What is the purpose of WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Women and Child, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.

Who can apply for WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

Eligibility for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

Benefits under WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

Applications for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship a central government scheme?

Yes, WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.

Is WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship only for women beneficiaries?

WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship is primarily intended to support eligible women beneficiaries through welfare assistance, financial support, skill development, healthcare, or social security initiatives.

Does WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship support self-employment or financial assistance for women?

Depending on scheme guidelines, WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship may provide loans, subsidies, training support, self-employment assistance, or financial welfare benefits for women.

Can CSC centres help users apply for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

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

Where can users get help for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral 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.

WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship – eligibility, benefits & apply

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Women and Child, Science, IT & Communications

Sub-categories: Research & Development

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: WISE, Post-Doctoral, Fellowship, KIRAN, Woman, Research

Details

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing a dedicated umbrella scheme "Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN)" with the aim to support women from all walks of life in the domain of Science & Technology. The Department has re-structured one of the flagship programme "Women Scientists Scheme" and come up with a new programme "WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF)" that aims to provide opportunities to women scientists and technologists between the age group of 27-60 years who want to continue the research as bench-level scientists in basic and applied sciences.

Scientific Disciplines:

(1) Physical & Mathematical Sciences [PM]
(2) Chemical Sciences [CS]
(3) Life Sciences [LS]
(4) Earth & Atmospheric Sciences [EA]
(5) Engineering & Technology [ET]

Benefits

- Fellowship Amount: ₹55,000/- per month is provided as fellowship along with House Rent Allowance as per Department of Science and Technology (DST) norms. - Research Grant: ₹2,00,000/- per year is provided to support research activities under the programme. - Equipment Support: Financial assistance up to ₹3,00,000/- is provided for the purchase of small equipment. - Institutional Overhead Charges: Additional institutional overhead charges are covered as per applicable norms. - Project Duration: The maximum duration of the project is 3 years

Fellowship Amount: ₹55,000/- per month is provided as fellowship along with House Rent Allowance as per Department of Science and Technology (DST) norms. - Research Grant: ₹2,00,000/- per year is provided to support research activities under the programme. - Equipment Support: Financial assistance up to ₹3,00,000/- is provided for the purchase of small equipment. - Institutional Overhead Charges: Additional institutional overhead charges are covered as per applicable norms. - Project Duration: The maximum duration of the project is 3 years.

Eligibility

Employment:

Candidates in regular employment are not eligible for WISE-PDF. However, women scientists who are temporarily employed in research or academics may apply for the scheme but they have to leave their earlier assignment if the WISE-PDF project is approved. The position of research staff in any project, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Research Associate, etc. will be considered a temporary assignment.

Age:

The minimum age to apply is 27 years and the maximum is 60 years. Women scientists, less than 27 years of age are NOT eligible.

Educational Qualification:

Women Scientists having a Ph.D. in Basic/ Applied Science or an equivalent degree like MD, MS, MDS, etc. are eligible for WISE-PDF.

Break in Career:

Break in career is not mandatory to apply for WISE-PDF, however, women who have a break are also encouraged to apply for this programme.

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.

6.9

/ 10

Public Benefit Score

Accessibility 6.0/10 Moderate

Rural usefulness 4.0/10 Moderate

Application complexity 4.0/10 Moderate

Financial impact 8.0/10 Good

Literacy barrier 6.0/10 Moderate

Women inclusivity 10.0/10 Good

Awareness 7.5/10 Good

Implementation reliability 8.0/10 Good

Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens

Accessibility6.0
Financial impact8.0
Rural utility4.0
Awareness7.5
Simplicity6.0
Inclusivity10.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a beneficial scheme aimed at supporting women scientists in their research careers, particularly in basic and applied sciences.

Key challenges addressed

Provides funding for women scientists to continue their research.
Encourages women to pursue careers in science and technology.

Most beneficial for

Women scientists aged 27-60 years
Women with temporary research positions

Likely challenges

Digital literacy required for online application
Limited awareness among potential beneficiaries

Practical insights for citizens

While the scheme is beneficial, practical challenges in application and awareness may hinder participation.

Rural challenges

Limited internet access in rural areas
Potential lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

High digital dependency for application process
Need for a stable internet connection

Implementation bottlenecks

Awareness and outreach to potential beneficiaries

Awareness challenges

Low visibility of the scheme among rural women scientists

Application analysis

Application mode: Online portal
Documents burden: Minimal, primarily online submissions
Verification complexity: Moderate, requires proposal evaluation
Office dependency: None, fully online
DBT dependency: No direct benefit transfer involved
CSC support: Limited, primarily online
Estimated citizen effort: Moderate, requires proposal preparation

Estimated beneficiary reach

Rural / urban reach Moderate
Gender reach Female-only
Occupation reach Research and academia

Benefit analysis

Benefit type: Composite
Benefit frequency: Monthly and annually
Benefit practicality: High, as it provides substantial financial support for research
Financial meaningfulness: Very meaningful due to the significant amount of fellowship and research grants
Long-term impact: Encourages sustained participation of women in scientific research

Plain-language guidance

The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship supports women scientists aged 27-60 to continue their research. It provides monthly financial support and grants for research activities.

Who should apply: Women scientists with a Ph.D. or equivalent degree looking to pursue research.
Who may struggle: Women with limited digital skills or those unaware of the scheme.
Best application route: Apply directly through the DST-WISE online 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: The proposals should be submitted at the DST-WISE portal “https://onlinedst.gov.in/”. The portal is open throughout the year.
Step 02: First of all, aspirants need to register themselves at the online portal with their active e-mail ID to apply to WISE-PDF.
Step 03: An auto-generated email will be sent to the applicant with an ID and link to create a password.
Step 04: After successfully registration, the applicant may login at the 'portal’ and fill in the application form of the Project Proposal under WISE-PDF.
Step 05: Before submission, the applicant may preview her full proposal to make sure that everything is correct and in order. The proposal can be edited at this stage but after submission, any editing will not be possible.
Step 06: Once the applicant finds the proposal is in order, click the "Final Submit" button for the final submission of the proposal.
Step 07: The proposal can be seen after login. It can also be printed and saved in the system for your ready reference.
Note 01: There are different Project Proposal Documents (PPDs) that include files to be submitted online as well as to be uploaded.
Note 02: The file size should not exceed 2MB in any case.
Note 03: It would be useful to first prepare uploading files which enable the applicant to submit a proposal in a smooth and time-bound manner.
Note 04: The formats of all the PPDs are available on the home page of the portal under ’Formats’ for ready reference of the applicants.
Note 05: Hard copy of the proposal: There is no need to submit a hard copy of the proposal to DST.

Clarifications

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

Is WOS-A programme is still open for proposal submission?: No. WOS-A programme is now re-structured and re-designed in to 2 separate programmes for Ph.D. and non-Ph.D. women candidates viz. WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF) and WISE Fellowship for Ph.D. (WISE-PhD).
How WISE-PDF programme is different from WOS-A programme?: The WISE-PDF programme is exclusively cater women scientists who want to pursue Post-Doctoral research in the area of basic and applied sciences, however, WOS-A programme was catering both Ph.D and non-Ph.D category of women scientists. Further, break in career was mandatory in WOS-A programme which is not a mandatory condition for WISE-PDF.
What is the minimum qualification for applying under WISE-PDF?: Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
What is the age limit for WISE-PDF?: 27 to 60 years.
Is employed Women Scientists are eligible to apply in WISE-PDF programme?: Women Scientists other than permanent/regular positions are eligible for WOS-A including unemployed.
Is break in career mandatory to apply in WISE-PDF?: Now break in career is not mandatory to apply in WISE-PDF. However, women scientists who had break in their scientific career are still encouraged to apply in WISE-PDF.
What are the subject areas where support is available under WISE-PDF programme?: WISE-PDF programme supports projects in 5 subject areas of basic and applied sciences namely; Physical and Mathematical Sciences (PM), Chemical Sciences (CS), Life Sciences (LS), Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (EA) and Engineering & Technology (ET).
What is the tenure of project under WISE-PDF?: Three (3) years maximum.
What are the official formalities during the time of submission of proposal under WOS-A scheme?: There are no as such official formalities at the time of proposal submission. However, duly signed bio-data of mentor with latest publications is to be uploaded.
Can host institution be the same from where Ph.D. degree has been obtained?: Yes.
Is Ph.D guide can be mentor of WISE-PDF project?: Yes
Is it possible to have more than one mentor for WISE-PDF project?: No.
Can a close relative act as mentor?: No.
When the call is open in WISE-PDF?: The programme is open throughout the year.
Can I change the proposal after final submission?: No.
Can I change my email ID after registration?: No.
Which are the special characters to be avoided while filling the application?: Please avoid using special characters like bullets, tabs, single quotes, double quotes, angular brackets, ampersands etc. while entering the data.
How to start online submission of proposal?: Please go through the website online-wosa.gov.in and click on WISE-PDF button then it will be redirect to the WISE-PDF portal, read instructions carefully and proceed further accordingly.
Which internet browser supports WISE-PDF web portal?: You may use all latest browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer 9 etc.
I forget my User Id or Password or Password is locked?: Click on "Forgot Password" button. You will receive an email that will contain a link to recreate the Password.
Can I change my e-mail in between the processing?: No. Your registered email ID is the login ID and only way of communication via portal, therefore, no change is allowed.
Any special instructions while filling proposal?: Please try to fill all columns that are displayed, even if they seem to be non-mandatory. Please avoid using special characters like bullets, tabs, single quotes, double quotes, angular brackets, ampersand etc. while entering the data.
How much time the link receives the mail for the creation of Password is valid?: The link is valid for 24 hours only. If this link does not work, you can click on Forgot Password Link available at the Home page of online-wosa.gov.in to get the email again.
If I have problem in submitting the application whom should I contact?: Email the specific problem at support-wosa@nic.in.
If I have any queries related to WOS-A Scheme whom should I contact?: Email your queries at vandana.singh@nic.in

Official links

References

Guidelines: https://dst.gov.in/wise-post-doctoral-fellowship-wise-pdf
Official Website: https://dst.gov.in/scientific-programmes/wise-kiran

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Women and Child, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: Eligibility for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: Benefits under WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: Applications for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship a central government scheme?: Yes, WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Is WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship only for women beneficiaries?: WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship is primarily intended to support eligible women beneficiaries through welfare assistance, financial support, skill development, healthcare, or social security initiatives.
Does WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship support self-employment or financial assistance for women?: Depending on scheme guidelines, WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship may provide loans, subsidies, training support, self-employment assistance, or financial welfare benefits for women.
Can CSC centres help users apply for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: 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 WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship?: Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for WISE Post-Doctoral 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 WISE Post-Doctoral 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.