PRL's Vikram Sarabhai Postdoctoral Fellowship (VISHWAS)

What is the VISHWAS fellowship?

VISHWAS is the Vikram Sarabhai Postdoctoral Fellowship offered by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, a unit of the Department of Space and part of the wider science ecosystem under the Ministry of Science and Technology. The fellowship commemorates the vision of Prof. Vikram Sarabhai, the founder of PRL and a father figure of the Indian space programme.

According to the PRL portal, VISHWAS is aimed at "highly motivated young doctorates with a proven record of excellence in research." It gives early-career scientists two to three years of well-funded freedom to pursue disruptive and advanced research in fundamental science that has societal implications, aligned with PRL's research areas, which span astronomy and astrophysics, planetary science, atmospheric and space science, geosciences, and theoretical and atomic-molecular physics.

Key features

• Monthly fellowship of Rs 1 lakh, plus HRA and other facilities per PRL / Department of Space rules.
• Tenure of a maximum of two years, with annual renewal review, extendable by one additional year if justified.
• Up to three fellowships available.
• Applications accepted in four quarterly cycles a year.

Who is eligible for the VISHWAS fellowship?

You can apply if:

• You are an Indian national.
• You hold a PhD awarded within the last four years (or expect to defend imminently, per the current call).
• You are under 35 years of age on the application deadline.
• You have a first-class academic record throughout your career.
• You can propose advanced fundamental research aligned with PRL's areas and secure three referees willing to recommend you.

You cannot apply if:

• You are not an Indian national.
• Your PhD was awarded more than four years ago, or you are above the age limit. The fellowship is deliberately restricted to early-career researchers.
• Your proposed work falls outside PRL's research areas, or you cannot arrange three recommendations from referees outside PRL.

This is a competitive research fellowship, not a broad entitlement. Only a small number of candidates are selected each cycle.

How much does VISHWAS pay?

VISHWAS pays a monthly fellowship of Rs 1 lakh, along with House Rent Allowance and other facilities as per PRL and Department of Space rules. The appointment is for a maximum of two years, subject to an annual renewal review of progress, and can be extended by one more year where the research justifies it — a total possible tenure of three years.

The fellowship is a stipend for research, not a salary against a sanctioned post, and confers no right to continued employment at PRL after it ends.

What documents are required for VISHWAS?

How to apply for the VISHWAS fellowship

1. Read the current call on the VISHWAS page at prl.res.in and confirm which quarterly cycle is open: deadlines fall around 30 November, end of February, 31 May and 31 August.
2. Prepare your research proposal for disruptive, advanced fundamental science aligned with one of PRL's research areas, together with your list of publications.
3. Complete the online application form on the PRL website and upload your PhD certificate, mark sheets and proof of age.
4. Arrange three recommendation letters from referees outside PRL, who send them directly to the postdoctoral fellowship (PDF) committee at the email address given in the call.
5. Attend the interview if shortlisted. The selection committee evaluates your credentials, proposal and recommendations, and interacts with you online or in person in the presence of the proposed PRL mentor.

Help and where to check

• PRL, Ahmedabad: the laboratory's board line is 079-26314000; specific queries go to the PDF committee email listed in the VISHWAS call.
• Because the deadlines rotate every quarter and the fine print can change between cycles, always confirm the current terms on the official VISHWAS page before applying rather than relying on an earlier notice.