WISE-KIRAN Documents Required: Complete Checklist

Before you open the application on onlinedst.gov.in, assemble seven core documents: your degree certificate, date-of-birth proof, research proposal in the DST proforma, mentor consent, host-institution endorsement, an employment-status declaration, and, if you are claiming the age relaxation, a category certificate. Getting these ready first is what prevents the incomplete-file rejection that sinks so many WISE-KIRAN applications.

One-line reminder: WISE-KIRAN is DST's women-only umbrella of research fellowships (WISE-PhD, WISE-PDF, WISE-SCOPE, WIDUSHI and more), applied for online during announced calls.

The complete WISE-KIRAN document checklist

#	Document	Mandatory	What it proves
1	Postgraduate / PhD degree certificate and marksheets	Yes	Your qualification for the chosen component
2	Date of birth proof (matriculation certificate)	Yes	You fall in the component's age band
3	Research proposal in the DST proforma	Yes	The scientific plan, timeline and budget
4	Host-institution acceptance and endorsement	Yes	The institution will provide lab space and facilities
5	Mentor / supervisor consent	Yes	A named mentor has agreed to guide the work
6	Declaration of employment status	Yes	Confirms eligibility (WISE-PhD is for unemployed women)
7	Category certificate	No	Needed only to claim the 3-year age relaxation
8	Break-in-career statement	No	For WISE-SCOPE and re-entry routes

What each document must show

1. Degree certificate and marksheets. The qualification required depends on the component: an M.Sc., M.Phil., M.Tech., M.Pharm. or B.Tech. for WISE-PhD; a PhD for WISE-PDF, WISE-SCOPE and WIDUSHI. Upload both the certificate and marksheets so DST can verify the discipline and class.

2. Date of birth proof. Each component has its own age band and DST checks age strictly as on the closing date of the call. A matriculation (Class 10) certificate is the standard proof. A mismatch between this date and your claimed age is an immediate screen-out.

3. Research proposal. Prepare it in the DST proforma for the specific component; objectives, methodology, work plan, timeline and budget. Using a generic format, or exceeding the component's duration or budget limits (for example a WISE-PhD plan beyond five years), causes rejection on non-compliance.

4. Host-institution endorsement. DST fellowships are held at an institution, not in a personal capacity. The letter must confirm the institution will host you and provide laboratory space and facilities.

5. Mentor or supervisor consent. A signed consent from the proposed mentor or PhD supervisor at the host institution. Get this early, chasing signatures near the deadline is the top cause of late, incomplete files.

6. Employment-status declaration. WISE-PhD is open only to unemployed women, so the declaration is load-bearing. Complete it honestly; a declaration that contradicts your record leads to rejection.

7. Category certificate (conditional). Upload a valid SC/ST/physically-challenged certificate only if you are claiming the three-year upper-age relaxation. Without it, the relaxation is not applied — it is never automatic.

8. Break-in-career statement (conditional). For WISE-SCOPE and re-entry routes, a short statement explaining the gap and the intended research area.

Format and upload tips

• Prepare each document as a clear scan in the file type and size the portal specifies in the call notice; oversized or unreadable scans are a common upload failure.
• Name files by content (for example degree-certificate.pdf) so you upload the right one against each field.
• Keep the original signed mentor consent and institutional endorsement; DST may ask for hard copies depending on the call.
• Note your reference number after submission as proof of a completed online filing.

Common document mistakes

• Claiming the age relaxation without a category certificate, the relaxation is denied.
• A generic proposal instead of the DST proforma for the exact component.
• Missing mentor consent or host endorsement, which makes the file incomplete regardless of scientific merit.
• A date-of-birth proof that conflicts with the age claimed in the form.
• Uploading after the call closes, WISE-KIRAN runs on announced calls, not rolling applications.

FAQ

Do I need a category certificate? Only if you are claiming the three-year age relaxation as an SC, ST or physically-challenged applicant.

Which degree do I upload? The one required by your component, a PG degree for WISE-PhD, a PhD for WISE-PDF, WISE-SCOPE and WIDUSHI.

Are hard copies required? Check each call notice; DST accepts online submissions on e-PMS but may additionally ask for hard copies.

Sources: WISE-KIRAN, DST, WISE-PhD, DST, DST e-PMS.