Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship
The Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship pays selected PhD holders Rs 50,000 a month plus Rs 50,000 a year contingency for up to three years of full-time research. Around 900 fellowships are offered, with 30% reserved for women. Unemployed doctorate holders under 35 apply online through the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal.
| Ministry | Ministry of Education |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Rs 50,000 per month for 3 years plus Rs 50,000 per year contingency |
| Maximum benefit | Rs 50,000 per month |
| Application mode | Online through the UGC FRG portal |
| Helpline | 011-23604446, 011-23604200 |
| Official website | https://frg.ugc.ac.in/ |
What is the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship?
The Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a University Grants Commission (UGC) scheme under the Ministry of Education that supports full-time post-doctoral research by candidates who already hold a PhD. It is named after Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the scholar-philosopher and second President of India, and consolidates the UGC's earlier separate post-doctoral fellowship streams into a single programme.
According to UGC scheme information, the fellowship pays Rs 50,000 per month for a tenure of up to three years, together with an annual contingency grant of Rs 50,000 for books, travel, and research expenses. Candidates with a disability additionally receive an escort or reader allowance of Rs 3,000 per month. Roughly 900 fellowships are offered, and 30% are reserved for women.
The scheme is designed to give freshly qualified doctorate holders a bridge period, time and a stipend to publish, deepen a research agenda, or complete a focused project, before they move into regular academic or research posts.
Who is eligible for the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship?
You can apply if:
- You already hold a PhD degree and are currently unemployed.
- You scored at least 55% at the postgraduate level (relaxed to 50% for SC, ST, OBC, PwD and women candidates).
- You are within the age limit, 35 years for the general category, relaxed to 40 years for women, transgender persons, and reserved category applicants.
- You have secured a mentor (Associate Professor or above) and a host institution that is UGC-recognised — a university, deemed university, centrally funded institution or institution of national importance.
You cannot apply if:
- You are in regular salaried employment. The fellowship is meant only for unemployed PhD holders, and it is discontinued the day a fellow joins a regular job.
- You have not yet been awarded your PhD. The degree must be complete.
- You have already availed a UGC post-doctoral fellowship. The award is a one-time benefit.
Reservation for SC, ST, OBC and Persons with Disabilities applies as per Government of India norms across the pool of fellowships.
What documents are required?
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PhD degree certificate / award notification | Yes | Proof that the doctorate is complete |
| Postgraduate mark sheet | Yes | 55% minimum, 50% for reserved categories |
| Age proof | Yes | Class 10 certificate or equivalent |
| Research proposal | Yes | Endorsed by the mentor and host institution |
| Mentor and institution consent letter | Yes | From a UGC-recognised institution |
| Category certificate | No | Only for SC/ST/OBC/PwD relaxation |
How to apply for the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship
- Wait for the annual advertisement to appear on the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant (FRG) portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and on the UGC website.
- Register on the portal with your email and mobile number, then log in.
- Fill in the online application with your academic record, PhD details, proposed research area, mentor and host institution.
- Upload the PhD certificate, PG mark sheet, age proof, research proposal, mentor consent and (if applicable) category certificate.
- Submit the form before the notified last date and save the acknowledgement for your records.
Selection is merit-based, assessed by UGC-appointed expert committees on the strength of the candidate's academic record and research proposal. There is no fee to apply on the official portal.
How much does the fellowship provide?
The Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship provides Rs 50,000 per month as fellowship, plus Rs 50,000 per year as contingency, for a fixed three-year tenure that cannot be extended. Persons with a disability receive an additional Rs 3,000 per month escort/reader allowance. The amount is paid through the host institution, which draws it against the UGC sanction.
A note on scope
This is a niche, competitive research fellowship, not a broad public benefit. It serves a specific audience: unemployed PhD holders under 35 who want a funded bridge into research careers. Prospective applicants should confirm the exact current rates, slot count and last date in the live UGC advertisement on frg.ugc.ac.in each cycle, since fellowship rates are revised by the UGC from time to time.
Help and contact
- UGC: 011-23604446, 011-23604200
- UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal: frg.ugc.ac.in
- Grievances on a submitted application are raised through the FRG portal helpdesk.
Documents required
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship pay?
The Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship pays Rs 50,000 per month for up to three years, along with an annual contingency grant of Rs 50,000. Candidates with a disability additionally receive a Rs 3,000 per month escort/reader allowance. The tenure is fixed at three years and is not extendable.
Who is eligible for the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship?
Unemployed candidates who already hold a PhD and scored at least 55% at the postgraduate level (50% for reserved categories) are eligible. The general age limit is 35 years, relaxed to 40 for women, transgender and reserved category applicants. The research must be hosted at a UGC-recognised university or institution of national importance.
How many fellowships are available and is there a reservation for women?
Around 900 fellowships are offered under the scheme, with 30% reserved for women candidates. Reservation for SC, ST, OBC and Persons with Disabilities applies as per Government of India norms.
Which subjects does the fellowship cover?
The fellowship covers Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences and Languages. It was created by merging the earlier UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship streams into a single scheme named after Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
Can a candidate already in a job apply?
No. The fellowship is meant for unemployed PhD holders only. Candidates in regular salaried employment cannot apply, and the fellowship is discontinued if the fellow takes up a regular job during the tenure.
How do I apply for the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship?
Applications are made online through the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in when the annual advertisement is released. You register, fill in academic and research details, upload documents and submit before the notified last date.
Is the fellowship extendable beyond three years?
No. The tenure is fixed at three years and cannot be extended. It is a one-time, non-renewable award intended to support a focused post-doctoral research project.
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