Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) INSPIRE Fellowship

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:

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. 1

Rank Holders at the Graduate/Post-graduate Level Examination

in Medicine only conducted by a University/ Institution in India are eligible to apply. 1

Rank should be obtained in university in basic/applied science subject course/program

having batch size of minimum

students with minimum aggregate of 70% marks (or

CGPA equivalent) for the entire course/ program.

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 1

Rank Holder in College including Autonomous College Examination,

ii)

have obtained degree (s) through Distance Education Mode and iii) are 1

Rank Holder

in any specialization at M.Sc. 2

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 3

quarter of each

financial year. Applications are sought from the eligible students through 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 First Rank certificate in the INSPIRE

Fellowship format or we can submit what we have received from institution?

Yes.

It is mandatory to produce a First 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 the

INSPIRE Fellowship application.

Applicants are also advised to upload all

Semesters/Annual Mark sheet(s) combined in a single PDF and upload in the

Marksheet Tab.

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).

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.

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 a final offer 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 6

August 2007; 31

March 2010; 21

October 2014

[No. SR/S9/Z-09/2012] and SR/S9/Z-08/2018 dated 30

January 2019

and DST/PCPM/Z-

06/2022 dated 26

June 2023

. 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?

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 through PFMS to the student’s host-institute’s ZBSA Bank

Account in Bank of Maharashtra following CNA (Central Nodal Agency) Model. 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. To receive Fellowship grant, Host institute(s) need to have a Zero-

balance A/c [Preferable Name of A/c: Organization Name-STIHCB (1817) Scheme] to operate

as a Sub Agency A/c at an institutional level (i.e. respective institute/organization) in Bank of

Maharashtra and get mapped the ZBSA in PFMS (Public Finance Management System:

https://www.pfms.nic.in). Institute will operationalize the new process for flow of fund through

ZBSA at Bank of Maharashtra for utilization of the Fellowship grant (for further details please

visit “Notice Board Section” of INSPIRE web- portal (

https://www.online-inspire.gov.in

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 of 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 and subsequently will be 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, the Fellow must seek prior permission

from INSPIRE Program Division for transfer/ change of Host Institute by submitting

application with the following documents:

No Objection Certificates (NoCs) from both Host Institutes and Research

Supervisors.

Detailed Justifications for changing/shifting of Host Institute for continuation of

Fellowship.

An up to date Research Progress Report.

CV of the Research Supervisor at the new Host Institute.

Up to date Financial Statement from the initial Host Institute.

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, the 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 fellowships what should I do to switch

over to the 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 to do a short research internship program

that

is relevant to my Ph.D. degree, can I avail this short-term internship during

INSPIRE Fellowship tenure?

INSPIRE Fellow shall be allowed to avail 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 be arranged 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 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(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 the 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 1

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 for upgradation from JRF to SRF?

For the 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. The 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

Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS), Bengaluru

National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), Prayagraj, and

Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE),

Gurugram.

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:

Ph.D. Discontinuation Report (Status Report) along with resignation letter forwarded by the

Supervisor,

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

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.

Q.26.

I have completed my Ph.D. under INSPIRE Fellowship, what are the completion

formalities?

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), Utilization 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?

All communication related to the INSPIRE Fellowship should be through

INSPIRE web-portal, therefore, keep updating yourself by visiting your

INSPIRE web-portal account.

Keep checking the website and registered email for any updates.

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 stand withdrawn.

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. Re-evaluation is possible. Once INSPIRE Fellowship application is not recommended

for support at Level-2 Evaluation, applicant(s) can request for re-evaluation of their

application(s) within 45 days from the date of issue of the letter. The re-evaluation would be

done only on the existing application including Research Proposal available on his/her

INSPIRE web-portal. Revaluation requests shall be submitted through online INSPIRE web-

portal https://online-inspire.gov.in/Account/reevaluation . Applicants are advised to provide

their research work updates only in the Remarks column provided.

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