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ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship

ICSSR POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

2026 โœ“๐Ÿ“š Educationโœ… The ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship offers Rs๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ All India

Published: Oct 2026

3 min read

Reviewed by Navin, Editor · First published: 6 Oct 2026

ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship
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Written by Navin · Editor, tsmpb.inUpdated: 14 Oct 2026 · How we verify scheme facts

About this education scheme

The ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship offers Rs. 31,000 monthly and Rs. 20,000 yearly for research in social sciences. Open to Indian Ph.D. holders under 45 years, applications are ongoing online.

The ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship aims to support quality research in social sciences. It is managed by the Indian Council of Social Science Research under the Ministry of Education.

This fellowship is for individuals who have recently completed their Ph.D. and wish to pursue original research.

Fellows receive financial aid to cover living expenses and research costs, helping them contribute valuable insights to the field.

By encouraging research excellence, this scheme plays a crucial role in shaping informed policies in India.

Benefits at a glance

Scheme nameICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship (ICSSR POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP)
Launched byMinistry of Education
DepartmentDepartment Of Higher Education
BenefitThe ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship offers Rs.
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 dateOngoing (no last date notified)
DBT (direct bank transfer)No
Fellowship DurationTwo years
No DBTDirect bank transfer is not applicable

Who can apply (quick check)

  • ๐Ÿ‘คAll genders
  • ๐ŸŽ‚Age 0 to 45 years
  • ๐Ÿ“Online

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

What you receive

The ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship offers Rs.
  • Monthly Fellowship amount: Rs. 31,000
  • Contingency Grant: Rs. 20,000 per annum

The fellowship amount is paid in installments through the affiliated institution upon submission of required reports and bills.

Who qualifies

  • I am an Indian citizen.
  • I am under 45 years of age (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD).
  • I hold a Ph.D. in a social science discipline.
  • I have published research work.
  • I am affiliated with a public-funded Indian institution approved for Ph.D.
  • I have a supervisor who is an Associate Professor or above.
  • I am not a defaulter of any ICSSR grant/project/fellowship.

Who is not eligible

  • Applicants not meeting the eligibility criteria.

Papers to keep ready

  • Documents required will be listed 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 Post-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.
How to check status and payment

To check your application status, log in to the ICSSR portal. You can also contact the helpline for assistance.

Real-life examples: are you eligible?

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

A 40-year-old researcher with a Ph.D. in sociology and publications is eligible because they meet all criteria.
A 46-year-old applicant with a Ph.D. in political science is not eligible due to age restrictions.

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

Common mistakes: why applications get rejected
  • Not having the required Ph.D. at the time of application.
  • Submitting multiple applications in one call.
  • Failing to demonstrate research competence through publications.
  • Not having a supervisor from an approved institution.
  • Missing the application deadline.

Frequently asked questions

What is the monthly fellowship amount?

The monthly fellowship is Rs. 31,000.

Can I apply if I am over 45?

You can apply if you belong to SC/ST/PwD categories, which allows a 5-year age relaxation.

Is a Ph.D. mandatory to apply?

Yes, you must have a Ph.D. at the time of application.

What is the contingency grant used for?

It is for research-related expenses like books and fieldwork.

How many publications are required?

You need to publish at least two research papers in reputable journals.

Can I work on another project during the fellowship?

No, the fellowship requires full-time research.

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First draft prepared with editorial AI tools; every fact verified against the official notification and rewritten by our team.

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