CSIR Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship: Eligibility, Stipend & Application Guide (2025)

The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship is a prestigious research award given by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It is for the best candidates who have qualified for the CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) exam in science subjects.

This fellowship encourages talented students who wish to pursue a PhD by providing increased financial support and national prestige. The fellows of the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship are awarded a monthly stipend of ₹43,000 plus HRA for the initial two years, which could be enhanced to ₹50,000 on the basis of performance.

Besides, a contingency amount of ₹70,000 annually is given to meet research requirements. The SPM Fellowship works towards building a strong base for students who are looking to pursue a career in research across various fields, such as Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, and others. It is among the most competitive fellowships for budding researchers in India.
 

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship: An Overview

The Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship was initiated by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in 2001. It was established in honour of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, who established the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (now the BJP) and made significant contributions to education and national development.

The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship is awarded to the highest scorers in the CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) exam, to carry out research in the fields of Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. It induces worthy students to pursue full-time PhD research by providing financial assistance and acknowledgement.

Moreover, typically referred to as the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship or the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University Scholarship, this award is presented to promote high-quality research throughout India. It remains one of the most sought-after research fellowships for young researchers in the country.
 

Key Highlights of the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee’s University Scholarship is a distinguished research grant for outstanding science students in India. It awards creditable academic excellence and higher funding to support scholars in pursuing PhD-level research. Let’s look into some of the key highlights of the Dr. Shyama Prasad Scholarship program:

• The fellowship honours Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee's continuing legacy towards education and national development.
• Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship is provided by CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research).
• Also referred to as the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship or Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University Scholarship.
• It is for the best rank holders of the CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) in the sciences.
• The disciplines covered include Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Engineering.
• The fellowship is offered for 2 years initially and can be extended up to 5 years (JRF + SRF stage).
• The selection process is highly competitive, with a ratio of 1:3, which means approximately three candidates are interviewed for each seat.
• There are typically 10 seats offered each year in Life and Chemical Sciences, and 5 seats in other streams.
• Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, after whom this fellowship is instituted, was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh party.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship: Eligibility Criteria

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship is awarded to the highest rank holders of the CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) exam. It assists students pursuing science courses such as Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Earth Sciences, and Engineering.
Who is Eligible?



 

• To be eligible, one has to be one of the highest scorers in the above-mentioned subjects.
• There is no application process or form required; students are automatically considered based on their CSIR JRF ranking.
• The final shortlisting for the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship is conducted on an interview basis.

Application & Selection Process for Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship

There is no separate application procedure for the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship. All shortlisted candidates appearing for the CSIR‑UGC JRF (NET) in applicable science streams are considered automatically on the basis of their merit rank. This transparent procedure ensures that the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship goes to the most deserving research scholars.

1. Shortlisting
Shortlisting is strictly based on performance. Three top-ranked candidates are shortlisted for each available fellowship position and invited for personal interviews. This suggests that the selection process is highly competitive and merit-based.

2. Interview Round
In the interview, the panel evaluates the research ability of the candidate, subject matter knowledge, and ability to communicate. The final choice is made based on a combined assessment of NET scores and interview performance.

3. Selection List by CSIR
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-HRDG) posts the list of selected candidates on its website. The procedure ensures that the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship is awarded only to the most talented and self-driven young researchers.
 

Interview Shortlisting Criteria for SPM Fellowship

The shortlisted candidates for the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship interview are selected based on merit and categorised by category. The best candidates from the CSIR-UGC NET JRF merit list are selected, and some relaxation is provided in reserved categories. The shortlisted candidates are as follows:



For Unreserved (UR) category:

• Top 14 candidates each in Chemical and Life Sciences.
• Top 7 candidates each in Earth, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences.

For the OBC category:

• Top 8 candidates in Chemical and Life Sciences.
• The top 4 candidates in the remaining four subjects.
• A relaxation of up to 5% in the cut-off marks for the unreserved category is allowed.

For SC category:

• Top 5 candidates in Chemical and Life Sciences.
• The top 2 candidates in other subjects.
• 10% cut-off relaxation from unreserved is given.

For ST category:

• Top 2 candidates in Chemical and Life Sciences.
• Top 1 candidate in other subjects.
• Up to 10% cut-off relaxation is offered.

For the PWD category:

• The top 1 candidate from each subject.
• Also eligible for 10% relaxation in cut-off compared to unreserved candidates.

The subject-wise and category-wise number of candidates shortlisted is listed in the table below.
 

Subject and Category-Wise Interview Shortlisting Details

The number of candidates invited for an interview under the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship varies based on the subject and category. Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) rank. A relaxation is provided for categories like OBC, SC, ST, and PWD. The following table indicates the number of candidates selected from each subject and category.
 

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship Benefits

The Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship provides a reasonable monthly stipend to research scholars. The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship Amount is among the highest given to young researchers in India. It promotes academic excellence in science and research as well.

• During the first two years, shortlisted fellows get Rs. 43,000 + HRA per month.
• From the third year onwards, this can be raised to Rs. 50,000 + HRA, subject to a performance review and interview.

If the candidate's performance is not satisfactory, the fellowship value can be reduced to the normal CSIR JRF (NET) level. This way, only worthy scholars are given the full benefit of the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship.
 

Contingency Support under Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship

Each of the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship eligible applicants is given a yearly Contingency Grant worth ₹70,000. It aids in academic development and research expenditure. The Fellowship contributes to the overall value of the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship. The grant is utilised for:

• Purchasing books and research materials
• Travel for academic conferences (both within India and overseas)
• Seminar or workshop registration fee payment
• Small laboratory equipment or consumable purchase
• Printing or filing the thesis
• Purchase of a laptop or desktop once (subject to CSIR approval)

Tips for Applicants: Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship

Before applying for the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship program, it’s important to understand what increases your chances of selection. This highly competitive award is based on academic merit and interview performance, so preparing smartly is key. The following table offers helpful tips to guide applicants through the selection process:
 

Tip	Description
Aim for a top rank in CSIR-UGC JRF (NET)	The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship is given only to the best-performing students in the CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) examination. Therefore, ensure you are well-prepared to get the high marks in your optional science subject.
Prepare thoroughly for the interview	Shortlisting is your first step. The final choice relies greatly on your performance in the interview. Demonstrate strong research knowledge, a clear understanding of your subject knowledge, and highlight any academic or research work.
Stay updated through official channels	Continue to check the CSIR-HRDG website for notifications regarding the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship. Be prepared and collect all necessary documents, including the NET scorecard, certificates, and any research proposals.
Develop a well-structured research plan	When a question is asked in the interview, a relevant proposal with good research will show you are serious about preparing for a long-term research career under the funding from the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship.
Understand the fellowship’s purpose and scope	Understand the history and aims of the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University Scholarship. This will enable you to align those with your goals and offer your goals with confidence during the interview.

Conclusion

The Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Scholarship is a prestigious award presented by the CSIR to recognise outstanding scientific research by talented students. It awards the top scorers in the CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) exams and grants them extra funds, a higher stipend and national level recognition. It is an attempt to encourage young minds to pursue full-time research in subjects such as Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, and others.
Students also get contingency grants that help them carry out their research work, attend conferences and purchase equipment to carry out the work. It is competitive, but if you aim for a high NET ranking and adequately prepare yourself for the interview process, you are well-positioned.
This Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship is no ordinary scholarship. It is an excellent prospect for participants interested in research and who wish to make a significant contribution to the fields of science in India.
 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the stipend of the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship?
Fellows get Rs. 43,000/- with HRA every month for the first two years of the fellowship. It increases to Rs. 50,000/- with HRA after two years, after a performance review has been conducted. In case the performance is not satisfactory, the fellowship could be reduced to the regular JRF level.

Q2. What is the amount of the contingency grant, and how is it utilised?
Every fellow is provided a contingency grant of Rs. 70,000/- annually to support their research work. It can be utilised for purchasing books, conference participation, or research equipment. It can even be utilised to print a thesis or purchase a laptop (subject to CSIR approval).

Q3. Shall I apply independently for the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Fellowship?
No independent application is needed for this fellowship. The candidates giving the CSIR-UGC JRF (NET) examination are eligible. Furthermore, shortlisting is conducted based on the best rank and interview performance.

Q4. How many fellowships are given annually?
The number of fellowships is strictly limited to 15 to 30 each year. They are awarded over a variety of science topics on the basis of merit and interview marks. This makes it a very competitive and esteemed award.

Q5. Who was Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, and what is his contribution?
Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the present-day BJP. He was a passionate supporter of education, national integration, and scientific progress in India. The fellowship is named after him to encourage and motivate young researchers from across the nation.