MHRD extends Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) scheme to Central Universities

PMRF extended to Central Universities: As per media reports, MHRD is planning to extend the Prime Minister's Research Fellows (PMRF) scheme to various Central Universities. The report claims that the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) will soon roll out instructions to include Central Universities as host institutes for carrying our research in the domains of Science and Technology. PMRF scheme was initially limited to premier engineering colleges such as IITs and IISc as host institutes.

Which Central Universities will be included?

The decision to extend PMRF scheme to Central Universities was taken recently by the HRD Ministry. However, the ministry has put strict eligibility norms to select the Central Universities to which the PMRF will be applicable. As per the new directive, only those Central Universities, which are featured in the top 100 Ranking in the NIRF’s List of Universities will be included as host institutes under PMRF.

What is PMRF Scheme?

Prime Minister’s Research Fellows is a flagship scheme launched by PM Narendra Modi to promote research and innovation in the fields of science and technology during his first term in office as PM. According to the scheme guidelines, 1000 best engineering students i.e. those who have completed or are about to complete B.Tech or Integrated M.Tech / M.Sc programmes in Science & Technology allied fields; will be selected for direct admission to PhD programmes offered at IITs or IISc. However, following the revision of host institute criteria, Central Universities who feature in the top 100 rankings of NIRF will also be treated as host institutes to carry out research under the scheme. A maximum of 3000 fellows from across the country are selected every year under the PMRF scheme.

Benefits of being a PMRF Fellow

The PMRF Fellowship scheme offers several benefits to the selected students. Fellows selected for PMRF are offered a fellowship of Rs.70,000 per month for the first two years, Rs.75,000 per month for the 3rd year, and Rs.80,000 per month in the 4th and 5th years. Additionally, fellows are also eligible for a research grant of Rs 2 lakh for a period of five years which will include their foreign travel expense for presentation of their research at international forums and seminars.