Applications are currently being accepted for the CSIR Bhatnagar Fellowship, offering a monthly stipend of ₹50,000 and beyond.
About
The objective of the Bhatnagar Fellowship is to recognize and enable outstanding scientists to pursue excellence in scientific research and innovative technology development; thereby enhancing the scientific footprints and technological competitiveness of the nation. The Bhatnagar Fellowship recipients should serve as role models and mentor young scientists.
Eligibility
The fellowship will be awarded to leading Indian Scientists/Technologists in recognition of their ongoing impactful scientific and/or technological contributions, particularly during the last 10 years, as evidenced through publications, patents, transfer of technology, honours, awards etc. Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) working in India are also eligible. The awardee is expected to associate with a mission or thrust area program of CSIR or an area of interest to CSIR.
Nomination and Selection Procedure
Names of the outstanding scientists/technologists may be proposed by:
- Current and former Presidents of any of the National Science Academies (including Engineering, Agricultural, Medicine etc.
- The Vice Chancellors of Indian Universities,
- Directors of CSIR Laboratories and R&D Institutions like IISc, IISERs, IITs, AIIMS, NITs etc. iv) Secretaries of Science Departments of GOI,
- Director Generals of major R&D Organizations such as DRDO, ISRO, ICAR, ICMR, IMD etc.,
- Chairmen of the Atomic Energy Commission, UGC, etc.,
- Chairmen/Presidents of Industrial Associations such as the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) etc. and
- Former Bhatnagar Fellowship Recipients. Self-nominations/applications are not acceptable.
Nominations in the prescribed proforma should be accompanied by the nominee’s a) past research contributions and b) future plan of work (scientific and/or technological) in a mission or thrust area program of CSIR or in an area of interest to CSIR. Nominations would be received throughout the year.

A two-tier process will be followed for the selection of Bhatnagar Fellows.
- At the first level, a Screening Committee constituted by DG, CSIR shall scrutinize and shortlist the relevant nominations. At the second level, shortlisted nominations shall be placed before a Search-cum-Selection Committee for its consideration and recommendations.
- The Search-cum-Selection Committee reserves the right to consider persons of eminence outside the list of nominations.
- The Search-cum-Selection Committee, comprising eminent scientists, technologists and industrialists in the country or abroad, shall be constituted by the Vice President, CSIR. The DG, CSIR as Member-Secretary of the Search-cum-Selection Committee shall convene the meeting at least once a year.
- The Recommendations of Search-cum-Selection Committee shall be placed for approval of the Vice-President, CSIR for the award of the Bhatnagar Fellowship.
- The award offer will be valid for six months from the date of issue. Names of the candidates conferred with the Bhatnagar Fellowship shall be placed in the Governing Body, CSIR for information.
Duration
The duration of the Bhatnagar Fellowship shall be initially for a period of three years, extendable for two additional years after due appraisal. The Bhatnagar Fellowship will be a full-time R&D engagement. It shall not be considered as re-employment.
Number of Fellowships
Upto 6 per year. The maximum number of fellowships shall be limited to thirty at a given time.
Place of Work
The fellowship is tenable in India and can be implemented in any recognized academic institution, registered society, or industry having DSIR-recognized R&D laboratories and other R&D institutions/laboratories. The host institution should provide necessary administrative and infrastructural support. The fellow may continue at his / her present place of work or at any CSIR Institute/ laboratory as approved by DG, CSIR.
Nature of Support
- For retired awardees drawing a pension, the amount of fellowship shall be equivalent to the Apex Scale at the level of Secretary to the Government of India (Level 17), after adjusting the basic pension. For awardees who retired without receiving a pension, the amount of fellowship shall be equivalent to the Apex Scale at the level of Secretary to the Government of India (Level 17).
- A fellowship of Rs 50,000 per month over and above the existing salary will be provided for awardees in service. The awardees can avail of only one fellowship/monthly honorarium, etc. from any source during the fellowship tenure. Each awardee will also receive a CSIR Research Project Grant up to Rs 25 (twenty-five) lakh per annum.
Grants
All the grants pertaining to the Bhatnagar Fellowship shall be released through the host institute. No overhead expenses will be given to the host institution.
- Annual Grant: The Annual Grant shall be up to Rs 40 lakh. The host institution shall provide facilities like office space; secretarial support; residential accommodation (on the campus or outside on a leased basis, if requested); telephone facility (office/residence); staff car or appropriate hired conveyance etc. The expenditure incurred in providing fellowship and facilities to the fellows shall be deducted from his/her Annual Grant.
- Research Project Grant: The fellow shall work on a mission or thrust area program of CSIR or in an area of interest to CSIR. The fellow shall submit a research project (up to the ceiling of Rs 25 lakh per annum), which shall be appraised by the Search-cum-Selection Committee for the budget and other resource requirements. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, the research grant for the project (in addition to the Annual Grant up to Rs 40 lakh) shall be sanctioned. Funds under the “CSIR Research Project Grant” head can be utilized for hiring of manpower, consumables, purchase of chemicals, equipment items, books and journals, other unforeseen contingencies, repair of types of equipment etc., travel (International/Domestic) for self, research fellows/associates, visiting scientists, and any other research/academic activity.
Travel
Domestic and International travel shall be regulated in accordance with the guidelines of the host institute. The amount under Travel (International/Domestic) is limited up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. Instructions issued by the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of External Affairs regarding the class of travel etc. should be followed.
Assignments
The awardee may interact with CSIR Scientists/staff by collaborating on research and development projects, besides providing mentorship to the young researchers. Any assignment connected to the project, whether within the country or abroad for a period exceeding 45 days shall be referred to DG, CSIR for approval. The Bhatnagar Fellows are not permitted to take up any full-time assignment from any other organization. Any exception to this shall be referred to DG, and CSIR for approval. However, Bhatnagar Fellows in service may be allowed to discharge duties and functions of his/her substantive post. The Bhatnagar Fellows are expected to deliver popular science lectures in schools and colleges to create scientific temper among the students as well as to motivate the students to take science as a career.
Maintenance of Accounts
The host institution shall maintain accounts of the Bhatnagar Fellowship grant and submit these within three months of the expiry of the financial year. The host institute shall submit an audited statement of accounts and utilization certificate to CSIR HRDG, New Delhi. Release of subsequent grants will be subject to receipt of necessary financial statements.
Progress Report / Monitoring of Research Project
The Fellow shall submit an Annual Progress Report to CSIR HRDG, New Delhi through the host institution. The Bhatnagar Fellow shall submit a consolidated work report after three years along with a plan of work for the next two years, which shall be appraised by the Search-cum-Selection Committee for a further period of extension.
After completion of the project, the fellow shall submit a Final Technical Report along with brief summary of the significant achievements made, a list of publications, patents filed/granted, manpower mentored/trained, lectures delivered etc.
- The CSIR guidelines for ethics in Research and Governance shall be applicable to Bhatnagar Fellows.
- The Intellectual Property rights arising out of the research work of Bhatnagar Fellows shall be governed by the norms of CSIR.
- The rules and regulations of the Bhatnagar Fellowship Scheme may be reviewed or amended as and when found necessary with the approval of DG, CSIR in the capacity of Chairman, Governing Body, CSIR.
Guidelines and Formats
How to Apply?
- One hard copy and a softcopy (in PDF) of the complete nomination may be submitted to:
- Scientist In Charge – SSB YSA Unit
Human Resource Development Group
CSIR Complex, Library Avenue, Pusa
New Delhi 110 012
- Scientist In Charge – SSB YSA Unit
Contact
ssb[at]csirhrdg[dot]res[dot]in
FAQs
Can awardees take on assignments connected to the project within or outside the country?
Yes, awardees may take on assignments connected to the project, whether within the country or abroad, for a specified period.
Is there support for domestic and international travel?
Yes, the fellowship includes support for domestic and international travel, limited up to Rs 5 lakh per annum. Guidelines for travel are in accordance with the host institute and government regulations.
Where is the fellowship tenable?
The fellowship is tenable in India and can be implemented in recognized academic institutions, registered societies, industries with DSIR-recognized R&D laboratories, and other R&D institutions/laboratories. The host institution should provide necessary administrative and infrastructural support.