Scholarship Region 

Maharashtra

Scholarship For 

Higher studies

Last Date 

31/12/2024

Scholarship Amount 

46,500

Scholarship Type 

Private

Scholarship Fields 

Other

Scholarship General Information 

Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship (DSKPDF) Scheme was introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on the recommendation of the Empowered Committee (EC) chaired by Professor M. M. Sharma. In addition to the existing RA/PDF positions provided by various funding agencies, a need was felt for PDF scheme running in a flexible mode, with fast track, on-line handling and decision making. 

DSKPDF Scheme is open for full time research work, predominantly to young researchers preferably below 35 years of age who have awarded their Ph. D. Degree under science faculty. The Reservation Policy of Government of India with regard to SC/ST/OBC/PH is followed. Appropriate age relaxations for reserved category/women candidates are given as per UGC guidelines.

Eligibility Criteria 

1. Aspirant below 35 years of age (Up to 3, 5 and 10 years of age relaxation for OBC, SC/ST/Women and physically handicapped respectively is admissible), who are awarded a Ph. D. degree under science faculty are eligible to apply. It is necessary that candidate identifies a Mentor (affiliated to University/Institute wherein DSK Fellowship is tenable) for his/her postdoctoral Research work and obtain his/her consent for the mentorship. Higher PDF (with marginally elevated stipend) is admissible for those applicants, identified as outstanding by standing (core) peer committee of reviewers.

2. Teachers below age of 35, working on confirmed posts in Academic Institutes may also apply. However, along with the hard copy, they will be required to submit a certificate from their Head of the Institution (Registrar of University / Principal of a college) that the teacher will be given attest three years of sabbatical / special leave without financial support for carrying out their postdoctoral work.

3. The fellowship will be awarded on a yearly basis with renewal/termination clause on the basis of PDF mentor/peer group appraisal. However, the maximum duration of the PDF award would be 3 years. No extension is possible under any circumstances. Candidates should give an undertaking while availing the award, along with the endorsement of the research mentor that they would stay in place for a minimum of six months. Once the candidate is awarded the DSKPDF, and he/she joins the fellowship, he/she will not eligible to apply ever again for DSKPDF in the same or other workplace.

4. If applicant has already applied for Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship and has been declared as unsuccessful, he/she is permitted to apply freshly with new research proposal only after one year from date of declaration of the earlier result.

Award Amount  

The monthly stipend for these awards would be as follows:

1. Normal fellowship for First, Second and third year is Rs. 43,400/-, Rs. 45,000/- and Rs. 46,500/- respectively.

2. Higher fellowship for First, Second and third year : Rs. 46,500/-.

3. The Fellow is provided with a contingency grant of Rs. 1,00,000 p.a.

No. of Scholarships Available 

Number of Scholarship is the subject to availability, for more please visit official website.

Important Dates 

Application Fee 

Application fee information is not available, please visit the official website.

Application Procedure 

There are no deadlines. The application will be received throughout the year.

Easy Steps for Applying DSKPDF

1. Fill basic information and request for login ID and password.

2. Email verification.

3. Get login ID and password provided by DSKPDF cell after scrutiny of your basic information (typically within 7 working days).

4. Proceed with filling online application by provided login ID and password.

5. Take printout of your application.

Selection Process 

The application will be processed further on satisfying preliminary requirements. After scrutinizing the documents sent by the applicant, the National Coordinator of the scheme will constitute a standing (core) peer committee of reviewers as per the area of research mentioned by applicant. The committee will access the applications on the web and grade them electronically. On the basis of the grades received (electronically) from the peer committee, the National Coordinator of the scheme will make the final recommendation to UGC.

Other Info 

Post-doctoral research is an important enabling step in grooming young researchers for launching an academic/research career. This is a transition phase from a largely supervisor directed student at doctoral level to an independent researcher for leadership position, particularly in academia. A post-doctoral stint also provides an opportunity to acquire new skills, broaden one's horizon and offers a platform for transiting into cross-disciplinary areas. Experience in other parts of the world has shown that university faculty is best inducted from among candidates who had a year or two of post-doctoral training and is generally considered an essential requirement. Mentoring for independent research is an indispensable element of post-doctoral training. Top rated institutions in our country which value research also follow this practice but it has not permeated widely. Leading research groups around the world usually have a good mix of post-doctoral fellows and doctoral students with the former bringing in a level of experience and maturity. However, in our country post-doctoral research culture has not caught on and is practiced only sporadically in a few selected places. Ironically, Ph. D's from leading institutions in India, particularly in basic sciences prefer seeking post-doctoral positions overseas. Within the country, a pdf position is mistakenly viewed as a mere parking opportunity while scouting for a regular appointment.

Contact Details 

The National Coordinator,

Dr. D.S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Cell

C/o Interdisciplinary School of Scientific Computing

Savitribai Phule Pune University

Ganeshkhind Post Office

Pune 411 007.

India

Phone No: (020) 25601406, +91 9422044046

Working Hours: 10:30 to 17:30 Monday to friday (except on public holidays)

Email ID: http://dskpdf@unipune.ac.in

For more information: Click here

Apply Now 

https://dskpdf.ugc.ac.in/