Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme: Apply Online, Eligibility & Benefits

Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, launched to attract accomplished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and professionals working abroad to premier government institutions and national laboratories in India across 14 national priority thematic areas. Applications are open from 1 June 2026 to 15 July 2026 at pmrc.education.gov.in.

Introduction of Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme: A Brief Insight

India produces world-class researchers every year, but a significant number of them build their careers at universities and laboratories abroad. Many highly accomplished Indian-origin researchers and professionals currently contribute to research and innovation ecosystems outside India. At the same time, India’s national priorities in areas like semiconductors, AI, clean energy, and healthcare demand cutting-edge research that only globally experienced scientists can lead. The PMRC Scheme aims to strengthen India’s research ecosystem by encouraging greater engagement of such global talent with Indian institutions.

The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, launched the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme as a Central Sector Scheme. Applications opened on 1 June 2026 and close on 15 July 2026 through the official portal at pmrc.education.gov.in. The scheme envisions engaging at least 120 distinguished researchers across three categories over five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The scheme operates through three core pillars, Lead Institutions, Host Institutions, and PMRC Fellows, with an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India overseeing selection.

The scheme offers three fellowship categories. Young Research Fellows are for early-career researchers with less than 5 years of post-PhD experience outside India. Senior Fellows are for mid-career researchers with 5 to less than 10 years of post-PhD experience. Research Chairs are for eminent researchers with 10 or more years of post-PhD experience with demonstrated research leadership. Financial support varies by category. Research Chairs receive a one-time research grant of Rs. 3 crore to Rs. 5 crore along with an annual fellowship fee, residential allowance, and relocation support.

Seven Lead Institutions provide strategic direction: IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and IISc Bengaluru. Host Institutions include government HEIs ranked in the Top 100 in NIRF Overall or Engineering and Top 50 in NIRF Research, along with national laboratories under DST, DBT, ICMR, and CSIR. Research covers 14 thematic areas, including Advanced Computing, Semiconductors, Healthcare and MedTech, Cybersecurity, Atomic Energy, Blue Economy, and Space and Defence.

Indian students and graduates looking for structured industry training and work experience before pursuing research can explore the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) implemented by the Ministry of Education, which provides one year of On-the-Job Training with a monthly stipend and a Certificate of Proficiency to engineering graduates and diploma holders at leading government and private establishments across India.

Apart from these, researchers, scientists, academicians, host institutions, and national laboratories can also explore more research fellowship programmes, academic grants, innovation support schemes, and higher education initiatives under our Central Government Schemes List section.

14 Thematic Areas Under Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme

The PMRC Scheme focuses on research and innovation activities across 14 nationally important thematic areas. Fellows and Host Institutions must align their research proposals with one or more of the following thematic areas. These areas will be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with evolving national priorities and global standards.

• Advanced Materials, Rare-earth and Critical Minerals
• Energy, Sustainability and Climate Change
• Agri and Food Technologies
• Semiconductors
• Advanced Computing, including Supercomputing, AI and Quantum Computing
• Healthcare and MedTech
• Space and Defence
• Next-Generation Communications, including Quantum Communication
• Blue Economy
• Cybersecurity
• Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
• Biotechnology
• Atomic Energy
• Any other project aligned with the National Missions as determined by the Empowered Committee

One Lead Institution is designated for each thematic area to provide strategic direction, coherence, and quality assurance across the PMRC ecosystem. Thematic areas guide the design and implementation of all research projects under the scheme.

Benefits Provided Under the Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme

PMRC Scheme provides comprehensive financial support, research infrastructure access, and professional development opportunities to both PMRC Fellows and Host Institutions.

Financial Support for PMRC Fellows

• Young Research Fellows receive an annual fellowship fee of Rs. 0.15 crore to Rs. 0.20 crore, a one-time research grant of Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.50 crore, an annual residential and medical allowance of Rs. 0.05 crore, and a one-time relocation benefit of Rs. 0.30 crore
• Senior Fellows receive an annual fellowship fee of Rs. 0.20 crore to Rs. 0.40 crore, a one-time research grant of Rs. 1.50 crore to Rs. 2.50 crore, an annual residential and medical allowance of Rs. 0.09 crore, and a one-time relocation benefit of Rs. 0.40 crore
• Research Chairs receive an annual fellowship fee of Rs. 0.40 crore to Rs. 0.60 crore, a one-time research grant of Rs. 3 crore to Rs. 5 crore, an annual residential and medical allowance of Rs. 0.15 crore, and a one-time relocation benefit of Rs. 0.50 crore
• Annual operational cost and institute overheads of Rs. 0.20 crore for Young Research Fellows, Rs. 0.30 crore for Senior Fellows, and Rs. 1 crore for Research Chairs
• Engagement period of up to 5 years from 2026-27 to 2030-31 based on performance

Research and Infrastructure Benefits for Fellows

• Access to advanced laboratories, libraries, research facilities, instrumentation, and computational resources at Host Institutions
• Support for the patenting process chain to convert research into commercial products and patents
• Open-access publication charges and the cost of patenting from jointly produced research may be enabled by the Host Institution
• Opportunity to collaborate with leading government institutions and national research laboratories across India
• Opportunity to mentor doctoral, postdoctoral, postgraduate students, and junior researchers
• Opportunity to teach and co-design courses contributing to curriculum enrichment at premier institutions
• Opportunity to facilitate international collaborations and co-funded research and development projects
• Fellows may also access support from other existing schemes, such as the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Benefits for Host Institutions

• Funding from the Department of Higher Education to enable Fellow research activities
• International academic collaborations with globally accomplished researchers and professionals
• Expanded research and innovation activities in 14 national priority sectors
• Stronger academia-industry linkages through sustained engagement and co-designed research programmes
• Improved quality of research and academic output, leading to improved international research rankings
• Increased patent filings across national priority sectors
• Enriched curriculum and teaching standards in STEM and applied research disciplines
• Opportunity to onboard leading industry partners through co-funded research projects

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The following eligibility conditions apply to Fellows and Host Institutions seeking to participate under the Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme as per the official Call for Applications issued by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.

Eligibility for PMRC Fellows

• Applicants must be of Indian origin, i.e. Indian Nationals working abroad, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are eligible
• Applicant must be working at leading foreign Higher Education Institutions, research laboratories, research institutions, reputed companies, or other industries abroad
• Applicant must demonstrate a distinguished track record in research as evidenced by publications, patents, awards, citations, or other internationally recognised indicators of excellence
• Applicant must be willing to work in-person at the Host Institution in India for the prescribed engagement period
• Applicant must be willing to commit to responsibilities, including research, teaching, and mentorship, during the engagement period
• The maximum tenure of engagement is 5 years based on performance
• Candidates currently based in India are also eligible, provided they meet the Indian-origin criterion and other requirements as determined by the Empowered Committee

Category-wise Post-PhD Experience Required

• Young Research Fellows (YRF): Early-career researchers with 0 to less than 5 years of post-PhD experience outside India
• Senior Fellows (SF): Mid-career researchers with 5 to less than 10 years of post-PhD experience outside India
• Research Chairs (RC): Eminent researchers with 10 years or more of post-PhD experience outside India with demonstrated research leadership

Eligibility for Host Institutions

• Government Higher Education Institutions ranked among the Top 100 in the NIRF Overall category
• Government Higher Education Institutions ranked among the Top 100 in the NIRF Engineering category
• Government Higher Education Institutions ranked among the Top 50 in the NIRF Research category
• National laboratories and research institutions under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), among others
• Host Institutions must demonstrate a strong research, development, and innovation environment, industry-academia linkages, a history of commercialising patents, and strong institutional research support
• Host Institutions can submit multiple applications across different thematic areas

Documents Required to be Attached

Documents required under the PMRC Scheme vary for Fellows and Host Institutions. All applications must be submitted through the official PMRC Portal.

For PMRC Fellows

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a full list of publications, patents, awards, and international engagements
• Proof of past work and educational qualifications
• Details of citizenship, visa, and any other documents supporting domicile or residency status
• Details of research outputs, patents granted and commercialised, and any other research or professional achievements aligned with a thematic area
• Details of preferred Host Institution, if any, including rationale for the choice
• Research proposal aligned with one or more of the 14 thematic areas under the scheme

For Host Institutions

• Institutional profile, research strengths, and existing infrastructure to support research in the proposed thematic area
• Proposed thematic area and research project description, including national importance, intended impact, potential outcomes, and methodological overview
• Details of the designated institutional liaison and Co-Principal Investigators
• Statement of institutional research, development, and innovation strength, including co-funding history, industry partnerships, patent history, student support, and research outputs
• Details of any existing collaborations relevant to the proposed thematic area
• Recommendations of up to 3 potential PMRC Fellows that the institution is interested in hosting

For any queries related to document requirements, applicants can contact the PMRC Cell at contact.pmrc@gov.in.

How Fellows and Institutions Can Apply Under the Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme

PMRC Scheme accepts online applications from both eligible Fellows and Host Institutions through the official PMRC portal. Applications opened on 1 June 2026 and close on 15 July 2026.

How PMRC Fellows Can Apply

Step 1: Visit the official PMRC portal at pmrc.education.gov.in and review the thematic areas, fellowship categories, and scheme guidelines carefully before applying.

Step 2: Select the appropriate fellowship category based on post-PhD experience — Young Research Fellow for 0 to less than 5 years, Senior Fellow for 5 to less than 10 years, or Research Chair for 10 years or more of post-PhD experience outside India.

Step 3: Register on the portal and begin filling out the Fellow application form with complete personal, professional, and academic details.

Step 4: Upload all required documents, including Curriculum Vitae with full publication and patent list, proof of past work and educational qualifications, citizenship and residency documents, and details of research outputs and achievements aligned with the preferred thematic area.

Step 5: Mention the preferred Host Institution, if any, along with the rationale for the choice. Fellows can also apply without nominating a specific Host Institution.

Step 6: Review all filled details carefully and submit the completed application before 15 July 2026. Keep the application reference for future tracking.

How Host Institutions Can Apply

Step 1: Visit the official PMRC portal at pmrc.education.gov.in and verify eligibility against NIRF ranking criteria and thematic area alignment before applying.

Step 2: Register the institution on the portal and begin the Host Institution application form.

Step 3: Prepare and upload the project proposal for the selected thematic area, including institutional profile, research strengths, existing infrastructure, proposed research description, intended national impact, and methodological overview. Host Institutions can submit multiple applications across different thematic areas.

Step 4: Provide details of the designated institutional liaison, Co-Principal Investigators, and a statement of institutional research, development, and innovation strength, including co-funding history, industry partnerships, patent history, and research outputs.

Step 5: Include recommendations of up to 3 potential PMRC Fellows the institution is interested in hosting, wherever applicable.

Step 6: Review all details carefully and submit the completed proposal before 15 July 2026.

Selection Process

After application submission, an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India oversees the selection process. Expert Committees evaluate submitted proposals by prospective Host Institutions and profiles of prospective PMRC Fellows. The Empowered Committee may also independently recommend high-calibre researchers and professionals to the fellowship who have the potential to significantly enhance research quality in specific thematic areas. Selected Fellows and Host Institutions are then mapped together and PMRC Fellows initiate research projects with their Host Institutions, supported by funding, infrastructure, and mentorship mechanisms.

Important: The Fellowship is in-person and selected Fellows will be expected to work at Host Institutions in India for the prescribed engagement period. For any queries related to the application process, contact the PMRC Cell at contact.pmrc@gov.in.

Important Links Available

• Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme Official Portal.
• Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme Guidelines.
• Ministry of Education, Government of India Official Portal.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

Fellows and Host Institutions facing queries related to PMRC Scheme eligibility, application process, thematic areas, or scheme guidelines can contact through the following official channels.

• Email: contact.pmrc@gov.in
• Department of Higher Education
  Ministry of Education, Government of India
  Kartavya Bhawan-2,
  New Delhi 110001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme?

Ans. Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, designed to attract accomplished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, technologists, and professionals working abroad to premier government Higher Education Institutions, national laboratories, and research centres in India to undertake cutting-edge research in 14 national priority sectors.

Q. When did applications open for the PMRC Scheme 2026?

Ans. Applications for both Fellows and Host Institutions opened on 1 June 2026 through the official PMRC portal at pmrc.education.gov.in. The last date for submission of applications is 15 July 2026.

Q. What is the engagement period under the PMRC Scheme?

Ans. The engagement period under the PMRC Scheme is up to 5 years from 2026-27 to 2030-31 based on the performance of the Fellow.

Q. How many researchers will the scheme engage?

Ans. The scheme envisions engaging at least 120 distinguished researchers, scientists, and professionals across the three categories – Young Research Fellows, Senior Fellows, and Research Chairs – over the five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31.

Q. What are the three categories of the PMRC Fellowship?

Ans. The scheme offers three categories of engagement. Young Research Fellows are for early-career researchers with 0 to less than 5 years of post-PhD experience outside India. Senior Fellows are for mid-career researchers with 5 to less than 10 years of post-PhD experience outside India. Research Chairs are for eminent researchers with 10 years or more of post-PhD experience outside India with demonstrated research leadership.

Q. Who is eligible to apply as a PMRC Fellow?

Ans. Indian Nationals working abroad, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) working at leading foreign Higher Education Institutions, research laboratories, research institutions, reputed companies, or other industries are eligible. Candidates currently based in India are also eligible, provided they meet the Indian-origin criterion and other requirements as determined by the Empowered Committee.

Q. Which institutions are eligible as Host Institutions under PMRC?

Ans. Government Higher Education Institutions ranked among the Top 100 in NIRF Overall or Engineering categories, or Top 50 in NIRF Research category, along with national laboratories and research institutions under DBT, DST, ICMR, and CSIR, are eligible as Host Institutions.

Q. What financial support do Young Research Fellows receive?

Ans. Young Research Fellows receive an annual fellowship fee of Rs. 0.15 crore to Rs. 0.20 crore, a one-time research grant of Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.50 crore, annual residential and medical allowance of Rs. 0.05 crore, and a one-time relocation benefit of Rs. 0.30 crore.

Q. What financial support do Research Chairs receive?

Ans. Research Chairs receive an annual fellowship fee of Rs. 0.40 crore to Rs. 0.60 crore, a one-time research grant of Rs. 3 crore to Rs. 5 crore, an annual residential and medical allowance of Rs. 0.15 crore, and a one-time relocation benefit of Rs. 0.50 crore.

Q. What are the 14 thematic areas under the PMRC Scheme?

Ans. The 14 thematic areas are Advanced Materials, Rare-earth and Critical Minerals, Energy, Sustainability and Climate Change, Agri and Food Technologies, Semiconductors, Advanced Computing including Supercomputing, AI and Quantum Computing, Healthcare and MedTech, Space and Defence, Next-Generation Communications including Quantum Communication, Blue Economy, Cybersecurity, Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, Biotechnology, Atomic Energy, and any other project aligned with the National Missions.

Q. What are the seven Lead Institutions under the PMRC Scheme?

Ans. The seven Lead Institutions are IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and IISc Bengaluru. One Lead Institution is designated for each thematic area to provide strategic direction and quality assurance across the PMRC ecosystem.

Q. Is the PMRC Fellowship in-person or remote?

Ans. The PMRC Fellowship is completely in-person. Selected Fellows are required to work physically at their Host Institutions in India for the prescribed engagement period.

Q. What are the responsibilities of PMRC Fellows?

Ans. PMRC Fellows are expected to conduct original high-impact research, teach and co-design courses, mentor doctoral and postdoctoral students and junior researchers, facilitate international collaborations and publications, engage with industry partners to promote applied research, ensure research translates into commercial products and patents, and submit periodic progress reports to the Empowered Committee.

Q. Who oversees the selection of Fellows and Host Institutions?

Ans. An Empowered Committee, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, oversees the selection process. Expert Committees evaluate proposals from Host Institutions and profiles of prospective PMRC Fellows.

Q. Can a Host Institution submit multiple applications?

Ans. Yes. Host Institutions can submit multiple project proposals across different thematic areas through the official PMRC portal.

Q. Where can applicants apply for the PMRC Scheme?

Ans. Both Fellows and Host Institutions can apply online through the official PMRC portal at pmrc.education.gov.in before 15 July 2026. For queries, contact the PMRC Cell at contact.pmrc@gov.in.

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Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.