DST Inspire Fellowship For phd 2026

The INSPIRE Fellowship, part of DST’s Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research scheme, is a fully funded PhD opportunity for first-rankers and merit scholars in basic and applied sciences. It offers up to 5 years of funding, with a monthly stipend and research contingency support—no entrance exams required

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Fellowship Highlights

Who’s Eligible?

• First Rankers at MSc (or MBBS/Pharm/Agri) with ≥ 70% marks in regular university exams

• INSPIRE-SHE scholars scoring ≥70% in MSc/Integrated MSc

• No entrance exams needed—selection is merit- and proposal-based

Online Application Process

1. Register as a new user on the official INSPIRE web-portal, providing your email, name, and date of birth to receive activation details.
2. Activate your account using the provided link and log in to the portal.
3. Navigate to the ‘Fellowship’ section and click ‘Apply for Fellowship’.
4. Fill out all required sections of the application form, saving details as you go. Sections include personal, contact, educational, and employment details, as well as information on PhD enrollment if applicable.
5. Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified formats and sizes.
6. Review your complete application using the ‘PRINT PREVIEW’ button. Check the declaration box, enter location, date, and CAPTCHA, then click ‘SUBMIT’. Note that submission is final.
7. Keep the generated application reference number for future communication

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Selection Process

• Open calls in the 3rd–4th quarter of the financial year via INSPIRE portal

• Tier-1: Eligibility check for rank/marks and documents

• Tier-2: Expert committee evaluates academic background, research proposal, and host supervisor/institute

• Final offers issued as “Provisional” (awaiting PhD admission) or “Final” (if already admitted)

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Required Documents

• First-rank certificate in the official INSPIRE format.

• MSc (or equivalent) mark sheets, degree certificates

• PhD admission form or institute letter (if already enrolled)

• Research proposal + supervisor’s consent letter

• CV and identification proof

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How to Apply

1. Register/login on the INSPIRE portal: online-inspire.gov.in

2. Apply when calls are open (typically November–January)

3. Upload documents and research plan

4. Track status through portal

5. Upon selection, move from JRF to SRF after milestone achievements

Important Dates (Tentative for 2026)

The timeline generally follows an annual cycle. Based on previous years and current 2025-2026 schedules, candidates should watch for:

• Application Release: Likely between October and November 2026.
• Application Deadline: Typically December 2026 or early January 2027.
• Result/Shortlist Announcement: Generally released between May and June 2027 for the 2026 intake.

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FAQs at a Glance

• What’s the last date to apply?
Usually between November–January, under DST’s 3rd–4th quarter call.

• Who is eligible?
First rankers or INSPIRE-SHE scholars meeting academic benchmarks.

• How much stipend is offered?
Starts at ₹31,000/month as JRF and rises to ₹35,000/month as SRF after upgrade.

• What is the duration?
Up to 5 years (or until PhD completion), whichever is earlier

• Is an entrance exam required?
No. First-rank merit is enough—no GATE, NET, or other tests needed

The INSPIRE Fellowship from DST is an exceptional path for high-performing MSc or integrated MSc/MBBS/Agriculture scholars to pursue a fully funded PhD in science, without taking competitive exams. With ₹31–35K/month and ₹20K/year contingency, this opportunity supports dedicated research in India’s top academic and science institutions.