Centre to hike fellowships for research scholars

The government on Tuesday announced the highest-ever hike in fellowships for research scholars across the country. The hike will make fellowship amounts go up by at least 50%. More than 70,000 scholars will directly benefit from this hike.

The government on Tuesday announced the highest-ever hike in fellowships for research scholars across the country.

The hike, which will be effective by October 1, will make fellowship amounts go up by at least 50%. More than 70,000 scholars will directly benefit from this hike.

According to the new guidelines, the junior research fellowship has been increased from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 25,000. The senior research fellowship has increased from Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 28,000, research associate-1 from Rs. 22,000 to Rs. 36,000, research associate-2 from Rs. 23,000 to Rs. 38,000 and research associate-3 from Rs. 24,000 to Rs. 40,000.

Eminent scientist and Bharat Ratna Dr CNR Rao said, “I am delighted. I congratulate the minister for this.”

An open letter to authorities by the Research Scholars’ Forum of India had said that the stipend for research students in India was very low compared to other countries at the forefront in science and technology.

Over the past few months, nearly 20000 research scholars from across the country had staged silent demonstrations.