Fellowship 2026: Earn ₹80,000 Per Month, ₹2 Lakh Annual Research Grant – Eligibility for N-PDF Explained

The National Post-Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) 2026 by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) offers young Indian researchers an outstanding opportunity to pursue high-level scientific research. Established in 2023, ANRF functions as a premier body providing advanced facilities for research across science and engineering disciplines, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).

Application Timeline: Online applications for the N-PDF 2026 are open until 17 February 2026.

Fellowship Benefits

• Monthly Fellowship: ₹80,000 per month for post-PhD candidates. Those who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting the degree will receive ₹50,000 per month until their degree is officially awarded.
• Annual Research Grant: ₹2,00,000 for research expenses.
• Overheads for Host Institution: ₹1,00,000.
• The fellowship is taxable under Indian income tax laws and valid only at recognized academic institutions, national laboratories, and approved R&D centers in India.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

• Be Indian citizens.
• Hold a Ph.D., M.D., or M.S. degree from a recognized university, or have submitted their thesis and be awaiting the degree.
• Have at least two published research papers at the time of application.
• Demonstrate an excellent research track record based on publications and output quality.
• Be within five years of their Ph.D. viva-voce date.
• Be below 35 years of age at the time of application (relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST/OBC, differently-abled, and women candidates).
• Applicants may receive the fellowship only once during their career.

Mentor Requirements:

• Must hold a regular academic or research position in a recognized Indian institution.
• Must have a Ph.D. in Science or Engineering.
• A mentor can supervise a maximum of two N-PDF fellows at a time.

Restrictions:

• The fellowship cannot be availed simultaneously with any other government or non-government fellowship.
• Fellows cannot work with their Ph.D. guide/co-guide or at the institution where they completed their Ph.D./M.D./M.S.

Selection Process

Applicants must identify a mentor under whom they propose to conduct research. Selection is based on the recommendation of an expert committee, and shortlisted candidates may be called for a personal interview.

How to Apply Online

1. Register at ANRF Portal.
2. Fill in required details including bio-data, photograph, institutional information, and mentor details.
3. Provide project information:

• Project topic (max 500 characters)
• Project summary (max 3,000 characters)
• Keywords (max 6)
• Objectives (max 1,500 characters)
• Expected output/results (max 1,500 characters)

1. Upload the research plan as a single PDF (max 3 pages, 10 MB).
2. Ensure all required documents are submitted in the specified format:

• Bio-data, age certificate, qualification certificate, category certificate (if applicable), undertaking certificate, mentor and host endorsement, mentor CV, plagiarism certificate, and proof of viva-voce date.

For complete details, visit: ANRF N-PDF Portal

Fellowship Duration and Payment

• The fellowship is a temporary assignment for two years.
• Selected candidates will receive an offer notification via ANRF portal, and must download the offer letter to confirm acceptance.

Termination: Fellows wishing to discontinue must inform ANRF immediately via their mentor and host institution. ANRF reserves the right to terminate the fellowship at any stage if research progress is unsatisfactory or funds are misused.

This version is structured for clarity, accuracy, and professional newspaper style, highlighting all benefits, eligibility, application process, and rules for prospective N-PDF candidates.