Details
Dr. D.S. Kothari Post Doctoral
Fellowships in Sciences was introduced by the University Grants Commission,
Dept. of Higher Education. In addition to the existing RA/PDF positions
provided by various funding agencies, a need was felt for a PDF scheme running
in a flexible mode, with fast track, online handling, and decision-making. The
initiative would offer ₹ 10,00,000 in financial assistance to 132 selected
candidates.
The tenure is 2 years. The scheme is
open for full-time research work, predominantly to young researchers preferably
below 35 years of age who have been awarded their Ph.D. Degree under science
faculty. The Reservation Policy of the Government of India with regard to
SC/ST/OBC/PH is followed. The upper age limit for applicants is 35 years, with
a relaxation in age for SC/ST/OBC/Women candidates applicable as per Government
of India Norms.
Benefits
Financial Assistance:
The tenure of the award is three
years with no provision for further extension. The financial assistance
available under the scheme is as follows:
Fellowship
@ Rs. 43,800/- pm for I year
@ Rs.45,000/- pm for II year
@ Rs. 46,500/- pm for III year
Contingency
@Rs.1,00,000/-p.a.
HRA:
i) Suitable hostel accommodation may
be provided to the candidates in the institutions. In such cases, the fellow is
eligible to draw only hostel fees excluding mess, electricity, water charges,
etc. A certificate to this effect is to be furnished through the
Registrar/Director/Principal. HRA is not permissible for those candidates who
are staying in Hostel accommodation.
ii) In case of non-availability of
hostel accommodation, the fellow may be provided with single accommodation by
the host institution. In such cases, the rent paid by the fellow on an actual
basis may be reimbursed subject to the ceiling of HRA as per Govt. of India
norms.
iii) If the fellow makes her own
arrangements of accommodation, he/she may be entitled to draw HRA as per the
categorization of cities by the Govt. of India.
Medical:
No separate/fixed medical assistance
is provided. However, the Post-Doctoral Fellow may avail of the medical
facilities available in the University/Institution/College.
Leave:
i) Leave for a maximum period of 30
days in a year in addition to public holidays may be taken by the Post-Doctoral
Fellow with the approval of the Head of the Department. However, they are not
entitled to any other vacations, such as summer, winter, and pooja vacations.
ii) Candidates are eligible for
maternity/ paternity to leave at full rates of the fellowship as per Government
of India rules once during the tenure of the award.
iii) The fellow, in special cases,
may be allowed by the Commission, academic leave without fellowship and
contingency for a period not exceeding one year during the tenure of the award
on the recommendation of the Head of the department of the institution
concerned to undertake academic/ teaching assignment or foreign travel in
connection with academic work. The expenditure on travel cannot be claimed from
UGC. The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure.
Eligibility
(i) The candidate must have a
doctorate degree in the relevant subject preferably with published research
work to their credit.
(ii) Only Ph.D. awarded unemployed
candidates will be eligible for the award of Post Doctoral Fellowship.
(iii)The upper age limit for
applicants is 35 years, with relaxation in age for SC/ST/OBC/Women candidates
applicable as per Government of India Norms.
Application Process
Online
Application
The selection process is open all
year round in `...as and when.... ' mode and not restricted by any specified
deadlines as thesis submission and award of Ph. D degree are open-ended
processes. There is a rolling advertisement on the UGC website; other
institutions and UGC affiliates should be encouraged to replicate it on theirs.
There is a designated website (http://ugcdskpdf.unipune.ac.in/) to apply for
the fellowships. The entire process is being carried out online.
Selection
There is a standing (core) peer group
that is able to access the applications on the web and grade them
electronically. On the basis of the grades received (electronically) from the
peer group, the Chair of this group takes the final decision. The selection
process has to be completed within 6 weeks of the receipt of the individual
application. There could be up to 500 such awards every year, making it to
about 1000 at its peak.
Disbursal
It may be noted that the fellowship
amount shall be disbursed through UGC designated Bank into the bank account of
the awardee directly. The list of designated branches of UGC identified bank is
available on the UGC portal i.e. https://dskpdf.ugc.ac.in/Downloads/UGC_BRANCH_LIST.pdf
Documents Required
[in progress]
All the selected candidates should
Submit the Joining Report in the prescribed format along with the Award letter
issued to the candidate by UGC to the designated Canara bank branch, duly
signed by the Head of the Department of the University and countersigned by the
Registrar. After verifying the Joining report of the fellow the Canara Bank
branch will release the fellowship for the next three months.
At the end of every three months, the
fellow has to submit Continuation Certificate to the designated Canara Bank
branch in order to become eligible to draw fellowship for the next three
months.
The Contingency grant is also
deposited in the fellow's account. After the end of one year, the concerned
fellows have to submit a contingency utilization certificate to the designated
Canara Bank branch. Thereafter the contingency amount for the next year will be
released.
The concerned fellow has to submit
the HRA certificate to the designated Canara Bank branch to avail of the House
Rent Allowance. The HRA certificate has to be submitted after every three
months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There A Deadline For The
Submission Of The Applications?
No, the selection process is open all
year round and not restricted by any specified deadlines as thesis submission
and award of Ph. D degree is open-ended processes. There is a rolling
advertisement on the UGC website; other institutions and UGC affiliates should
be encouraged to replicate it on theirs.
Why Was The "D. S. Kothari Post
Doctoral Fellowships In Sciences" Introduced?
D. S. Kothari Post Doctoral
Fellowships in Sciences" was introduced because, in addition to the
existing RA/PDF positions provided by various funding agencies, a need was felt
for a PDF scheme running in a flexible mode, with fast track, online handling,
and decision-making.
Can I Apply Offline For The
Fellowship?
No, There is a designated website
(http://ugcdskpdf.unipune.ac.in/) to apply for the fellowships. The entire
process is being carried out online.
How Long Does The Selection Process
Take To Complete?
The selection process has to be
completed within 6 weeks of the receipt of the individual application.
What Is The Tenure Of The Fellowship?
The tenure of the fellowship is 2
years.
Is There A Reservation For SC/ST
Candidates?
Yes, the Reservation Policy of the
Government of India with regard to SC/ST/OBC/PH is followed.
Is There An Age Criterion For This
Fellowship?
Yes, the upper age limit for
applicants is 35 years, with a relaxation in age for SC/ST/OBC/Women candidates
applicable as per Government of India Norms.
Is It Compulsory For The Applicant To
Have A Doctorate Degree?
Yes, the candidate must have a
doctorate degree in the relevant subject preferably with published research
work to their credit.
Can A Person Who Is Employed Also
Apply For The Fellowship?
No, only Ph.D. awarded unemployed
candidates will be eligible for the award of Post Doctoral Fellowship.
What Is The Amount Of The Fellowship?
The amount of the fellowship is - @
Rs. 43,800/- pm for I year @ Rs.45,000/- pm for II year @ Rs. 46,500/- pm for
III year
How Many Leaves Can A PDF Avail
During The Fellowship?
Leave for a maximum period of 30 days
in a year in addition to public holidays may be taken by the Post-Doctoral
Fellow with the approval of the Head of the Department. However, they are not
entitled to any other vacations, such as summer, winter, and pooja vacations.
What Is The Amount Of Contingency
Allowance?
The amount of Contingency Allowance
is Rs.1,00,000/-p.a.
Can The Candidate Take Paternity
Leave?
Candidates are eligible for
maternity/ paternity to leave at full rates of the fellowship as per Government
of India rules once during the tenure of the award.
Can The Candidate Claim The
Expenditure Incurred On Traveling?
No, the expenditure on travel cannot
be claimed by UGC.
Is The Candidate Eligible For Medical
Assistance?
No separate/fixed medical assistance
is provided. However, the Post-Doctoral Fellow may avail of the medical
facilities available in the University/Institution/College.
How Is The Amount Of The Fellowship
Disbursed?
It may be noted that the fellowship
amount shall be disbursed through UGC designated Bank into the bank account of
the awardee directly. The list of designated branches of UGC identified bank is
available on the UGC portal i.e. https://dskpdf.ugc.ac.in/Downloads/UGC_BRANCH_LIST.pdf
How Many Times In A Year Does The
Candidate Need To Submit The Continuation Certificate?
At the end of every three months, the
fellow has to submit Continuation Certificate to the designated Canara Bank
branch in order to become eligible to draw fellowship for the next three
months.
How Can The Candidate Avail Of HRA?
The concerned fellow has to submit
the HRA certificate to the designated Canara Bank branch to avail of the House
Rent Allowance. The HRA certificate has to be submitted after every three
months.
Sources And References
Guidelines CLICK HERE
