Prof. Sitharam T.G, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has officially launched the AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) Scheme for the academic year 2024-25. This initiative is designed to foster a strong research culture and enhance knowledge through a robust ecosystem within AICTE-approved institutions.

The ADF Scheme aims to finance and promote collaborative, high-quality, peer-reviewed research between technical institutions and industries. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for the creation of start-ups and further academic advancement for scholars. Initially exclusive to Engineering and Technology students, the scheme now encompasses all disciplines under AICTE’s jurisdiction.

Annually, 400 scholarships will be awarded under this scheme. A distinctive feature of the ADF Scheme allows scholars to apply directly or through their respective universities, with scholarship funds disbursed via direct beneficiary transfer (DBT).

The scheme offers two categories for application:

– Category A: Candidates can apply directly through the AICTE ADF portal, provided they have a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their university, adhering to the scheme’s guidelines.

– Category B: Universities can register and admit students into their Ph.D. programs based on their procedures, provided they meet AICTE’s minimum eligibility criteria. An AICTE evaluation committee will assess research proposals to ensure quality in Ph.D. research for both categories.

Eligibility criteria include an age limit of 30 years, with relaxations as per government norms. Junior Research Fellows (JRF) will receive a monthly stipend of ₹37,000, while Senior Research Fellows (SRF) will receive ₹42,000 per month. The fellowship is available for up to five years, and applications can be submitted year-round following the completion of the admission process for the academic year.