Amendments to Prime Minister Research Fellowship Scheme (PMRF)

The Union Ministry of Human Resource and Development recently announced various amendments to Prime Minister Research Fellowship Scheme.

Highlights

Under the scheme, a dedicated division called “Research and Innovation Division” was created to boost research. The division is to be headed by director who coordinates research work of several institutions under the Ministry of HRD.

The new amendment makes GATE score mandatory for the students of any other institutes other than the central institutes (such as IISc, NIT, IIT, IIIT). From the academic year 2020-21, two channels of entries, one under direct entry and other under lateral entry are to be conducted to students willing to pursue their PhD under the PMRF scheme.

PMRF Scheme

The scheme is designed to improve quality of research in higher educational institutions. The main aim of the scheme is to attract best talent into the research. The PMRF Scheme was first introduced in the Union Budget 2018-19. The institutes that are eligible under PMRF scheme includes IISERs, IITs, IISc Bengaluru and other top central universities and NITs. Above all the institutes should offer science and technology degrees.

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2020