What is the purpose of SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

Eligibility for SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

Benefits under SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for SERB Research Scientist Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

Applications for SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme a central government scheme?

Yes, SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.

Can beneficiaries track application status for SERB Research Scientist Scheme?

Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.

Where can users get help for SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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.

SERB Research Scientist Scheme – eligibility, benefits & apply

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Science, IT & Communications

Sub-categories: Research & Development

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: SERB, Research Scientist, INSPIRE, Faculty, Ramanujan, Fellowship

Details

The INSPIRE Faculty Scheme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Ramanujan Fellowship Scheme of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) offer opportunities for young scientists to initiate and sustain research careers in various fields of science and engineering. These schemes do not offer an extension of the fellowship after the completion of five years. The support link is broken after the end of the tenure of the respective fellowships.
In order to provide a platform for the sustainment of their research for some more time, the SERB Board has recently approved a new ‘SERB Research Scientist (SRS) Scheme’ for the awardees of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellowships, who fail to secure regular positions after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes. The fellows will be called ‘SERB Research Scientists’. The scheme provides an opportunity for them to continue their research activities and also to explore regular positions during the intervening period.

Objective:

Identify and provide a platform for sustainment of the research career of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows for an additional period of two years after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes.

Benefits

The “SERB Research Scientists” will be entitled to receive the grants as given below: Sl. No. Budget Head Amount 1Emolument Consolidated amount of ₹1,20,000/- per month2Research Grant₹7,00,000/- per annum3Overheads₹1,00,000/- per annum All Inclusive Note 01: Research grants can be used for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, and travel. There is no provision for providing manpower support under this scheme. The Research Scientist is expected to undertake the research objectives by himself/herself during the entire duration of the SRS Scheme. Note 02: The SERB Research Scientists are not eligible to receive any other research project/fellowship from any Government or Non-Governmental source during the tenure of the Scheme. Note 03: The SERB Research Scientists must seek the consent of SERB if he/she intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period of more than eight weeks. Leave:
SERB Research Scientists are entitled to leave as per the rules of the host institution
Participation in scientific workshops held in India or abroad will be treated as on duty
Maternity leave as per the Govt. of India instructions issued from time to time would be available to female candidates in all categories

The “SERB Research Scientists” will be entitled to receive the grants as given below:
Sl. No.Budget HeadAmount1Emolument**** Consolidated amount of ₹1,20,000/- per month2Research Grant₹7,00,000/- per annum3Overheads₹1,00,000/- per annum** All Inclusive**
Note 01: Research grants can be used for minor equipment, consumables, contingencies, and travel. There is no provision for providing manpower support under this scheme. The Research Scientist is expected to undertake the research objectives by himself/herself during the entire duration of the SRS Scheme.
Note 02: The SERB Research Scientists are not eligible to receive any other research project/fellowship from any Government or Non-Governmental source during the tenure of the Scheme.
Note 03: The SERB Research Scientists must seek the consent of SERB if he/she intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period of more than eight weeks.

Leave:

SERB Research Scientists are entitled to leave as per the rules of the host institution.
Participation in scientific workshops held in India or abroad will be treated as on duty.
Maternity leave as per the Govt. of India instructions issued from time to time would be available to female candidates in all categories.

Eligibility

The scheme is open only to INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows.
The applicant should have completed or nearing completion of the tenure of INSPIRE Faculty of DST or Ramanujan Fellowship of SERB.
The upper age limit for INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellows is 40 years at the time of submission of application.
SRS can be availed only once by a candidate in his/her career.

Note 01: The SRS Scheme will be made effective only after the completion of the tenure of the respective INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellowship.
Note 02: The SRS scheme can be availed only once by a candidate in his/her career.
Note 03: The SRS is tenable only in India and can be implemented in any of the recognized academic institutions, national laboratories and other recognized R & D institutions. The host institution should provide necessary administrative and infrastructural support.
Note 04: The Faculty/Fellow can either implement the SRS Scheme from the present host institution or opt to choose a different host institution that is suitable to the objectives of the proposed research work.
Note 05: The SRSs will not be allowed to work at the same Department/institution where the candidates have earned their PhD/M.S./M.D degree.
Note 06: The SRS is purely a temporary and contractual assignment, and is tenable for a period of 2 years, extendable to one more year, subject to performance evaluation. Under any circumstances, the support is not extendable beyond three years.

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 7.0/10 Good

Application complexity 7.0/10 Challenging

Financial impact 9.0/10 Good

Literacy barrier 6.0/10 Moderate

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 impact9.0
Rural utility7.0
Awareness7.5
Simplicity3.0
Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The SERB Research Scientist Scheme provides essential support for researchers transitioning from fellowships to regular positions, addressing a critical gap in career sustainability.

Key challenges addressed

Sustaining research careers for INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows after fellowship completion.

Most beneficial for

Young scientists seeking to continue their research.

Likely challenges

Limited awareness among potential beneficiaries.
Strict eligibility criteria may exclude some candidates.

Practical insights for citizens

The scheme is practical for eligible individuals but may not reach those in rural areas effectively.

Rural challenges

Limited access to information and application resources.

Digital challenges

Low digital literacy and access to online resources.

Implementation bottlenecks

Strict eligibility criteria may limit access.

Awareness challenges

Low awareness among potential beneficiaries in rural areas.

Application analysis

Application mode: Offline office
Documents burden: Moderate, requires specific formats and multiple copies.
Verification complexity: Moderate, involves evaluation by a selection committee.
Office dependency: High, requires submission to a specific office.
CSC support: Low, primarily offline application.
Estimated citizen effort: High, requires careful preparation and submission.

Estimated beneficiary reach

Rural / urban reach Low
Gender reach Moderate
Occupation reach Research professionals

Benefit analysis

Benefit type: Composite
Benefit frequency: Monthly and annually as per scheme guidelines.
Benefit practicality: High, as it provides substantial financial support for research.
Financial meaningfulness: Moderate, as the benefits are significant for researchers but may not be life-changing.
Long-term impact: Positive, as it helps sustain research careers and contributes to scientific advancement.

Plain-language guidance

The SERB Research Scientist Scheme helps researchers continue their work after their fellowships end. It is aimed at those who have completed their INSPIRE Faculty or Ramanujan Fellowships.

Who should apply: INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows nearing the end of their tenure.
Who may struggle: Individuals unfamiliar with the application process or those lacking access to necessary resources.
Best application route: Apply via the designated office with the required documents.

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

Offline

Application Procedure:
Step 01: The application for SRS will be opened throughout the year. The details of SRS will be notified through the websites www.serb.gov.in, www.serbonline.in and www.dst.gov.in.
Step 02: Application shall be submitted within six months before or after completion of regular tenure of the schemes. However, previous batches may be allowed to apply now at the opening of this new scheme.
Note 03: The application should be prepared and submitted strictly according to the formats prescribed in this document (Annexure I), the said Annexure can be downloaded from the official website.
Note 04: The candidates should submit 3 copies of the application printed on both sides of A4 size paper and send to:
Dr. Harish Kumar, Scientist F
Science and Engineering Research Board
3rd & 4th floor, Block –II, Technology Bhawan,
New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi- 110016, INDIA
Step 05: A softcopy of the proposal complete in all respects should also be mailed to harishkumar@nic.in
Note: The envelope/mail containing the application should be superscribed with “SERB Research Scientist (Specify the area*)”
[* Chemical Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences]

Selection Procedure:

The application will be evaluated by a Selection Committee constituted for the purpose. The Committee may consider the performance evaluation by the relevant subject expert committee during the tenure of the INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellowship Scheme. If required, the applicants may be called for personal interviews.

Clarifications

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

What is the “SERB Research Scientist Scheme”?: SERB Board has launched a new 'SERB Research Scientist (SRS) Scheme' for the awardees of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellowships, who fail to secure regular positions after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes. The scheme provides an opportunity for them to continue their research activities and also to explore regular positions during the intervening period.
What is the objective of the Scheme?: The objective of the scheme is to identify and provide a platform for sustainment of the research career of INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows for an additional period of two years after completion of the regular tenure of five years in the respective schemes.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?: Science and Engineering Research Board, Government of India
What are the eligibility criteria for applying/availing the Fellowship?: The scheme is open only to INSPIRE Faculty and Ramanujan Fellows. The applicant should have completed or nearing completion of the tenure of INSPIRE Faculty of DST or Ramanujan Fellowship of SERB. The upper age limit for INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellows is 40 years at the time of submission of application.
What are the areas covered under this Fellowship?: Chemical Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences
What is the nature of support for the Fellow?: Under this scheme, Emolument: Consolidated amount of ₹1,20,000/- per month Research Grant ₹7,00,000/- per annum Overheads ₹1,00,000/- per annum.
Can a fellow (SERB Research Scientist) be eligible to receive any other research project/fellowship?: No, the SERB Research Scientists are not eligible to receive any other research project/fellowship from any Government or Non-Governmental source during the tenure of the Scheme.
How many times can a fellow avail this fellowship?: Only once, the eligible fellow can avail this fellowship in his/her career.
What is the duration of this fellowship?: The scheme is tenable for a period of 2 years, extendable to one more year, subject to performance evaluation. Under any circumstances, the support is not extendable beyond three years.
When can an applicant apply for the Fellowship? What is the last date of acceptance of the application?: The application for SRS will be opened throughout the year. Application shall be submitted within six months before or after completion of regular tenure of the schemes. However, previous batches may be allowed to apply now at the opening of this new scheme.
How can an application submit under the scheme?: The candidates should submit 3 copies of the application printed on both sides of A4 size paper and send to: Dr. Harish Kumar, Scientist F Science and Engineering Research Board 3rd & 4th floor, Block -II, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi- 110016, INDIA
How will the applications be evaluated?: The application will be evaluated by a Selection Committee constituted for the purpose. The Committee may consider the performance evaluation by the relevant subject expert committee during the tenure of the INSPIRE Faculty/Ramanujan Fellowship Scheme. If required, the applicants may be called for personal interviews.

Official links

References

Guidelines: https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/SRS-Scheme_0.pdf
Official Website: https://serb.gov.in/page/english/awards_fellowship#SERB%20Research%20Scientists%20Scheme
DST Website: https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/programme-schemes/research-and-development/serb-research-scientists-scheme

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: Eligibility for SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: Benefits under SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for SERB Research Scientist Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: Applications for SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme a central government scheme?: Yes, SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for SERB Research Scientist Scheme?: Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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 SERB Research Scientist Scheme 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.