AKTINF

Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship

6.6/10

Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) will award "Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship" to outstanding engineers to recognize, encourage and support translational research by individuals to achieve excellence in engineering, innovation and technology development.

Central Composite

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Science And Technology

Nodal department: Department Of Science & Technology

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Scheme open date: 2017-01-01

Categories: Science, IT & Communications

Sub-categories: Research & Development

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Abdul Kalam, Innovation, Fellowship, Translational Research, SERB, Research

Details

Department of Science and Technology (DST) in association with the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) launched a Fellowship in the year 2017, named “Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship” to recognize, encourage, support, and promote translational research in engineering by Indian Nationals working in public funded institutions in the country, so as to transfer fundamental research output in viable technological products/devices/components/processes. In brief, the principal objective of the Fellowship is to achieve excellence in engineering, innovation, and technology development. This fellowship scheme has been named after the late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, who was a role model in Indian technology development and self-reliance. The scheme is being administered by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and implemented by the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE).

Scope:

All areas of engineering, innovation, and technology are covered by this fellowship.

Duration:

  • The duration of the fellowship will be initially three years, extendable by up to two more years depending on the performance.
  • The fellowship can be held for a maximum of 5 years.

Expected Outcome:

This Fellowship is applicable for Translational Research Only leading to possible commercialized or deployable technology; pilot scale or field trial worthy technology; patent (filed/sold/commercialized); working model or prototype for demonstration and trial (in addition but not limited only to scientific publication).

Fellowship:

A Maximum of 10 Fellowships will be awarded per year.

Benefits

  • 1. The fellowship amount is ₹25,000/- per month in addition to regular income. 1. A Research grant of ₹15.00 lakh per annum. 1. An Overhead of ₹1.00 lakh per annum to the host institute. Note: The fellowship is taxable as per the IT rule of the Government of India
  1. The fellowship amount is ₹25,000/- per month in addition to regular income.
  2. A Research grant of ₹15.00 lakh per annum.
  3. An Overhead of ₹1.00 lakh per annum to the host institute.

Note: The fellowship is taxable as per the IT rule of the Government of India.

Eligibility

  • The scheme is applicable to Indian nationals working in India in various capacities of engineering profession in publicly funded institutions.
  • The scheme is also applicable to Overseas Citizens of India working in permanent positions in publicly funded Institutions in India.
  • The applicant should possess adequate professional qualifications and hold at least a bachelor’s degree with a proven outstanding track record in innovation or technology development.
  • This applicant should have a minimum of five (5) years of service left in the parent organization as of the date of the award.
  • The applicant should not be holding any other fellowship and in the event of selection, he/she will have to opt for only one of the fellowships.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

6.6
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 5.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 5.0/10 Moderate
Financial impact 9.5/10 Good
Literacy barrier 7.0/10 Challenging
Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 7.5/10 Good
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility5.0
  • Financial impact9.5
  • Rural utility5.0
  • Awareness7.5
  • Simplicity5.0
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship supports individual engineers in translational research, promoting innovation and technology development.

Key challenges addressed

  • Encourages innovation in engineering
  • Supports research and development
  • Promotes technology transfer

Most beneficial for

  • Engineers in public funded institutions
  • Individuals with a strong track record in innovation

Likely challenges

  • Limited awareness among potential applicants
  • Complex nomination process

Practical insights for citizens

Practical for eligible engineers but may exclude many due to nomination requirements

Rural challenges

  • Limited access to information
  • Fewer public funded institutions in rural areas

Digital challenges

  • High digital dependency for application process

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Need for institutional nomination limits accessibility

Awareness challenges

  • Low awareness among potential beneficiaries

Application analysis

Application mode
Online Nomination
Documents burden
Minimal, mainly nomination form
Verification complexity
Moderate, requires institutional endorsement
Office dependency
Low, primarily online process
DBT dependency
None
CSC support
Limited
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate, requires coordination with institutional heads

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Moderate
  • Occupation reach Engineers, Researchers

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Composite
Benefit frequency
Monthly and Annual
Benefit practicality
Financially meaningful for researchers
Financial meaningfulness
Moderate, supports research but may not be sufficient for all needs
Long-term impact
Potentially significant if innovations lead to commercial products

Plain-language guidance

This fellowship supports engineers in India to conduct innovative research. Eligible candidates can receive a monthly stipend and research grants.

Who should apply
Engineers working in public funded institutions with a strong background in innovation.
Who may struggle
Individuals without institutional support or those unfamiliar with online applications.
Best application route
Nominations must be submitted by institutional heads via email.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online

Nomination:

  • The nominations will be accepted throughout the year.
  • The nominations can be sent by the Heads of the Institutions/organizations, Presidents/fellows of National Science/Engineering Academies, SS Bhatnagar Awardees, and JC Bose awardees.
  • Self-nominations shall not be accepted.

Forwarding of Nominations:

Selection:

  • Selection of Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellows will be made by a Search -Cum-Selection Expert Committee specially constituted for the purpose, as per the broad guidelines of the fellowship

Contact for more information on “Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship” at INAE:-

Lt Col Shobhit Rai (Retd), Convener cum Member Secretary
(Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship)
Deputy Executive Director, Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE)
Ground Floor, Block-II, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016
Phone: 011-26582475, Email: inaehq@inae.in
Website: www.inae.in

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the objective of the Scheme?

The principal objective of the Fellowship is to achieve excellence in engineering, innovation and technology development.

Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?

Indian National Academy of Engineering

When was this scheme launched?

The scheme was launched in the year 2017.

What are the eligibility criteria for applying/availing the Fellowship?

The scheme is applicable to Indian nationals as well as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) working in permanent positions in engineering profession in public funded institutions in India. The applicant should possess adequate professional qualification and hold at least a bachelor's degree This applicant should have a minimum of five (5) years of service left in the parent organization as on the date of the award. The applicant should not be holding any other fellowship and in the event of selection, he/she will have to opt for only one of the fellowships.

What are the areas covered under this Fellowship?

All areas of engineering, innovation and technology will be covered by this fellowship.

What is the nature of support for the Fellow?

The Fellow will receive a personnel Fellowship of ₹25,000/- per month in addition to regular income. A Research grant of ₹15.00 lakh per annum. An Overhead of ₹1.00 lakh per annum to the host institute.

Can the fellow continue the fellowship after superannuation?

No, the applicant fellow should have a minimum of five (5) years of service left in the parent organization as of the date of the award.

When can a person apply for the Fellowship?

The nominations will be accepted throughout the year.

Shall the Self-nominations be accepted?

No, the Self-nominations shall not be accepted.

Who can nominate for the Fellows?

The nominations can be sent by the Heads of the Institutions/organizations, Presidents/fellows of National Science/Engineering Academies, SS Bhatnagar Awardees, and JC Bose awardees.

What is the duration of the Fellowship?

The duration of the fellowship will be initially three years, extendable by up to two more years depending on the performance. The fellowship can be held for a maximum of 5 years.

Is the personal fellowship received under this Fellowship scheme taxable?

Yes, it is taxable.

References

Guidelines
https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20for%20Abdul%20KalamTechnology%20Innovation%20National%20Fellowship.pdf
Official Website
https://serb.gov.in/page/awards_fellowship#Abdul%20Kalam%20TIN%20Fellowship
INAE Website
https://www.inae.in/research-innovation/abdul-kalam-technology-innovation-national-fellowship/

Apply

Apply now

Opens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Science, IT & Communications, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Eligibility for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Benefits under Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship is managed by Department Of Science & Technology and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Applications for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship a central government scheme?
Yes, Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Are there deadlines for applying to Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship in All India?
Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.