portal.
  4. Fill out the online application form.
  5. Upload the required documents and submit the application.
How to check status and payment

Check your application status by logging into the ICSSR portal. For payment status, follow the same process or contact the helpline.

Real-life examples: are you eligible?

A quick way to gauge your eligibility: find the profile nearest to yours.

Ravi is a 28-year-old full-time Ph.D. student in sociology at a UGC-recognized university. He is eligible for the fellowship.
Priya is a 42-year-old researcher in social sciences. She is not eligible because she exceeds the age limit.

Every case differs. Confirm your eligibility on the official portal before applying.

Common mistakes: why applications get rejected
  • Not confirming the Ph.D. topic before applying.
  • Missing the eligibility criteria for age or academic marks.
  • Submitting incomplete application forms.
  • Not providing required documents.
  • Applying multiple times under the same call.

Terms used in this scheme

Definition 1

(provide meanings of the lesser-known terminologies mentioned in the guidelines)

Terminology
Meaning
Source
Link https://icssr.org

Frequently asked questions

What is the monthly fellowship amount?

The monthly fellowship amount is Rs.20,000.

What is the purpose of the contingency grant?

The contingency grant is for research-related expenses like books and fieldwork.

Can I work on another project while receiving the fellowship?

No, the fellowship requires full-time research.

What is the minimum percentage required in post-graduation?

You need at least 55% marks, with a 5% relaxation for reserved categories.

How often do I need to submit progress reports?

Fellows must submit regular progress reports during the fellowship.

Can I apply if my Ph.D. topic is not confirmed?

No, the topic must be confirmed by the relevant authority before applying.

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Drafted with AI tools from the official listing. Every number and date is checked automatically against the official text; confirm the details on the official portal before applying.

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