If you are a researcher in India, then honestly 2026 is a turning point year. With SERB now fully transitioned into the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), almost all major fellowships have gone through changes — stipend hike, new portal, revised rules, everything.
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So whether you are aiming for National Post Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) 2026, SERB POWER Fellowship, or the Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation Fellowship, this guide will help you understand what’s new, what dates matter, and where to apply — without confusion.
1. National Post Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) 2026
The N-PDF 2026 continues to be the most popular and competitive fellowship for young PhDs in India. And yes, the biggest update this year is the massive stipend increase, which was long overdue.
Key Details – NPDF Fellowship 2026
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Application Window:
15 January 2026 to 17 February 2026 (till 5:00 PM IST) -
Monthly Stipend:
₹80,000 per month (PhD awarded)
₹50,000 per month (thesis submitted, till degree award) -
Research Grant: ₹2,00,000 per year
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Duration: 2 Years (strictly no extension allowed)
Who Can Apply?
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Indian citizens with PhD / MD / MS degree
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Thesis submitted candidates are also eligible
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Upper age limit: 35 years
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Relaxation: 5 years for SC / ST / OBC / Women / PwD
⚠️ Golden Rule (Most people miss this):
You cannot apply:
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With your PhD guide or co-guide
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In the same institute or department where you completed PhD
All applications are now submitted through the ANRF Online Portal:
👉 https://anrfonline.in
2. SERB POWER Fellowship 2026 (For Women Scientists)
The SERB POWER Fellowship, officially called Promoting Opportunities for Women in Exploratory Research, is specially designed to support women researchers who are already in regular service.
POWER Fellowship Key Points
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Application Mode: Nominations only
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Deadline: Open throughout the year
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Selection Cycles: Usually twice a year (March & September)
Eligibility & Benefits
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Eligible Age: 35 to 55 years
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Who can apply: Women scientists in regular employment
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Support:
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₹15,000 per month (Fellowship)
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₹10 lakh per annum (Research Grant)
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Tenure: 3 years (one-time opportunity)
📌 Pro-Tip:
Your nomination must be submitted by:
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Head of your Institution or
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Fellow of a National Academy
through the ANRF portal only.
3. Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship 2026
This fellowship is mainly for engineers and technologists working in public-funded institutions, and focuses more on translational research — meaning research that can become real products or technologies.
Kalam Fellowship 2026 Highlights
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Application Mode: Nomination based
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Deadline: Open throughout the year
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Annual Cut-off: 30 June 2026 (for FY 2026–27)
Fellowship Benefits
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₹25,000 per month (Fellowship)
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₹15 lakh per year (Research Grant)
Eligibility
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Indian National or OCI
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Working in public-funded R&D / academic institution
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At least 5 years of service remaining
Official information is available on the INAE website:
👉 https://www.inae.in
4. Major Changes After SERB → ANRF Transition (2026)
With ANRF now fully operational, there are some important changes every applicant should note:
🔹 Single Application Portal
Almost all SERB-legacy schemes like:
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N-PDF
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POWER Fellowship
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Ramanujan Fellowship
are now managed through one portal only:
👉 https://anrfonline.in
🔹 Mentor Quota Rule (Very Important)
For N-PDF 2026, one mentor can supervise maximum two fellows at a time.
Always check your mentor’s availability before submitting application.
🔹 Revised Stipends
Most fellowships have received 20–30% hike in monthly emoluments starting from FY 2025–26.
How to Prepare a Strong Proposal for 2026?
Based on recent trends, here are few things that actually matter:
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Align with “Viksit Bharat 2047”
Topics like AI, semiconductors, sustainable energy, healthcare, med-tech are getting priority. -
Follow Templates Strictly
Endorsement Certificate format from ANRF website must be used. Even small formatting errors can reject your proposal. -
Publications Do Matter
For N-PDF, having at least 2 good quality publications is kind of a silent requirement, even if not clearly mentioned.
Quick Links for Researchers
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Official ANRF Portal: https://anrfonline.in
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INAE (Kalam Fellowship): https://www.inae.in
Final Note
If you are planning to apply for research funding in 2026, start early. Most rejections happen not because of bad research ideas, but due to mentor issues, formatting errors, or missing small rules.