About this education scheme
The scheme aims to develop competent human resources in agriculture and allied sciences through international doctoral education and research opportunities, while providing fellowship support, travel assistance, and exposure to world-class institutions.
The scheme "Netaji Subhas-ICAR International Fellowship (NS-ICARIF)" is implemented by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, to strengthen higher agricultural education and develop skilled researchers in cutting-edge technologies through Ph.D. studies. The fellowship supports Indian candidates pursuing doctoral studies in identified overseas institutions and overseas candidates pursuing doctoral studies in leading Indian Agricultural Universities. The scheme seeks to create a pool of scientist-envoys who can promote international cooperation in agriculture and allied sciences. The fellowship is available in identified priority research areas and is awarded through a competitive selection process based on academic merit, research proposal, and interview performance. The fellowship tenure is 3 years and is not extendable under ICAR support.
Benefits at a glance
| Scheme name | Netaji Subhas – ICAR International Fellowship (NS-ICARIF) |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Ministry Of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare |
| Department | Department of Agriculture Research and Education |
| Launch year | 2010 |
| Benefit type | Composite (cash plus goods or services) |
| Category | Education |
| Level / State | Central · All India |
| Official portal | education2.icar.gov.in (link at the end of this page) |
Key facts
| Scheme type | Centrally Sponsored Scheme |
|---|---|
| Implementing agency | Indian Council Of Agricultural Research |
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Application mode | Online |
| Last date | Ongoing (no last date notified) |
| DBT (direct bank transfer) | Yes |
Who can apply (quick check)
- 👤All genders
- 🎂Age 0 to 35 years
- 📝Online
Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.
What you receive
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Who qualifies
- Master’s degree in agriculture/allied sciences with an Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) 6.60 out of 10.0 or 65% marks or equivalent will be the eligibility requirement for the NS-ICAR IFs.
- The fresh candidates should not be more than 35 years of age on the last date prescribed for receipt of applications. The upper age limit for In-service candidates will be 40 years on the last date for receipt of applications.
- The fellowship would be available for both, fresh and in-service candidates. However, the fresh candidates should have completed their qualifying degree not more than two years before the specified date in the year of admission. The in-service candidates from India should be employed in the ICAR-AU system.
- The Council will identify and announce the priority areas of research and the list of institutions for admission, one year in advance, for availing the Netaji Subhas- ICAR IFs.
Bank Guarantee and Service Bond:
- Indian selected fellows shall provide an irrevocable Bank guarantee for an amount of US$ 10,000/- (equivalent in rupee currency) in favour of the Secretary, ICAR. The Bank guarantee should be valid for the entire duration till the successful completion of the programme.
- For foreign national selected fellows, an amount of Rs. 2,00,000 will be recovered from their fellowship grant as alternate of Bank guaranty, in terms of Rs. 1,00,000 each from first and second installment till successful completion of their Ph.D. study programme. This fellowship amount of Rs. 2,00,000 will be paid to the fellow at the time of final release of fellowship”.
- The Indian in-service candidates selected for international fellowship shall execute a bond with the deputing University/Institute to undertake to serve that institution after the completion of degree for at least three years.
Eligibility for the Continuance of the Fellowship:
- The fellow will submit his progress report to the Council, through his/her adviser/supervisor/ head of the institution every six months.
- During the tenure of fellowship, the fellow should neither change the place of work nor deviate from the broad research area for which the fellowship is sanctioned. The selected candidates shall be required to submit an Undertaking to this effect and also for adherence to the other conditions of the guidelines regulating the fellowship as
- prescribed by the ICAR, with the acceptance of the International Fellowship.
- The fellow will devote his/ her full time for his/ her chosen area of studies/ research work during the tenure of his/ her fellowship.
- Satisfactory progress in studies will be essential for the continuance of the fellowship during the period of study as reflected by the grades secured and certification by the advisor/ supervisor.
- In case of unsatisfactory performance in studies, or conduct probation, the fellowship will be terminated with immediate effect and the fellow will be required to meet the expenditure on remaining part of the programme from his/her own resources.
- This fellowship is not meant for the conduct of training or to carry out research of short duration.
Medical Fitness:
- Selected fellow would be required to get his/ her medical fitness test and medical insurance done at his/her own cost.
Payment of Fee:
- All fees chargeable by the host institution where the fellow is enrolled will be paid by the fellow himself out of the fellowship grant or from his/ her own resources.
IPR Issues:
- The fellow is expected to take proper measures to protect the Intellectual Property Rights likely to be generated during his/ her stay in the host institution. The Council will have the appropriate share on the patents/ knowledge generated by the fellow while pursuing the programme as specified under IP Management bulletin. If the fellow enters into any other IP agreement, the same will be appropriately shared with the Council. In all publications arising out of this work, the support from the Council should be duly acknowledged.
Completion Report:
- Both Indian and Overseas fellows will have to submit within 15 days of their completion of the program, a copy of the dissertation/thesis and a brief report on the activities undertaken including any significant research contribution to the Council.
Non-return of Indian Fellows to India:
- The Indian Fellows have to return back to India after completion of the Ph.D. degree. If the fresh Indian Fellow is offered a suitable position in ICAR-AU system, he/she shall serve the ICAR-AU system. In case of non-compliance to these provisions, entire amount paid to the Fellow along with 10% overhead cost will be recovered by the Council from the Fellow himself or from his surety, failing which, the Indian Embassy in the host country will be informed to take appropriate action.
Who is not eligible
| Ph.D. | Amount not exceeding | Lump-sum payments towards contingent and preparatory expenses |
| Indian fellows going abroad | US$ 2,000/- per month | US$ 1,000/- per year |
| Overseas fellows in India | INR 40,000/- per month | INR 25,000/- per year |
International Travel Support:
- To-and-fro economy class international air ticket by the shortest route is provided by ICAR.
- Applicable for both Indian and overseas fellows.
Domestic Travel Support for Overseas Fellows:
- Reimbursement of economy-class travel expenses from the port of arrival in India to the destination university and back.
Research Stay in India for Indian Fellows:
- Indian fellows conducting approved research experiments and data collection in India may receive Rs. 40,000/- per month fellowship.
- They may also receive Rs. 25,000/- per year as contingent and preparatory expenses during the approved stay in India.
Number of Fellowships:
- Up to 30 fellowships are available annually for Ph.D. programmes.
Papers to keep ready
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Registration walkthrough
Online
Step 1: The applicant should visit the ICAR website and review the detailed guidelines, priority research areas, and prescribed application format.
Step 2: The applicant should identify a priority area of study and prepare a research proposal relevant to Indian or global agriculture.
Step 3: The applicant should obtain admission or an acceptance letter from an identified host institution. Indian applicants must secure admission in an identified overseas institution, while overseas applicants must secure admission in an identified Indian Agricultural University.
Step 4: The applicant should obtain details of two referees, including their contact email addresses. One referee should preferably be the current supervisor (if employed), and the other should be an expert familiar with the applicant’s work.
Step 5: The applicant should complete the prescribed application form and attach all required supporting documents.
Step 6: The applicant should submit the completed application to the Assistant Director General (Human Resource Development), ICAR, through the prescribed mode, mentioning “Application for NSIF: Applicant Name and Contact Number” in the subject line if submitted by email.
Step 7: ICAR evaluates applications based on academic records, research proposal, achievements, work experience, and relevance of the proposed area of study.
Step 8: Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview conducted by the Selection Committee. The interview may be held in person, through telephone, or via teleconferencing.
Step 9: At the time of the interview, the applicant must furnish the admission acceptance letter from the host institution. In-service Indian applicants must also submit deputation approval from their parent institution.
Step 10: Selected applicants receive the fellowship award and must register for the Ph.D. programme within 1 year from the date of the award letter.
Mode of Selection:
- The candidates will be evaluated based on parameters/weighted scale thereby taking into account the relevance of the area of study, the proposed research plan, academic records, achievements and past work experience of the candidate.
- The selection will be made on the basis of evaluation score and subsequent interview by a Selection Committee, constituted by the Council and duly empowered to judge the suitability of candidate with regard to the importance of the area of study and the proposed research plan. The Committee may also decide to conduct telephonic / teleconferencing interview for the purpose. The overseas candidates may even be interviewed by experts as identified by the Council who may be based in their home country.
- The candidate should have clear record of good conduct all-through, duly certified by the Competent Authority of the University last attended or the present employer in case of in-service candidate.
- At the time of interview, the applicants must furnish a letter of acceptance for their admission in the respective degree programme at the University.
- The in-service Indian candidates must also furnish deputation approval by their respective Director of ICAR Institutes/Vice-Chancellor of Agricultural Universities.
- Once selected, the candidates must register for the programme within one year from the date of issue of letter of fellowship award. In case of delay, the offer will get terminated automatically and no separate communication towards cancellation will be issued by the Council.
Important dates
| Launch / start | 01 Jan 2010 |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is the "Netaji Subhas-ICAR International Fellowship"?
Required Document while submitting the online application
1.Photo, 2.Signature, 3.the documents of education qualification, 4.Proof of experience, 5.Proof of achievements, 6.Proof of publications.
Who implements this fellowship?
The Form Will Be Submitted Online At: Ttps://Education2.Icar.Gov.In/FellowShip/Netajisubhasnotification
What is the duration of the fellowship?
Yes!, Registration Is Required First At Https://Education2.Icar.Gov.In/FellowShip/Registration
Can the fellowship tenure be extended?
No, the fellowship tenure cannot be extended under ICAR support.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
Indian and overseas candidates with a Master's Degree in agriculture or allied sciences can apply, subject to eligibility conditions.
What is the minimum academic requirement?
The applicant must have an Overall Grade Point Average of at least 6.60 out of 10.00 or 65% marks or equivalent.
What is the age limit for fresh candidates?
A fresh candidate must not be more than 35 years of age on the last date of application.
What is the age limit for in-service candidates?
An in-service candidate must not be more than 40 years of age on the last date of application.
How many fellowships are available every year?
Up to 30 fellowships are available annually for Ph.D. programmes.
How much fellowship amount is provided to Indian fellows studying abroad?
Indian fellows studying abroad receive up to US$ 2,000/- per month and US$ 1,000/- per year as contingent and preparatory expenses.
How much fellowship amount is provided to overseas fellows studying in India?
Overseas fellows studying in India receive Rs. 40,000/- per month and Rs. 25,000/- per year as contingent and preparatory expenses.
Does the scheme provide travel assistance?
Yes, the scheme provides to-and-fro economy class international air travel support for both Indian and overseas fellows.
Is admission to a host institution required before selection?
Yes, the applicant is expected to obtain admission or an acceptance letter from an identified host institution.
How are candidates selected?
Candidates are selected based on academic performance, research proposal, achievements, work experience, evaluation score, and interview performance.
What happens if a fellow fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress?
The fellowship may be terminated, and the fellow may be required to continue the programme using personal resources.
Submit your application yourself on the official portal; it costs nothing. Treat anyone demanding money to "get you approved" as a scam.
- Website icar.org.in
tsmpb.in is not affiliated with any government department. Apply only on the official portal and never pay anyone for an application.
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