The MeitY Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme 2025 is a transformative initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, aimed at boosting the number of PhD scholars in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/ITES sectors. Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in 2014, the scheme seeks to foster R&D, build innovation ecosystems, and develop India’s capacity in high-tech domains. The scheme supports 3,000 PhDs including full-time, part-time, and faculty fellowships.
Scheme Key Highlights (Short Summary)
• Ministry: MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology)
• Total PhD Support: 3,000 (Full-time & Part-time)
• Funding Duration: Up to 9 years (selection for 5 years)
• Fellowship: ₹38,750 to ₹43,750/month for Full-time scholars (revised)
• YFRF Support: ₹20,000/month + ₹5,00,000/year Research Grant
• Target Sectors: Electronics (ESDM) & IT/ITES
• Application Mode: Institute-specific (mostly online/email-based)
Objectives
• Increase number of PhDs in ESDM and IT/ITES sectors
• Strengthen R&D and intellectual property (IP) creation
• Support India’s National Policy on Electronics (NPE) and Information Technology (NPIT)
• Enhance India’s global competitiveness in knowledge-driven fields
• Encourage working professionals and faculty to pursue PhDs
• Support 200 Young Faculty Research Fellows (YFRFs) to retain talent in academia
Benefits
Full-Time PhD Scholars
• ₹38,750/month for Year 1 & 2
• ₹43,750/month for Year 3 to 5
• ₹30,000/year Contingency Grant for books, conferences, chemicals, etc.
• Rent Reimbursement: 30% / 20% / 10% of fellowship (based on city category)
• Conference Support: Up to ₹50,000 for 2 international conferences
Part-Time PhD Candidates
• One-time completion incentive of ₹2,50,000
Young Faculty Research Fellowship (YFRF)
• ₹20,000/month fellowship (in addition to salary)
• ₹5,00,000/year Research Grant for five years
• Grant can be used for manpower, travel, conferences, equipment, and student research support
• Unspent grant can be carried forward to next year
Eligibility Criteria
For Candidates
• Minimum 60% (55% for SC/ST) in M.E./M.Tech/M.S. or equivalent in ESDM/IT-relevant streams
OR
• Bachelor’s degree with valid GATE score and minimum 60%
OR
• IIT B.Tech with 8.0 CGPA or above
OR
• M.Sc. in Physics/Chemistry with 60% + GATE/NET score
For Institutes
Eligible institutions must comply with UGC PhD award norms (2009 regulation) and fall under:
Category A (Automatically Eligible)
• IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs
• Central Universities
• Deemed Universities under Central Govt.
• Colleges/Institutions of National Importance
Category B (Conditionally Eligible)
• State/Private Universities, State Acts, Deemed Universities
• Must have PG programs in ESDM/IT and have produced PhDs in the last 3 years
• Must be AICTE-approved, NBA/NAAC-accredited
Application Process (Online/Email)
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Download application form from the participating institute’s website
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Fill all mandatory fields and attach self-attested documents
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Email the completed form to the Nodal Officer of the institute with subject:
“Visvesvaraya Application – [Your Name]” -
If shortlisted, attend interview with original reference letters, transcripts, and identity proofs
Note: The process may vary slightly by institute. Always refer to specific institute instructions.
Documents Required
• Class 10 Certificate / DOB Proof
• Mark sheets of qualifying degrees (UG/PG)
• GATE/UGC-NET scorecard (if applicable)
• Caste/Disability Certificate (if applicable)
• No Objection Certificate (for part-time/external candidates)
• Two Letters of Reference (mandatory for full-time PhD applicants)
• Sponsorship Certificate (for industry-supported candidates)
• Passport-size photograph
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What are the seven categories of institutions who Are Eligible To Participate In The Scheme And Receive Grants?
All institutions falling in the following seven categories are eligible to participate in the scheme and receive grants:
Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs)
National Institutes of Technologies (NITs)
Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs)
Central Universities
Deemed Universities under Central Government
Colleges/Institutions of National Importance - What are the number of slots per institute for the Young Faculty Research Fellowship (YFRF)?
As per guidelines of the scheme for Young Faculty Research Fellowship (YFRF), each institute supported under the scheme is eligible for an award of 01 YFRF for each 05 Full-Time Ph.D. candidates, enrolled under the scheme. - What is the amount of the fellowship Provided To The YFRFs?
Fellowship @ ₹ 20,000/- per month in addition to the regular income - What is the Institutional Overhead for a Full-Time Ph.D. Candidate?
The scheme provides an Institutional Overhead of ₹ 25,000/- per year per Full-Time Ph.D. candidate for a maximum of five years to the academic institutions. - Is Direct Funding Support Provided To The Ph.D. Candidates under this scheme?
The support under the scheme will be provided to the institution granting the Ph.D. degree and no direct funding support will be provided by the Government of India to the Ph.D. candidates or faculty members or to the departments in the supported institution.