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Education & Learning

ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) offers Postdoctoral Fellowships to encourage original and quality research by young and mid-career scholars in the field of social sciences. It is designed for researchers who have just finished their Ph.D. in advanced social science research.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

1) Monthly Fellowship amount @ Rs.31,000 per month | 2) Contingency Grant @ Rs.20,000 per annum | 3) API points as per the UGC Guidelines in force at the point of time | 4) Institutional overhead (7.5%) – supports the hosting institution.

Who can apply

1) The applicant must be an Indian citizen. | 2) Must be under 45 years of age (5-year relaxation for SC/ST/PwD). | 3) Must possess a Ph.D. in a social science discipline. | 4) Must have demonstrable research competence via publications. | 5) Must affiliate with a public-funded Indian institution approved for Ph.D. | 6) Must have a supervisor who is a serving faculty (Associate Professor or above). | 7) Applicant must not be a defaulter of any ICSSR grant/project/fellowship.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the monthly fellowship amount?

₹31,000 per month.

What is the contingency grant used for?

Research-related expenses like books, fieldwork, and stationery.

Do I need to have publications?

Yes, fellows are expected to publish at least two peer-reviewed papers.

How is the fellowship amount disbursed?

The amount is disbursed in instalments through the affiliating institution upon submission of the required reports and bills.

Can I apply if I am over 45?

Only if you qualify for SC/ST/PwD categories - age relaxation (up to 5 years).

Is it mandatory to have a Ph.D. before applying?

Yes, Ph.D. is required at the time of application.

Can the research topic be the same as my Ph.D. thesis?

No, it must be an original and distinct study.

Can I apply if I am affiliated with a private university?

No, only public-funded institutions are eligible.

Can I have any other job or project during the fellowship?

No, full-time research is mandatory.

Where can I apply for the fellowship?

Through the ICSSR website during the open call.

What language can I use for the proposal?

English or Hindi (Unicode 8/UTF-8).

Can I submit multiple applications under this scheme?

No, only one application is allowed per call.

What documents are required after selection?

All the documents mentioned in the call or as communicated via phone or email.