ICSSR Doctoral Fellowships 2026 – Full-Term, Short-Term & Contingency Guide

If you are doing PhD in social sciences and looking for financial support, then you must have heard about ICSSR Doctoral Fellowships. Honestly, this scheme is one of the most helpful options for research scholars in India, but many students still get confused about types, eligibility, and how to apply online.

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So in this post, I’ll break everything in simple language – no heavy words, no boring explanations. Just what you actually need to know.

What is ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship?

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) offers doctoral fellowships to support PhD scholars in social science disciplines. The idea is simple – if you are doing quality research, ICSSR helps you financially so you can focus on your work instead of worrying about money all the time.

Under this, ICSSR provides:

Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship
Short-Term Doctoral Fellowship
Contingency Grant

Each has its own purpose, but all are meant to support serious researchers.

Types of ICSSR Doctoral Fellowships

1️⃣ ICSSR Full-Term Doctoral Fellowship

This is for scholars who need complete financial support during their PhD.

Key points:

Monthly fellowship amount
Contingency grant for research expenses
Given for a fixed duration as per ICSSR rules

Mostly suitable for full-time PhD scholars not receiving any other major fellowship.

2️⃣ ICSSR Short-Term Doctoral Fellowship

This one is for scholars who need short-duration support, usually to complete a specific phase of research like fieldwork, data collection, or writing.

Good option if:

Your PhD is at final stage
You already have partial support
You need help for limited months

3️⃣ ICSSR Contingency Grant

Not exactly a fellowship, but very useful.

It covers:

Fieldwork expenses
Travel for research
Books, data, survey costs

Many scholars ignore this part, but honestly, it saves a lot of money.

Eligibility Criteria (Simple Explanation)

Before you apply online, check this carefully:

Applicant must be Indian citizen
Must be registered for PhD in a recognized university/institution
Subject should fall under social science disciplines
Research proposal should be original and meaningful
Not receiving similar fellowship from another source (for full-term)

Eligibility may slightly differ based on fellowship type, so always read official notification once.

ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship Benefits

Here’s why students prefer this scheme:

Monthly financial support
Contingency amount for research expenses
Academic recognition by ICSSR
Improves CV and future research opportunities
Helps complete PhD smoothly

It’s not just money, it’s also about credibility.

Important Dates

As of late December 2025, the official schedule for the ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship 2026-27 cycle has not yet been released. However, based on the established 2025-26 cycle and historical trends, you can expect the following estimated timeline for the 2026 academic session:

Estimated Timeline for 2026-27

Release of Notification: August or September 2026.
Online Application Start: Late September 2026.
Application Deadline: Late October 2026 (typically extended to early November).
Result Declaration: Mid-to-late December 2026.
Joining Document Submission: Early January 2027.

Recent 2025-26 Reference Dates

For context, the most recent call for the 2025-26 financial year followed this schedule:

Notification/Start Date: September 22, 2025.
Original Last Date: October 21, 2025.
Extended Last Date: November 3, 2025.
Results Declared: December 20, 2025.
Deadline for Joining Documents: January 6, 2026.

How to Apply Online for ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship

The application process is completely online.

Step-by-Step Apply Process:

Once the portal opens, you must submit your application through the ICSSR Online Portal. Applicants are generally required to upload:

Post-graduation mark sheets and educational certificates.
UGC-NET certificate (if applicable).
Proof of Ph.D. registration and approved research topic.
A research proposal in the strictly prescribed ICSSR format.
For the most accurate updates, regularly monitor the ICSSR Official Announcements Page.

After submission, keep checking email for updates.

Documents Required

Keep these ready before starting application:

PhD registration certificate
Research proposal
Academic certificates
Aadhaar / ID proof
CV / Biodata
Guide’s recommendation (if asked)

Missing documents can delay or reject your application.

Selection Process

Selection is usually based on:

Quality of research proposal
Academic background
Relevance to social science research
Availability of funds

Shortlisted candidates are informed officially.

FAQs – ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship

Q1. Can I apply if I already get another fellowship?

Mostly no for full-term fellowship. For short-term or contingency, rules may vary.

Q2. Is ICSSR fellowship only for social science students?

Yes, it is strictly for social science disciplines.

Q3. Where to apply?

Only through the ICSSR portal link. No offline forms accepted.

Q4. Is last date really extended?

Yes. For Major & Minor Research Projects (2025-26), last date is December 31, 2025.

Final Thoughts

If you are serious about research and doing PhD in social sciences, the ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship is something you should not ignore. It gives financial relief, academic value, and peace of mind during research.

Just prepare your proposal well, apply on time, and don’t rush things at the last moment.