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Education & Learning

ICSSR Senior Fellowship

The Indian Council of Social scientific Research (ICSSR), under the Ministry of Education, offers a Senior Fellowship Scheme designed to assist accomplished Indian researchers in conducting advanced social science research.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

1) Monthly Fellowship amount @ Rs.45,000 per month | 2) Contingency Grant @ Rs.40,000 per annum | 3) API points as per the UGC Guidelines in force at the point of time

Who can apply

1) The applicant must be an Indian citizen. | 2) Must have a Ph.D. in any Social Science discipline. | 3) Age: Between 45 to 70 years as on the last application date. | 4) Must have an established publication record in reputed journals or books. | 5) Must be affiliated with a UGC-recognized or ICSSR research institute. | 6) Should not be availing any other fellowship concurrently. | 7) Must not be a defaulter of ICSSR funds.

Required Paperwork

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

Common Questions

What is the monetary benefit of the Senior Fellowship?

The fellowship provides ₹45,000 per month and a contingency grant of ₹40,000 per annum.

How is the fellowship amount disbursed?

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

What is the contingency grant meant for?

It covers research assistance, books, stationery, fieldwork, and computer-related expenses.

Who can apply for the Senior Fellowship?

Indian citizens aged between 45 and 70 years with a Ph.D. and a strong publication record in social sciences.

Can a candidate currently holding another fellowship apply?

No, concurrent fellowships or research projects from other institutions are not allowed.

What are the educational qualifications required?

- Ph.D. in any field of social sciences or allied disciplines is mandatory.

Is affiliation to an institution mandatory?

Yes, applicants must be affiliated with a UGC-recognized or ICSSR-recognized institution.

What are the educational qualifications required?

Ph.D. in any field of social sciences or allied disciplines is mandatory.

How can one apply for the Senior Fellowship?

Applications must be submitted online through the ICSSR website during the open call period.

Can I submit multiple applications under different ICSSR schemes?

Yes, but only one application under the Senior Fellowship scheme is allowed per call.

What documents are required at the time of application?

Ph.D. certificate, age proof, list of publications, formatted research proposal, plagiarism report, institutional affiliation letter and other essential documents mentioned in the call.

What language can the research proposal be submitted in?

Proposals can be submitted in either English or Hindi (using Unicode UTF-8 font).

Can I submit a hard copy of the application?

Only if explicitly required in the call; otherwise, submission is online only.