Dr. S Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship 2025

A Ph.D. journey doesn’t end with the submission of a thesis but it starts a new phase of challenge for young scholars. After years of hard work, dedication, and long nights of research, many scholars are wondering the question: what’s next? Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program fills this gap. Not only it provides financial support but also enables the young Indian scholars to continue their career in research, contributing their ideas without the fear of inadequate funding and unemployment.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna scholar, philosopher, and a former President of India who has strong proponent of the transformative potential of education developed this program. His dedication to learning and teaching emphasized creating knowledge producers. This fellowship program supports Ph.D. holders as they transform into self-sufficient researchers who reflect the academic leaders.

  Dr. S Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship| what is it?

This fellowship program offers financial support to the candidates for three years including Engineering, Science, Technology, Humanities, Languages, and Social Sciences. It is especially for those candidates who are unemployed post-doctoral researchers under 35, ensuring that young scholars from all categories take advantage of this opportunity.

This fellowship enables young scholars to continue their academic research under the supervision of their mentor, at a reputable university or research center in India. In other ways, this program is an invitation to go deeper and concentrate in research without the pressure of employment and low-wage teaching positions.

But it’s not just about age or academic scores. It supports many young women scholars to pursue their Ph.D. under the supervision of research mentors at a recognized university or research institution in India. Additionally, this program, go deeper, and focus, without the burden of job hunting or underpaying teaching gigs.

Objectives

The primary goal of the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship is simple and effective:
To encourage and support young Ph.D. scholars to pursue academic goals.

Most young scholars face a crucial stage after completing their Ph.D.- full of ideas but a lack of funding and financial support. This program does the following step to fill that gap by;

•     Support financial stability for unemployed youngsters.
  ●      Promote advanced and unique research in any acknowledged academic field.
  ●      Assisting young scholars to gain research and teaching experience at recognized institutions.
  ●      Prioritize women and underrepresented groups by establishing academic growth.
  ●      Developing a pipeline of future faculty and intellectual leaders for India’s recognized research institutes.

Essentially, it’s not about developing talent and financial support but it also nurturing academic growth, advancing equity, and fortifying the potential future of education and research.

In essence, it’s not just about funding—it’s about nurturing talent, promoting equity, and strengthening the future of higher education and research in India.

Benefits of Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The benefits are significant. Here are the following

Candidate scholarship is about 50,000/month. It also covers individual expenses travel, books, and material annually which is about 50,000 INR. Similarly, some additional allowances like accommodation, or house rent (HRA) and 3000 per month for scholars with disabilities will be provided. This type of organization provides financial and psychological relief for young researchers in the very early phase of their career.

Eligibility Criteria

The scholars must meet the eligibility criteria for the UGC Fellowship program.

• The scholar must be under 35.SC\OBS\SCT\PWD\Women and    Transgender will be given a 5% relaxation of age.
• Applicants must fulfil their post-doctoral degree at a reputable UGC institute/university in India.
• Applicant will be eligible in this fellowship program if he/she is not engaged in any employment contract or service.
• You are not eligible for this program if you are already enrolled in this fellowship Program.
• An unemployed Ph.D. degree holder is eligible for this program in the following fields, including: Engineering, Science, Technology, Social Science, or Humanities, including a language from an Indian recognized institute\University.
•     Applicant should work under the supervision and guidance of a professor/supervisor from a reputable institute/University.

Important Dates:

Official last date to apply

Not yet announced

 

Expected timeline (unofficial)

Aug–Sep 2025

 

Historical data (2022 cycle)

Deadline: October 10, 2022

 

Guideline for Utilizing Contingency Grant

• Fellows can use this grant to buy small things like a computer or lab equipment, but the cost should be less than 50,000.
• Fellows can also buy chemicals or research materials, but the total should not be more than ₹1 lakh per year.
• These purchases must be approved by the university, and after the fellowship ends, all items must be returned to the university.

 

 Medical Assistance

you can use the medical services offered by your university or college, just like other students.

Hostel Stay (Accommodation)

The university will usually offer hostel rooms for fellows to stay in.

Fellows will need to pay for the hostel room, and also cover extra charges like food, electricity, and water bills on their own.

Dr. S Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship Apply Online

• Go to the UGC (University Grants Commission) website
• Find the Fellowship Section, look for the section called “Scholarships/Fellowships”
• Then click on “New Registration” and fill in the basic details like your name, email ID, mobile number, and create a password.
• Fill out the Application Form with all the required data, such as Personal and academic details, Details of your Ph.D. and research experience, proposed postdoctoral research topic, and Contact details of your research supervisor
• Upload Required Documents
• Double-check all your details and documents, then click “Submit” to complete your application.

Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship Login

1. Enter your User ID
2. Type your Password
3. Fill in the Captcha code shown on the screen

Then, just click on the “Login” button to access your application dashboard and continue with the next steps.

Selection process

Once you apply, your application and research proposal will be carefully reviewed by at least three experts. They will look at a few key things such as

• Your achievements during your Ph.D.
• The reputation of your research mentor
• The quality and location of the research institution where you plan to do your postdoctoral work
• After all this review, the selected candidates will be announced on the official UGC website.
• If you get selected, you will be able to download your award letter directly from the UGC website.

FAQs – Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship

1. Who can apply for this fellowship?

Ph.D. holders (or those with provisional Ph.D. certificates) who are unemployed and below 35 years of age (with 5-year age relaxation for reserved categories, women, PWD, and transgender individuals).

2. What are the minimum academic qualifications required?

• Undergraduate (UG): Minimum 55% marks
• Postgraduate (PG): Minimum 60% marks
  (5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/PWD/Women/Transgender applicants)

3. Can employed candidates apply?

No. This fellowship is strictly for unemployed candidates at the time of application.

4. What disciplines are covered under this fellowship?

Only candidates from:

• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Languages

are eligible.

5. What is the age limit?

• General category: Up to 35 years
• Reserved categories/Women/PWD/Transgender: Up to 40 years

6. How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship is awarded for a fixed period of 3 years. No extension is granted beyond this period.

7. What is the financial support offered?

• Fellowship: ₹50,000/month (fixed for 3 years)
• Contingency: ₹50,000/year
• Escort/Reader Allowance: ₹3,000/month (for PWD only)

8. Do I need a mentor or host institution to apply?

Yes. Applicants must secure:

• A mentor (minimum rank: Associate Professor)
• A No Objection Certificate (NOC) signed by the mentor, Head of Department, and Head of Institution

9. Can I change the research institution later?

Only under exceptional circumstances and with written approval from the UGC. It is not encouraged.

10. Is HRA provided?

Yes. If hostel accommodation is unavailable, HRA is paid as per government norms (requires certificate from institution stating non-availability of hostel).

11. Can I avail of leave during the fellowship?

Yes:

• Earned Leave: 30 days/year
• Maternity/Paternity Leave: Allowed once during tenure
• Academic Leave: Up to 1 year (unpaid; tenure may be paused)

12. How do I apply?

• Applications are submitted online via https://frg.ugc.ac.in during the official notification window.
• Applicants must upload academic documents, Ph.D. certificate, research proposal, and NOC.

13. What is the selection process?

UGC evaluates applications based on:

• Academic record
• Research proposal quality
• Mentor and institutional support

14. What happens after selection?

• UGC issues an award letter.
• Fellowship begins only after joining report and other documents are submitted.

15. Can I apply for other fellowships while on this one?

No. This is a full-time research fellowship, and holding another concurrent fellowship is not allowed.

16. Where can I get updates?

• Official UGC site: https://www.ugc.gov.in
• FRG portal: https://frg.ugc.ac.in
• Employment News and national newspapers
• UGC social media pages

17. What is deadline to apply?

Historical data (2022 cycle)

Deadline: October 10, 2022