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Women Scientist Scheme-A

A Research Grant by MoST for female candidates to pursue research in frontier areas of science and engineering, preferably those having a break in career (minimum two years) and not having regular employment, to explore possibility of re-entry into the profession.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Who can apply

Minimum Post Graduate degree, equivalent to M.Sc. in Basic or Applied Sciences or B.Tech. or MBBS or other equivalent professional qualifications.; M.Phil/M.Tech/M.Pharm/M.VSc or equivalent qualifications.; Ph.D. in Basic or Applied Sciences.

Required Paperwork

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

Common Questions

Is there a validity to the scheme benefits?

The benefits are provided for a period of maximum three years.

Are contingencies covered under the research grant?

This grant will cover the fellowship of the applicant and cost of small equipments, contingencies, travel, consumables, etc.

What would be the mode of payment of the scholarship?

The payment of the scholarship will be through DBT.

Are temporary/contractual assignments considered as break?

Yes, all temporary/contractual assignments in academics and research are considered as break.

Will I be eligible for the scholarship if I fail to get promoted to the next semester?

No. The scholarship will be terminated in that case.

Can I apply offline for the scholarship?

No. You need to visit https://online-wosa.gov.in/wosa/ to apply.

Is there any application fee?

No. The entire application process is completely free of cost.

Which scientific disciplines are covered under this grant?

i) Physical & Mathematical Sciences (PMS), | ii) Chemical Sciences (CS), | iii) Life Sciences (LS), | iv) Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (EAS), and | v) Engineering Technology (ET)

Is it possible to pursue PhD along with a WOS-A project?

Yes, the beneficiary is allowed to do so.

I am 24 years in age. Can I apply for the scheme?

Women scientists, less than 27 years of age are not eligible.

Do I need to complete the application in one sitting?

No. You can save the application as draft and continue at a later time before the deadline.

What should be the type and size of the documents to be uploaded?

The format should be.pdf. The size of each document should not be greater than 2MB.

How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?

The mandatory fields have a red asterisk (*) mark at the end.

I have a query regarding the application process. Whom should I contact regarding the same?

Please contact Dr. Vandana Singh for any query about WOS-A at vandana.singh@nic.in You may also call at 011-26590675 or 011-26590273 during 11am - 1pm in weekdays.