The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has launched its Doctoral Fellowship schemes for the fiscal year 2025-26. This is an excellent opportunity for scholars in social sciences and humanities to receive financial support, academic backing, and institutional recognition for pursuing high-quality research on India’s socio-economic challenges.
Fellowship Schemes & Grant Details
ICSSR will award three types of doctoral fellowships:
| Scheme | Duration | Financial Assistance |
| Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship | 2 years | ₹20,000/month + ₹20,000 contingency per year |
| Short-Term Doctoral Fellowship | 6 months (or until thesis submission) | Fellowship equivalent to 6 months of full-term amount + contingency |
| Contingency Grant Scheme | One-time | ₹62,500 (for scholars at advanced stage) |
These schemes aim to support scholars at various phases of their PhD journey.
Important Dates & Application Portal
- Start of application window: 22 September 2025
- Last day to apply: 21 October 2025
- Application portal: app.icssr.org
It is strongly advised to submit your application well before the deadline to avoid technical or procedural delays.
Research Areas & Priority Topics
ICSSR supports work across 29 broad domains in social and human sciences. Some of the priority areas include:
- Economics & Development: rural development, gig economy, green economy, fintech
- Commerce & Management: entrepreneurship, CSR, digital systems
- Sociology & Social Work: inclusion, informal labour, education & technology
- Political Science & IR: cultural diplomacy, democracy, human rights
- Public Administration & Governance: decentralisation, e-governance, reforms
- Health & Public Health: mental health, AYUSH, digital health
- Education & Skilling: NEP 2020, AI in education, teacher training
- Environment & Sustainability: climate change, biodiversity, SDGs
- Law & Legal Studies: judicial reform, digital rights, criminal justice
- Others: Gender Studies, Tribal Studies, Media Studies, Diaspora Studies, Indian Knowledge Systems, etc.
Applicants are encouraged to frame proposals that are interdisciplinary and socially relevant.
Eligibility Criteria
General Requirements (applies to most schemes)
- Must be a full-time PhD student enrolled in a UGC-recognized institution, an Institute of National Importance, or an ICSSR research institute
- Age limit: ≤ 40 years as of the application deadline (relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/PwD)
- Minimum academic record: 55% in postgraduate studies (5% relaxation for reserved categories)
- UGC-NET requirement: Typically required; up to 10% of fellowships may be awarded to non-NET candidates with exceptional proposals
- Applicants who already hold major fellowships (UGC-JRF, RGNF, MANF, CSIR, ICSSR, etc.) are not eligible
Scheme-Specific Conditions
- Short-Term Fellowship: Applicant must have completed at least 3 years of PhD research
- Contingency Grant: For scholars at an advanced stage of research
- Others: Some schemes may have additional specific requirements
Application Process & Documents Required
- Submit your application online via the ICSSR portal
- You may apply in English or Hindi (Unicode Mangal font for Devanagari)
- Required documents include:
- Educational certificates & PG mark sheets
- UGC-NET certificate (if applicable)
- PhD registration certificate & topic approval
- Forwarding letters from supervisor & institution
- Valid SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD certificate (if applicable)
- Note: Incomplete applications or those without forwarding letters will be rejected
Institutional mode applicants must get their applications routed via ICSSR research institutes.
Selection, Monitoring & Expectations
- Proposals will be evaluated by expert committees
- Merit lists will be published on the ICSSR website
- Reservation norms (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD) will be strictly followed
- Shortlisted candidates for some schemes may be invited for presentations
During the fellowship:
- Scholars must submit six-monthly and annual progress reports
- At least two research papers in peer-reviewed journals must be published
- All publications and the final thesis must acknowledge ICSSR
- Fellowship may be terminated if progress is unsatisfactory or rules are violated
Why You Should Apply
These fellowships offer more than just financial support. They provide:
- Relief from monetary constraints during PhD
- A framework to produce socially relevant and interdisciplinary research
- Enhanced visibility and academic credentials
- Access to networks in academia, policy, and research institutions
For scholars in social sciences, an ICSSR fellowship can significantly strengthen your research trajectory.
