WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF)

What is the WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) is a fellowship of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, offered under the WISE-KIRAN programme, DST's umbrella for women in science, which succeeded the earlier Women Scientists Scheme and KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) initiatives.

WISE-PDF is aimed at women who already hold a PhD and want to continue in research at the post-doctoral stage. A recurring goal of DST's women-in-science programmes is to help women scientists stay in, or return to, research careers: particularly after a break taken for family or other reasons. WISE-PDF provides a structured, women-only route to do exactly that: a woman doctorate holder attaches to a host institution and mentor and carries out a defined post-doctoral research project with DST support.

Applications are handled online through the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in, where DST publishes its calls for proposals for women-scientist fellowships.

Key facts confirmed on the official portal

• Run by DST under the WISE-KIRAN umbrella for women in science.
• A women-only fellowship.
• Requires a completed PhD, it is a post-doctoral track.
• Applications through the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in.

Who is eligible for WISE-PDF?

You can apply if:

• You are a woman who holds a PhD in science, engineering or technology.
• You wish to pursue post-doctoral research with a host institution and mentor.
• You are looking to continue or return to research, including after a break in your career.

You cannot apply if:

• You are a man: WISE-PDF is a women-only fellowship and men are not eligible.
• You have not yet been awarded a PhD — pre-doctoral candidates cannot apply to this post-doctoral track.
• You want to work on a non-research, societal-challenge project, in that case WISE-SCOPE is the more appropriate WISE-KIRAN track.

The precise age band, permissible career-break length and fellowship rates are set out in each year's call document and are revised periodically, so confirm them in the current WISE-PDF call on onlinedst.gov.in before applying.

What does WISE-PDF provide?

WISE-PDF provides a monthly post-doctoral fellowship and research support to the selected woman scientist, as per DST norms. The exact rate depends on the current DST post-doctoral fellowship structure. This guide does not state a rupee figure, because DST revises these rates from time to time and the authoritative amount is the one published in the live call document: always verify it there.

How to apply for WISE-PDF

1. Open the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in and look for an open WISE-PDF call for proposals.
2. Register on the portal and complete your profile.
3. Prepare a post-doctoral research proposal in the DST WISE-PDF format, with a host institution and mentor identified.
4. Attach your PhD certificate, host-institution consent and identity documents.
5. Submit online before the deadline, then await evaluation by DST's expert committee.

How WISE-PDF fits into WISE-KIRAN

WISE-KIRAN groups several women-only fellowships. WISE-PDF is the post-doctoral research track for PhD holders. WISE-SCOPE (Societal Challenges with Opportunities) supports women applying their S&T background to societal problems. Related calls such as WIDUSHI target senior women scientists. Picking the right track matters. A PhD holder pursuing academic research fits WISE-PDF, whereas a woman scientist without a PhD, or one focused on a community problem, fits WISE-SCOPE.

What to prepare before the call opens

WISE-PDF calls open for a limited window, so preparation matters. Registration on the DST e-PMS portal is a one-time process and the same account works across DST calls, so set it up early instead of during the closing rush. Because this is a post-doctoral track, the two things that most often hold applicants up are the host institution and mentor arrangement and a well-defined research proposal, secure both before the deadline. Have your PhD certificate scanned and ready, along with identity and address proof. If you are returning after a career break, keep any documentation that explains the gap, since supporting women who re-enter research is a central purpose of the WISE-KIRAN programme. A proposal that clearly states the research question, method and expected contribution reads far better to an expert committee than a broad statement of interest.

Help and where to verify

• The authoritative source for eligibility, fellowship amounts and open calls is the DST e-PMS portal at onlinedst.gov.in.
• DST e-PMS support email: pmso.dst@nic.in.

Because DST-hosted scheme pages were not fully reachable at the time of writing, this guide records only facts confirmed on the DST e-PMS portal and deliberately omits any fellowship rupee amount that could not be verified there. Confirm all figures and the current call status on onlinedst.gov.in before applying. Last fact-checked 1 August 2026.