SJFS

Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme

6.3/10

The Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme supports young Indian scientists with a proven track record in their respective fields by providing a monthly fellowship of ₹25,000 for a duration of five years. This initiative, managed by the Department of Science & Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology, aims to facilitate basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. Eligible candidates must be Indian Nationals aged between 30 to 40 years, hold a Ph.D. in Science, Engineering, or Medicine, and be affiliated with a recognized academic or research organization. They should not be receiving any other government fellowship and must demonstrate significant contributions to their field through research publications or patents. The selected fellows will also have the opportunity to seek additional funding from the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) for their projects, allowing them to pursue innovative research with flexibility in expenditure as per their approved research plan.

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

Categories: Science, IT & Communications

Sub-categories: Research & Development

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Swarnajayanti, Fellowship, Young Scientist, Research, PhD

Details

The Government of India had instituted a scheme "Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme" to commemorate India's fiftieth year of Independence. Under this scheme, a selected number of young scientists, with a proven track record, are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. Scientists selected for the award will be allowed to pursue unfettered research with freedom and flexibility in terms of expenditure as approved in the research plan. The project should contain innovative research ideas and it should have the potential of making an impact on R&D in the discipline. The fellowships are scientist-specific and not institution-specific, very selective, and have close academic monitoring.

Duration of Fellowship:

The duration of the fellowship will be for a period not exceeding five years.

Benefits

  • 1. The award consists of a Fellowship of ₹25 000/- per month in addition to the salary drawn from the parent Institute for a period of 5 years. 1. The fellows selected along with their projects will be considered for funding by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) as per SERB norms for fellowship recurring and non-recurring heads
  1. The award consists of a Fellowship of ₹25,000/- per month in addition to the salary drawn from the parent Institute for a period of 5 years.
  2. The fellows selected along with their projects will be considered for funding by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) as per SERB norms, for fellowship, recurring and non-recurring heads.

Eligibility

  • The fellowship is open to Indian Nationals having a regular position in a recognized Indian academic/research organization.
  • The applicant should possess a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering/Medicine and should not be drawing Fellowship from any other Scheme of Government of India.
  • Scientists should be active in the frontier area of science and engineering with outstanding contributions in the form of research publications and/ or patents, peer recognition from the scientific community, awards, etc. in his/ her area of research.
  • The organization/institute should also undertake financial and other management responsibilities of the project throughout the five-year term in case a fellowship is awarded to the scientist.
  • The fellowship is open to scientists between 30 to 40 years of age.

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.

6.3
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 4.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 3.0/10 Good
Financial impact 8.0/10 Good
Literacy barrier 5.0/10 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 impact8.0
  • Rural utility4.0
  • Awareness7.5
  • Simplicity7.0
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme provides significant support for young scientists in India, promoting research in science and technology.

Key challenges addressed

  • Supports young scientists in pursuing innovative research
  • Encourages contributions to frontier areas of science and technology

Most beneficial for

  • Young scientists aged 30-40
  • Researchers in science, engineering, and medicine

Likely challenges

  • Strict eligibility criteria may exclude many potential applicants
  • High competition for limited fellowships

Practical insights for citizens

The scheme is practical for eligible urban scientists but may not reach rural applicants effectively.

Rural challenges

  • Limited access to online resources
  • Lack of awareness in rural areas

Digital challenges

  • Complete reliance on digital platforms for application

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Strict eligibility criteria may limit applicant pool

Awareness challenges

  • Low awareness among potential beneficiaries in rural areas

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Verification complexity
Moderate
Office dependency
None
DBT dependency
None
CSC support
None
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate effort required for application and presentation

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Urban-only
  • Gender reach Moderate
  • Occupation reach Academics and researchers

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Fellowship
Benefit frequency
Monthly
Benefit practicality
Practical for those who meet eligibility criteria
Financial meaningfulness
Significant financial support for research
Long-term impact
Potentially high impact on scientific research and innovation

Plain-language guidance

The Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme offers financial support to young scientists in India for research in science and technology. Eligible candidates can receive a monthly fellowship for up to five years.

Who should apply
Young scientists aged 30-40 with a Ph.D. in relevant fields.
Who may struggle
Semi-literate individuals and those without internet access.
Best application route
Apply directly through the online DST portal.

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

Step 01: Applications for the “SwarnaJayanti Fellowships Scheme” are invited from eligible candidates in the format as given on DST online portal.
Step 02: Candidates may log on to https://onlinedst.gov.in/ to access the home page of the “DST e-PMS Portal” for details and submit the application in online mode only.
Note 01: There is no need to send a hard copy.
Note 02: The candidates may be required to submit further additional information as required and present the project idea before final selection.
Note 03: The advertisement for the “Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme” for each year will appear on the DST Website with all details.

Clarifications

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

What is the “Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme”?

The Government of India had instituted a scheme "Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme" to commemorate India's fiftieth year of Independence. Under this scheme, a selected number of young scientists, with a proven track record, are provided special assistance and support to enable them to pursue basic research in frontier areas of science and technology. Scientists selected for the award will be allowed to pursue unfettered research with freedom and flexibility in terms of expenditure as approved in the research plan.

Which is the implementing department of this scheme?

Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India

What are the eligibility criteria to apply under the scheme?
  • The fellowship is open to Indian Nationals having a regular position in a recognized Indian academic/research organization. * The applicant should possess a Ph.D. in Science/Engineering/Medicine and should not be drawing Fellowship from any other Scheme of Government of India. * Scientists should be active in the frontier area of science and engineering with outstanding contributions in the form of research publications and/ or patents, peer recognition from the scientific community, awards, etc. in his/ her area of research.
What is the age criterion to apply under the scheme?

The fellowship is open to scientists between 30 to 40 years of age.

What is the nature of the assistance provided under this scheme?

The award consists of a Fellowship of ₹25,000/- per month in addition to the salary drawn from the parent Institute for a period of 5 years. The fellows selected along with their projects will be considered for funding by the Science & Engineering Research Board (SERB) as per SERB norms, for fellowship, recurring and non-recurring heads.

What is the duration of the fellowship?

The duration of the fellowship will be for a period not exceeding five years.

How can an applicant apply for the scheme?

Candidates may log on to https://onlinedst.gov.in/ to access the home page of the "DST e-PMS Portal" for details and submit the application in online mode only.

What is the selection procedure of the fellows?

The selection procedure will include consideration at various stages. The Department constitutes a Subject Committee which screens applications received and calls the screened in applicants for presentation. The candidates shortlisted after presentation by the Subject Committees will have to make presentation to the National Core Committee of Experts which gives its final recommendations. An Empowered Committee of Secretaries will make the final selection based on the recommendation of National Core Committee. Scientists selected for the award should have accomplished innovative original research in frontier areas of science and technology.

Can I apply through offline mode?

No, the eligible applicant may apply only through online mode and there is no need to send a hard copy.

References

Official Website
https://dst.gov.in/scientific-programmes/scientific-engineering-research/human-resource-development-and-nurturing-young-talent-swarnajayanti-fellowships-scheme
Website-Indian Science, Technology & Innovation
https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/programme-schemes/research-and-development/swarnajayanti-fellowships-scheme
Advertisement-2016-17
https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/ADVERTISEMENT-SWARNAJAYANTI-FELLOWSHIPS-2016-17.pdf
Advertisement- 2020-21
https://dst.gov.in/sites/default/files/Advertisement-SWARNAJAYANTI%20FELLOWSHIPS%20-%202020-21.pdf
E-PMS
https://onlinedst.gov.in/

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme?
Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme?
Eligibility for Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme?
Benefits under Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme?
Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme?
Applications for Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme a central government scheme?
Yes, Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships Scheme?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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 Swarnajayanti Fellowships 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.