The Human Resource Development Group (HRDG) of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has been inviting applications for the Emeritus Scientist (ES) Scheme. This scheme aims to provide financial assistance to outstanding superannuated scientists, enabling them to continue research in their fields of specialization, particularly in areas of relevance to CSIR’s programmes and activities.
The educational qualifications prescribed for the award of research fellowship/associateship are as under
JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (JRF-ship)
The minimum qualifications are BS 4 years programme/BPharm/MBBS/Integrated BS-MS/MSc/BE/BTech or equivalent degree, with 55% marks and passing of NET/GATE test. The selection for award of JRF is made on the basis of a competitive written test organised jointly by CSIR and UGC at National Level. Twice a year in the following areas 1) Chemical Sciences, 2) Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, 3) Life Sciences, 4) Mathematical Sciences 5) Physical Sciences. There is a single MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions) paper based on test comprising of three parts A) is common to all subjects comprising questions of general science and research aptitude. Part B) contains subject related conventional MCQ and Part C) contains higher value questions that may test the candidates knowledge of the scientific concepts and/or application of the scientific concepts.
Online applications for JRF-NET are invited twice a year on all India basis through press advertisement. The information with respect to the inviting applications is also available on HRDG website (www.csirhrdg.res.in).
The result of candidates who qualify in the test is put on the website of HRD Group and they are also informed individually after the result is finalized.
SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SRF-ship)
The minimum qualifications are :
(i) MSc,BE, BTech,BVSc, BPharm, or equivalent degree, and at least two years of post-MSc, BE, BTech, BVSc, BPharm, research experience, as evidenced from published papers in standard refereed journals; (ii) ME, MTech or equivalent degree in Engineering/Technology; (iii) MBBS or BDS, with 1 year internship/MVSc/MPharm or equivalent.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATESHIP (RA-ship)
The minimum qualifications are : Doctorate (PhD/MD/MS/MDS) or equivalent degree OR having 3 years of research, teaching and design and development experience after MVSc/MPharm/ME/MTech.
The upper age limit for JRF, SRF and RA shall be 28, 32 and 35 years respectively as on the day on which the application is made. A small relaxation in age limit may be considered, in the case of applicants who are suitably qualified and experienced, on the recommendations of the selection committee. The upper age limit is relaxable upto 5 years in the case of candidates belonging to scheduled castes/tribes/OBC, and women, and physically handicapped candidates.
Stipend : The stipend payable to JRF, SRF & RA working in the research schemes is as follows
1st & 2nd Year
JRF - Rs. 37,000/-
SRF - Rs. 42,000/-
3rd & Subsequent Year
JRF - Rs. 42,000/-
SRF - Rs. 42,000/-
RA - The consolidated emoluments will be under the following 3 slabs depending on qualification and experience :
a) Rs.58,000/-
b) Rs.61,000/-
c) Rs.67,000/-
• Assessment for continuance: Progress of JRF and SRF working in a research scheme will be assessed at the end of two years by a Committee consisting of the PI, the Head of the Department and an external member from outside the university/institution who is an expert in the relevant field and is not below the rank of Professor/Associate Professor. The stipend of JRF will be increased from Rs 37,000/- pm to Rs 42,000/- pm and of SRF for the remaining tenure of the scheme, provided the research progress has been found satisfactory by the Committee. On upgradation, the designation of JRF will be changed to SRF.
• House rent allowance (HRA) and Medical allowance (MA): In addition to stipend, the fellow/associate will be entitled to: (i) HRA, as per rules of the Host Institution, provided he/she has not been given hostel accommodation (stipend paid/payable will be treated as pay for the purpose of HRA), (ii) MA, as admissible as per the rules of the Host Institution to its employees (this will be limited to the fellow only and not for family members/dependents).
GENERAL
• The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Emeritus Scientist(ES) scheme provides financial assistance to superannuated outstanding scientists to pursue research in their respective fields of specializations especially in those which are of relevance to the programmes and activities of of CSIR.
• A scientist who is an acknowledged expert in the field of his specialisation and has been actively engaged in scientific research during the preceding five years of superannuation will be eligible for grants under this scheme.
• The quality of publications of the scientist including those during the last 5 years prior to his retirement and the honours and awards received by him will be the important criteria for selection under the scheme.
• CSIR has a specially constituted Standing Committee to consider the research proposals under the ES scheme and recommend grants. The Committee generally meets twice a year.
• The grant consists of (i) Scientist Allowance of Rs.20,000/- p.m. to the Emeritus Scientist (ES) for the duration of his/her tenure, (ii) suitable contingent grant per annum, and (iii) technical assistance in the form of research fellows/associates.
PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING
• Request for grant under ES Scheme may be made in the prescribed profroma (Form-D) at any time during the year. The application may be submitted to the Human Resource Development (HRD) Group of CSIR through the executive authority of the institution where the ES proposes to carry out the research work etc duly certified that the core facilities are available and will be provided to him to work on the proposed scheme and the Department/Institution will discharge all its obligations particularly in respect of management of the grant given.
• A proposal is sent to a set of referees including those in CSIR Laboratories/ Institutes engaged in the general area of research of the superannuated scientist. The scheme alongwith the comments of the referees is referred to the Standing Committee for consideration at its meeting.
• The ES and the host institutions are intimated immediately after the recommendations of the Standing Committee are approved by the competent authority. The quantum of the grant approved in the form of Scientist Allowance to the scientist, number of research Fellowships/Associateships, contingency and equipment, if any, is communicated through a sanction letter alongwith the terms and conditions governing the scheme. No graded posts are sanctioned for the operation of a scheme.
• The offer of Emeritus Scientistship will be valid for one year from the date of issue of sanction letter, or from the date of superannuation whichever is later, and if the ES does not join within a year, it will be deemed cancelled and withdrawn. If an ES accepts any other fellowship or assignment, honorarium or employment, his sanction will be deemed withdrawn. No lien will be allowed. The Scientist can apply again, if he wishes to pursue research at a later stage.
OPERATION OF AN EMERITUS SCIENTIST SCHEME
3.1 Documents to be sent to CSIR: CSIR funds are placed at the disposal and control of the sponsoring institution which is entrusted with the accountability of grant. The quantum of financial assistance to each sanctioned scheme is mentioned in the original award letter and renewal sanction. Grants are released in one or two installments for each fiscal year. It is stipulated that the scheme shall start from the commencement date mentioned in the letter or within 3 months from the date of issue of the letter. Following documents need to be provided to CSIR immediately after the receipt of the sanction letter: (i) a certificate by the ES countersigned by the Head of the Department/ Institution that no other aid-giving agency is funding the work proposed to be done under the scheme sanctioned by CSIR,(ii) an agreement in the prescribed Form-A on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs 10/-(each page duly signed by ES) (iii) date of commencement and (iv) RBI EFT Form (Form-K).
3.2 Date of Start: Emeritus Scientistship is considered to have commenced from the date ES starts drawing Scientist Allowance.
3.3 Purchase of equipment: For the release of equipment grant, the proforma invoice of the supplier, with whom the order has been placed is to be furnished along with the claim bill to CSIR by ES through the Registrar/ Principal/Director of the Institute upon completion of purchase formalities, in any case within 3 months from the date of receipt of the equipment grant.
3.4 Tenure: (i) The scheme will initially be sanctioned for three years. On the recommendation of the Committee, it may be extended by two years, after an application is made by ES and forwarded through the host institution. It will be applicable only upto 65 years of age. In case the ES is awarded at a stage when the ES is over 62 years of age, the exact duration of the award will be computed upto his/her attaining 65 years of age.
(ii)The age-limit of 65 years shall not be applicable in the case of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awardees(SSB), Fellows of Indian National Science Academy(INSA), Indian Academy of Sciences(IAS); National Academy of Sciences(NASI), and Indian National Academy of Engineering(INAE); in whose cases, the Emeritus Scientistship shall be admissible for a period of 5 years, subject to the condition that i) the term of EmeritusScientistship does not go beyond 70 years of age; & ii) there is a favourable recommendation from the Director of the Laboratory or Vice-Chancellor of the University.
3.5 Appointment of JRF/SRF/RA : The approved research schemes of CSIR have provision for manpower to assist the investigator(s) in the research programmes. The positions provided are JRF, SRF and/or RA.
3.5.1 Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs):
Competitive written test is conducted jointly by CSIR and UGC at national level (National Eligibility Test, NET), to qualify young men and women for appointment as JRFs. Available NET qualified candidates under i) JRF and ii) Lecturership (NET) categories can be appointed in the schemes of CSIR. Persons who have qualified in the GATE test can also be selected for appointment as JRFs. Both NET and/or GATE qualified candidates should be interviewed to determine their suitability. Selection is to be done as per the procedure 3.5.2 (iii). Non-NET or Non-GATE qualified candidates can not be appointed as JRFs.
3.5.2 Senior Research Fellowships (SRFs):
(i) CSIR directly selects a certain number of persons for SRFs on the basis of academic record, published work and interview by discipline-wise high-level expert committees. Persons among these awardees, who are otherwise eligible, can be appointed as SRFs in CSIR schemes.
(ii) The NET/GATE qualified candidates having a minimum of 2 years of research experience after MSc or equivalent degree can be selected and appointed on the basis of their possessing two years training in methods of research and aptitude for research. The details of the selected candidates accompanied by NET/GATE qualification certificates and recommendations of the interview boards constituted for the purpose of recruiting SRF(s) must be sent to CSIR. The appointments will be then formally approved by CSIR. National advertisement may not be necessary here.
(iii) SRFs can also be selected by national advertisement or through wide circulation of the advertisement material from among the non-NET/GATE qualified MSc /equivalent degree candidates possessing two years training in methods of research and aptitude for research assessed from published project work or candidates possessing ME/MBBS or equivalent qualifications. The eligible candidates will be interviewed by a Board consisting of the ES, Head of the Department and an external member from outside the university/institution who is an expert in the relevant field and is not below the rank of Professor/Associate Professor. The recommendations of the Board on each applicant, alongwith all the candidates' applications are to be sent to CSIR for the approval and formalization of selection.
(iv) Research Associateships (RAs):
(i) Persons among those directly selected by CSIR for award of RA-ship can be appointed as RAs in schemes.
(ii) The procedure given in 3.5.2 can be used for appointing RAs. However, CSIR is to be informed about the outcome of selection, so that the same can be formalized.
3.6 When JRF/SRF/RA is selected by modes 3.5.2 and 3.5.3, the biodata of the candidates should be obtained in Form-G. The following documents are to be sent to CSIR-HRDG for the approval of staff. (i) Copy of advertisement. (ii) Copy of minutes of the selection committee (iii) Form-G duly filled in by the candidate and signed and sealed by ES and the head of the institution. (iv) Copy of candidates’ educational testimonials from class 10th onwards duly certified (v) Proof of date of birth (vi) Proof of experience (if any) (vii) Copy of caste certificate or handicapped certificate as the case may be.
3.7 ES may appoint JRF/SRF/RA in place of sanctioned position under intimation to CSIR indicating reasons thereof.
3.8 The tenure of the fellow(s)/associate(s) appointed in a scheme, excepting that of JRF-NET (CSIR), is co-terminus with the scheme. In other words, the tenure of the Fellow/Associate shall cease from the date the scheme terminates, irrespective of the period of fellowship/associateship held by him/her in that scheme. The total tenure of a fellow as JRF+SRF can be 5 years only. The normal tenure of RA will be 3 years. However, when a RA is appointed before completion of a total tenure of 3 years, he/she may be allowed to continue till the tenure of the scheme. However specific approval of CSIR(HRDG) may be obtained in such cases.
FOREIGN TRAVEL GRANT
An ES may be sanctioned partial foreign travel grant upto Rs. 30,000/- or 50% of the air fare whichever is less, Economy Class by the shortest route only if he/she has been invited to Chair an International conference or one of its sessions abroad.This grant is admissible once in three years. Host Institute’s concurrence is required to avail of this facility. ES should keep CSIR informed about any visit abroad, extending over 3 months.
LEAVE FOR ES : An ES may avail of 45 days leave in a year with Scientist Allowance. Leave will be sanctioned by the Host Institution
Research proposals in the prescribed format should be submitted by email to nsemr2@csirhrdg.res.in, with cc to shweta.pant@csir.res.in on or before the cut-off date of 7th September 2025.
Form-D : Grant application : PDF | Word
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