Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

INSPIRE Fellowship Component (IF)

Q.1. What is INSPIRE Fellowship?

INSPIRE Fellowship is one of the components of INSPIRE scheme implemented by the Department of Science
and Technology (DST), Government of India to strengthen the Science and Technology base of the country.
This Component focusses on attracting students to pursue doctoral degree in basic and applied sciences
including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary, pharmacy etc. after either master’s degree in
science/engineering or bachelor/ master’s degree in Medicine.

Q.2. Who are eligible to apply for INSPIRE Fellowship scheme?

INSPIRE Fellowship is offered to:

i) 1st Rank Holders in any recognized University and academic Institutions (Excluding Autonomous
Colleges) in India in Post-Graduate (PG) level examination in Basic/Applied Sciences including
Engineering, Pharmacy, Agricultural sciences and Veterinary Sciences. 1st Rank Holders at the
Graduate/Post-graduate Level Examination in Medicine only conducted by a University/ Institution in India
are eligible to apply. 1st Rank should be obtained in university in basic/applied science subject
course/program having batch size of minimum 07 students with minimum aggregate of 70% marks (or
CGPA equivalent) for the entire course/ program.

OR

ii) INSPIRE Scholars who have secured minimum 70% marks (or CGPA equivalent) in aggregate at M.Sc. or
Integrated M.S. / M.Sc.

Students who i) are 1st Rank Holder in College including Autonomous College Examination, ii) have obtained
degree (s) through Distance Education Mode and iii) are 1 st Rank Holder in any specialization at M.Sc. 2nd
year/last Year, are not eligible for the offer of INSPIRE Fellowship. The Fellowship will be offered based on
competitive basis to maximum number of 1000 fellowships annually.

Q.3.When can we apply for INSPIRE Fellowship?

Call for INSPIRE Fellowship applications is announced during 3rd/4th quarter of each financial year.
Applications are sought from the eligible students through the given below INSPIRE Web-portal:
https://www.online-inspire.gov.in

Q.4. How should I apply for INSPIRE Fellowship?

One can apply for the INSPIRE Fellowship, through online mode, only against the call. To apply online, please
visit the link https://www.online-inspire.gov.in and follow the guidelines as given therein.

Q.5. Is it mandatory to produce the Rank certificate in the INSPIRE Fellowship format or we can submit
what we have received from institution?

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Yes. It is mandatory to produce Rank certificate in the prescribed INSPIRE Fellowship Format only (Format
is available at https://www.online-inspire.gov.in Provisional Rank certificate or mark sheet will not be
acceptable for consideration of INSPIRE Fellowship application.

Q.6. What is the selection procedure?

Selection among the applicants is done in two stages i.e. Level-I Screening for eligibility criteria and Level-II
Evaluation by Subject Expert Committee (SEC).

1. Applicants who are already admitted into the Ph.D. Program in S&T subject areas prior to the submission
of application and upon recommendation at both the Levels (Level-I & Level-II) shall be awarded Final Offer
of INSPIRE Fellowship.

2. Applicants who have not admitted into Ph.D. Program in S&T subject areas prior to submission of
application and get recommendation at Level I, shall be awarded a Provisional Offer for INSPIRE Fellowship.

The Provisional Offer is made to the eligible applicant(s) on the basis of scrutiny of application with respect
to its completeness including the requisite documents (Level-I). However, issue of Provisional Offer does not
guarantee the award of INSPIRE Fellowship. Final Offer is made to the eligible applicants on the basis of
evaluation of the application at Level-II considering i) Academic merit ii) Host Institution including Research
Supervisor CV and iii) detailed Research Proposal by the Subject Expert Committee. In the Level-II Evaluation
process, applicants need to secure a minimum qualifying score/cut-off and the cut-off score may vary based
on the competitive framework of the selection process.

Q.7. What is the difference between Provisional Offer and Final Offer of INSPIRE Fellowship?

Provisional Offer: Students who are eligible for INSPIRE Fellowship but not admitted into Ph.D. program,
would get Provisional Offer and they will be given one-year validity to take admission into Ph.D. program.

Final Offer: Students who are eligible for INSPIRE Fellowship as well as got admitted into Ph.D. program
and their applications are recommended at both the levels (Level-I and Level-II) would be given final offer of
INSPIRE Fellowship.

Q.8.What is the tenure of this Fellowship?

Fellowship shall be tenable for a maximum period of five years from INSPIRE Fellowship “Effective Date”
or completion of the PhD program (i.e. up to the date of successful Ph.D. viva-voce), whichever is earlier. The
fellowship shall be governed by administrative norms and guidelines of Host University/Institute.

Q.9.What would be our designation after selection under INSPIRE Fellowship?

The entry in INSPIRE Fellowship would be only as Junior Research Fellow (JRF). There is no direct entry
into Senior Research Fellow (SRF). The JRF or SRF under this scheme shall be termed as 'INSPIRE Fellow'.

Q.10. What is the amount of Fellowship?

The Fellowship shall be governed through the Office Memorandum of this Ministry of Number
A.20020/11/97-IFD dated 6thAugust 2007; 31st March 2010; 21stOctober 2014 [No. SR/S9/Z-09/2012] and
SR/S9/Z-08/2018 dated 30thJanuary 2019. However, HRA to the Fellows shall also be applicable as per GoI
norms depending upon the location of the Host Institute.

Q.11. What are the norms for Contingency Expenditure?

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Expenditure of contingency grant would be governed as per host institution norms. The limit of contingency
grant is Rs. 20,000/annum. The unspent balance of contingency grant at the end of a year shall be adjusted to
the next year with a maximum ceiling of Rs.20,000.

Q.12. Where will be the amount of Fellowship transferred?

Fellowship grant shall be transferred by electronic mode through PFMS to the student’s host-institute Bank
Account. Host institute shall transfer monthly fellowship to students’ bank accounts following the host institute
norms. Sanction Order of the respective Fellow shall be available in their web-portal account. INSPIRE
Fellows will download a copy of the sanction order and submit the same to the Host institution for further
necessary action.

Q.13. What is PFMS?

Public Financial Management System (PFMS: https://pfms.nic.in) is being implemented by the Office of
Controller General of Accounts, Ministry of Finance in partnership with National Informatics Centre. PFMS
has established a common transaction-based on-line fund management and payment system for the Schemes
of Government of India.

Q.14. Is it mandatory that Host Institute should be registered under PFMS for receiving the Fellowship
grant?

Yes. It is mandatory. Else Fellowship fund transfer shall not be done.

Q.15. What will be the effective date of INSPIRE Fellowship?

The effective date for availing the INSPIRE Fellowship would be as under:

Fresh applicants who have already taken admission into Ph.D. course prior to submission of application,
the date of acceptance or joining or switching over from any other fellowship to INSPIRE Fellowship will
be the Effective Date. However, in any case the Effective Date would not be earlier than the date of
application received at the DST.

Applicant who will be placed during selection process under “Provisional Selection” category from 9th
advertisement onwards and subsequently issued “Final Offer” by gaining admission into Ph.D. Program,
“Effective Date” would be the date of uploading documents related to confirmed Ph.D. Admission or date
of Ph.D. admission, whichever is later.

Q.16. What is the procedure to transfer the Fellowship from one host institute to another host
institute?

INSPIRE Fellow once accepts the offer of Fellowship at a particular University/ Institute/ Laboratory shall
not be allowed to transfer-the Fellowship to another University/Institute/Laboratory across the country
during the 5 years of Fellowship tenure. However, in unavoidable circumstances, Fellow must seek prior
permission from INSPIRE Program Division for transfer/ change of Host Institute by submitting
application with following documents:

1. No Objection Certificates (NoCs) from both Host Institutes and Research Supervisors.
2. Detailed Justifications for changing / shifting of Host Institute for continuation of Fellowship.
3. An up to date Research Progress Report.
4. CV of the Research Supervisor at the new Host Institute.
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5. Up to date Financial Statement from the initial Host Institute.

6. An undertaking from the INSPIRE Fellow that he/she will be able to complete the Ph.D. program within
the initially approved fellowship duration. Undertaking shall be forwarded through the new supervisor.
However, shifting/ change of Host Institute without prior approval from DST-INSPIRE will lead to
withdrawal of the INSPIRE Fellowship. Moreover, such shifting/ change of Host Institute may be allowed
only once in 5 years tenure of Fellowship and within one year of effective date of Fellowship at the
respective Host Institute. If INSPIRE fellow leaves without permission, due stipend shall not be paid to
him/her by the Institution without the permission of DST. Unspent balance and other earnings against the
released grant (if any), shall be remitted to the consolidated Fund of India (through Non-Tax Receipt Portal
(NTRP) i.e. www.bharatkosh.gov.in immediately.

Q.17. I am already receiving other fellowship what should I do for switching over to INSPIRE
Fellowship?

When you receive the Final offer under INSPIRE Fellowship please resign from the previous fellowship
for switching over to INSPIRE Fellowship and put these details in Joining-cum-Acceptance letter (Format
provided at https://www.online-inspire.gov.in. Please do not resign unless you receive the Final offer of
INSPIRE Fellowship.

Q.18. I have received an invitation for doing a short research internship program which is relevant
to my Ph.D. degree, can I avail this short-term internship during my INSPIRE Fellowship tenure?

INSPIRE Fellow shall be allowed for availing short-term Research Internship at any national or
international Laboratory/ University/ Institute up to a maximum period of 18 months either in one or
multiple slots during 5 years tenure of Fellowship. This research internship would either be arranged
by DST or by the individual Fellow. The Fellow shall obtain prior permission from DST-INSPIRE on
the recommendation of Ph.D. Research Supervisor as well as confirmation from Research Internship
provider. In case the Fellow receives full financial support for the internship from the overseas
institution(s), the INSPIRE Fellowship for the period of Overseas stay shall not be remitted. After availing
the Research Internship, the Fellow must submit his/her Internship Report as well as Joining Report to
Host Institution, with intimation to DST.

Q.19. I have to attend an International Conference, would INSPIRE Fellowship pay to and fro
journey fare charges?

No.

Q.20.What should be done for getting next instalment of my Fellowship?

INSPIRE Fellow need to upload Utilization Certificate (UC), Statement of Expenditure (SE), Claim Bill (if
any) and Annual Progress Report in the prescribed format(s) (available at https://www.online-inspire.gov.in)
in the INSPIRE web-portal at the end of every year of completion for release of next instalment.

Q.21. What are things to be remembered while preparing the correct and acceptable SE, UC and
claim bill?

Second installment onward release to an ongoing Fellow will be considered if the unspent balance from
the previously released Fellowship grant including HRA shall be less than Rs.40,000/-. In case, multiple
SE and UC have to be uploaded, please make single file of multiple SE (s) and another file of multiple UC

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(s) and upload at appropriate place. SE and UC without the Seal of Competent Authority shall not be
accepted. Uploaded SE and UC should be clearly visible.

Q.22. How much time will be taken after uploading SE, UC and claim bill for processing?

From the date of upload of requisite documents, generally the fellowship grant will be released within 2
months.

Q.23. When will I be eligible for upgradation of my Fellowship from JRF to SRF?

The up-gradation of Fellowship from Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)
would normally be considered after completion of two (2) years of INSPIRE Fellowship. However, it can be
considered after completion of one year as JRF if INSPIRE Fellow has an acceptance of at least one research
paper (as a 1st Author) in any international peer-reviewed journal from the Ph.D. work carried out at the
respective Host Institute.

Q.24. What is the procedure of upgradation from JRF to SRF?

For up-gradation of Fellowship, a three (3)- member Assessment Committee shall be constituted by
the Vice-Chancellor/Director/Head of the Host Institute to assess the progress of the concerned
INSPIRE Fellow. Assessment Committee shall include the Research Supervisor of the concerned
INSPIRE Fellow and one Faculty from the Host Institution as a Members and a DST-nominated
expert who will act as the Chairperson. The host institute need not approach DST for the name of the
DST-nominated expert who will be the chairperson of the Assessment Committee.

The Host institute may choose one Fellow of any of the following four National Academies as the
DST-nominated Expert and the Chairperson of the Assessment Committee subject to i) his/her being
in the concerned area of research, ii) his/her being from an institution other than the Host Institution;
iii) his/her being not related to the INSPIRE Fellow and/or his/her Research Supervisor; and iv)
Research Supervisor of the INSPIRE Fellow not having been his/her research student:

Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi

INSPIRE Fellow has to upload Assessment Report on the INSPIRE Web-portal as detailed in the JRF to
SRF up-gradation guidelines.

Q.25. I got a Job please tell me what is the procedure to discontinue my INSPIRE Fellowship?

Upon getting a job, INSPIRE Fellow shall upload the following documents in his/her INSPIRE Web-
Portal account:
a. Ph.D. Discontinuation Report (Status Report) along with resignation letter forwarded by the Supervisor,
b. Statement of Expenditure (SE), Utilisation certificate (UC) and claim form (if any) of complete
fellowship duration,
c. Unspent balance receipt if any (unspent balance and other earnings against the released grant (if any),
shall be remitted to the consolidated Fund of India (through Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP) i.e.,
www.bharatkosh.gov.in
d. Soft copy of the status report, published research papers and patent details if any, shall be submitted in
USB storage device to the INSPIRE Programme Division of DST by speed post.

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Q.26. I have completed my Ph.D. under INSPIRE Fellowship, what are the completion formalities?

i) After completion of Ph.D./fellowship tenure to settle the fellowship grant, INSPIRE Fellow shall upload
the following documents in his/her INSPIRE Web-Portal account:

A copy of the Ph.D. degree certificate, Ph.D. completion report, Statement of Expenditure (SE),
Utilisation certificate (UC) and Claim form (if any) of complete fellowship duration, Unspent balance
receipt if any (unspent balance and other earnings against the released grant (if any), shall be remitted
to the consolidated Fund of India (through Non-Tax Receipt Portal (NTRP) i.e.
www.bharatkosh.gov.in)

ii) Soft copy of the Ph.D. thesis, published research papers and patent details if any, shall be submitted in
USB storage device to the INSPIRE Programme Division of DST by speed post.

INSPIRE Fellows must settle their claims within one year of leaving the Fellowship. No claim will be
admitted by DST after one year of leaving the Fellowship.

Q. 27. I am INSPIRE Fellow, I got a government job. Can I join my job and hold my INSPIRE
fellowship for some period? I want to join INSPIRE Fellowship again after completing my probation
period of job, with permission from Employer?

If you join any job (full time or part-time), there is no provision of holding INSPIRE Fellowship and
rejoining again after some time. Your Fellowship will be discontinued from the date of joining of job.

Q.28. What are the other things which I need to remember during my tenure under INSPIRE
Fellowship?

1. All communication related to the INSPIRE Fellowship should be through INSPIRE web-portal,
therefore, keep updating yourself by visiting your INSPIRE web-portal account.

2. Keep checking the website and registered email for any updates.

3. Acknowledge the financial support of DST -INSPIRE in your research credentials (Publications, patents
etc.) during the Fellowship tenure.

Q.29. I have to wait for my bank details to be approved before submitting my joining-Cum-
acceptance documents.

Already DST approved bank details of respective institutions are available on the INSPIRE Web-portal.
If you select the required bank details from the list, then need not to wait for its approval. You can directly
upload your joining- cum-acceptance report.

Q.30. I was awarded final offer of INSPIRE Fellowship. I had to upload bank details then Joining-
cum-acceptance (JCA) within one month of Fellowship Final offer. I could not do it within validity?

If selected INSPIRE Fellow fails to upload JCA within one month from the date of issue of final offer
letter, the offer shall automatically stands withdrawn.

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Q.31. My provisional offer validity is now over. I could not upload my Ph.D. admission documents
in online portal?

This is an automated process. If student fails to upload his/ her Ph.D. admission documents within the
validity duration, the portal will get automatically closed and then he/ she will not be able to upload Ph.D.
admission documents for its consideration for Final Offer. In that case his/ her provisional offer will
automatically stand withdrawn.

Q.32. I had filled my Bank details after receiving Final offer and waiting for its approval. How would
I know that my documents are approved?

Once you submit host institute Bank details, usually it takes one week for approval. You are requested to
regularly check your INSPIRE web-portal account for updates.

Q.33. Whether Re-evaluation of any rejected application is possible or not If so, details.

Yes. Evaluation is possible. Upon rejection at Level-II Evaluation, applicant(s) can request for re-
evaluation of their application(s) within 45 days of notifying the results., The re-evaluation would be done
only on the existing application including Research Proposal available on the Portal. Revaluation requests
shall be submitted through email at (email id: [email protected]).

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