The scheme – KSCSTE Research Fellowship – is for encouraging enthusiastic and passionate post-graduate science/ engineering students by supporting them financially in their Ph.D. studies.
KSCSTE Research Fellowship - Introduction
The "KSCSTE Research Fellowship" scheme is designed to financially support enthusiastic and passionate postgraduate science/engineering students in their Ph.D. studies. Fellowships are available in seven science streams: Mathematical Sciences, Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Earth-Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences.
Selected fellows are chosen through a rigorous online examination for bright postgraduate students. The examination pattern includes:
- Paper A: This general paper assesses the candidate's general knowledge and research aptitude.
- Paper B: This subject-specific paper's syllabus is similar to the CSIR examination and can be found on the KSCSTE website.
Examination Pattern:
Part A (General Aptitude)
Part B (Subject)
| Total Questions | 20 | 100 |
| Max no. of questions to attempt | 20 | 50 |
There is no negative marking.
The total marks are calculated as follows: Out of 90 marks, 70 marks are from the online examination and 20 marks are from the postgraduate degree. The cut-off marks for fellowship selection depend on the number of fellowships available for each stream. A 5% reduction in cut-off marks is provided for reservation candidates (SC/ST, persons with disabilities) compared to general (UR) / General-EWS and OBC candidates.
The maximum number of fellowships per subject is as follows:
| Subject | No. of Fellowships |
| Life Sciences | 28 |
| Chemical Sciences | 16 |
| Mathematical Sciences | 10 |
| Physical Sciences | 16 |
| Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences | 10 |
| Environmental Sciences | 10 |
| Engineering Sciences | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
The number of fellowships may vary depending on fund availability.
Selected candidates will be notified via email and post, and a fellowship offer letter will be issued.
Candidates are admitted to the online examination provisionally. Any discrepancies found in submitted documents or violation of KSCSTE Research Fellowship guidelines will result in fellowship cancellation and debarment from future examinations.
Necessary conditions as per Scheme:
- The fellowship is for pursuing Ph.D. Registration with any university in Kerala is mandatory to avail the fellowship.
- Fellowship awardees must join and pursue their Ph.D. studies in a university or research center in Kerala promptly after receiving the fellowship offer letter.
- Upon receiving the offer letter from the Council, the fellow must submit an acceptance letter within the stipulated time; otherwise, the fellowship will be cancelled.
- The fellowship offer is valid for one year from the date of issue.
- Fellows must begin the university registration process in Kerala immediately after receiving the offer letter.
- Once the university registration order is received, a copy, along with the Terms and Conditions, a letter from the supervising teacher confirming no other fellowship is being availed, and a joining report (specifying the effective joining date at the Research Centre), must be sent to the Council to initiate fellowship release.
- If a fellow wishes to terminate the KSCSCSTE fellowship, they must inform the Council through the Head of the Institution and supervising teacher immediately. The fellow must ensure the submission of SE and UC and the refund of unspent amounts etc., by the Institute for NOC issuance.
Benefits
- The Fellowship carries a monthly stipend of ₹31,000 for the first two years (JRF) and ₹35,000 per month in the third year (SRF).
- There is an annual contingency grant of ₹20,000.
- All Research Fellows shall be allowed hostel accommodation wherever available and those residing in a hostel provided by the University/Institute shall not be eligible for HRA. Reimbursement of hostel fee shall not be permissible, where the hostel facility is not possible. House Rent Allowance shall be allowed a maximum of 10% of their fellowship.
- The fellowship is for a period not exceeding three years.
Eligibility
- Candidates, who have qualified for the post-graduate degree, shall have three consecutive chances to apply for the Fellowship programme. Thus, a candidate who has passed the examination in the current year can apply in this year, the next year, and the year after next.
- The candidates (General and OBC candidates) should have a minimum of 70% marks or equivalent CGPA in their PG examination and 65% for SC/ST and differently-abled candidates.
- Only candidates who have their qualifying degree (PG) from any of the Universities in Kerala are eligible to apply.
- Upper age limit: Maximum 35 years (Should not exceed 35 years as of the 1st of the month of the advertisement published on the website) for all applicants.
Application Process
- Step 01: Generally, applications are invited during September - October every year.
- Step 02: Applications are invited through online mode and applicants need to visit the kscste.kerala.gov.in of KSCSTE.
- Note 01: There is a non-refundable registration fee of ₹750/- for general candidates and SC/ST/Persons with disability candidates are exempted.
- Note 02: No hard copies of the application form will be accepted.
- Note 03: Candidates who have registered for the fellowship have to appear for an examination which is conducted online at three centers across Kerala.
Contact Details:
The Head, Basic Science Division, Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), Sasthra Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram - 695 004,
Tel: +91 471 2548360/314
E-mail: [email protected]