The deadline has moved to August 15
India’s Ministry of Education has extended the 2026 application deadline for the Prime Minister Research Chair scheme to August 15. The official announcement says applications opened on June 1 and are available to eligible fellows and institutions through the PMRC portal.
The updated call for applications describes PMRC as a Central Sector Scheme of the Department of Higher Education. It is designed to bring Indian-origin researchers, scientists and professionals into approved research projects at government higher education institutions and national laboratories in India.
Who the scheme is for
The call says fellows may be Indian nationals, Overseas Citizens of India or Persons of Indian Origin with relevant research or professional experience outside India. It also says candidates now based in India can apply if they meet the Indian-origin criterion and the other requirements set by the Empowered Committee.
Applicants fall into three experience bands. Young Research Fellows have up to five years of post-PhD experience outside India. Senior Fellows have five to less than 10 years. Research Chairs have 10 years or more, with the scheme aimed at eminent researchers or professionals at that level.
The call says the Empowered Committee will finalise the eligibility criteria for selecting fellows, projects and institutions.
Applicants must show a distinguished track record through evidence such as publications, patents, awards, citations or other internationally recognised indicators. The fellowship is in person, and the call says engagements can run for a predetermined period of up to five years, subject to performance.
Where fellows would work
Eligible hosts include government institutions ranked in the top 100 of the NIRF Overall or Engineering categories, or the top 50 of the Research category. Identified laboratories and research institutions under bodies such as DBT, DST, ICMR and CSIR may also participate.
The scheme says it expects to engage at least 120 researchers and professionals between 2026-27 and 2030-31. Its named themes range from advanced computing, semiconductors and cybersecurity to agriculture, healthcare, climate, biotechnology, communications, manufacturing, the blue economy, atomic energy, and space and defence. The call also allows other projects aligned with national missions.
What applicants need to prepare
Fellow applications must include a curriculum vitae with publications, patents, awards and international engagements; proof of past work and education; citizenship, visa or other residence-related documents; and research or professional achievements aligned with a theme. Applicants can also name a preferred host institution and explain the choice.
The role goes beyond a research grant. Fellows are expected to conduct original research with the host, teach or help design courses, mentor researchers and students, develop international and industry collaborations, support the translation of research into practical outcomes, and submit progress reports.
The official call sets category-dependent financial ranges, but an application is not a promise of selection or a guaranteed award. Applicants should use the updated call and PMRC portal for the current rules and submit by August 15, 2026.
