Ministry: Ministry Of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Department: Department of Agriculture Research and Education
The scheme aims to develop competent human resources in agriculture and allied sciences through international doctoral education and research opportunities, while providing fellowship support, travel assistance, and exposure to world-class institutions.
Master’s degree in agriculture/allied sciences with an Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) 6.60 out of 10.0 or 65% marks or equivalent will be the eligibility requirement for the NS-ICAR IFs.
The fresh candidates should not be more than 35 years of age on the last date prescribed for receipt of applications. The upper age limit for In-service candidates will be 40 years on the last date for receipt of applications.
The fellowship would be available for both, fresh and in-service candidates. However, the fresh candidates should have completed their qualifying degree not more than two years before the specified date in the year of admission. The in-service candidates from India should be employed in the ICAR-AU system.
The Council will identify and announce the priority areas of research and the list of institutions for admission, one year in advance, for availing the Netaji Subhas- ICAR IFs.
> Bank Guarantee and Service Bond:
Indian selected fellows shall provide an irrevocable Bank guarantee for an amount of US$ 10,000/- (equivalent in rupee currency) in favour of the Secretary, ICAR. The Bank guarantee should be valid for the entire duration till the successful completion of the programme. 1. For foreign national selected fellows, an amount of ₹ 2,00,000 will be recovered from their fellowship grant as alternate of Bank guaranty, in terms of ₹ 1,00,000 each from first and second installment till successful completion of their Ph.D. study programme. This fellowship amount of Rs. 2,00,000 will be paid to the fellow at the time of final release of fellowship”.1. The Indian in-service candidates selected for international fellowship shall execute a bond with the deputing University/Institute to undertake to serve that institution after the completion of degree for at least three years.
> Eligibility for the Continuance of the Fellowship:
The fellow will submit his progress report to the Council, through his/her adviser/supervisor/ head of the institution every six months.
During the tenure of fellowship, the fellow should neither change the place of work nor deviate from the broad research area for which the fellowship is sanctioned. The selected candidates shall be required to submit an Undertaking to this effect and also for adherence to the other conditions of the guidelines regulating the fellowship as
prescribed by the ICAR, with the acceptance of the International Fellowship.
The fellow will devote his/ her full time for his/ her chosen area of studies/ research work during the tenure of his/ her fellowship.
Satisfactory progress in studies will be essential for the continuance of the fellowship during the period of study as reflected by the grades secured and certification by the advisor/ supervisor.
In case of unsatisfactory performance in studies, or conduct probation, the fellowship will be terminated with immediate effect and the fellow will be required to meet the expenditure on remaining part of the programme from his/her own resources.
This fellowship is not meant for the conduct of training or to carry out research of short duration.
> Medical Fitness:
Selected fellow would be required to get his/ her medical fitness test and medical insurance done at his/her own cost.
> Payment of Fee:
All fees chargeable by the host institution where the fellow is enrolled will be paid by the fellow himself out of the fellowship grant or from his/ her own resources.
> IPR Issues:
The fellow is expected to take proper measures to protect the Intellectual Property Rights likely to be generated during his/ her stay in the host institution. The Council will have the appropriate share on the patents/ knowledge generated by the fellow while pursuing the programme as specified under IP Management bulletin. If the fellow enters into any other IP agreement, the same will be appropriately shared with the Council. In all publications arising out of this work, the support from the Council should be duly acknowledged.
> Completion Report:
Both Indian and Overseas fellows will have to submit within 15 days of their completion of the program, a copy of the dissertation/thesis and a brief report on the activities undertaken including any significant research contribution to the Council.
> Non-return of Indian Fellows to India:
The Indian Fellows have to return back to India after completion of the Ph.D. degree. If the fresh Indian Fellow is offered a suitable position in ICAR-AU system, he/she shall serve the ICAR-AU system. In case of non-compliance to these provisions, entire amount paid to the Fellow along with 10% overhead cost will be recovered by the Council from the Fellow himself or from his surety, failing which, the Indian Embassy in the host country will be informed to take appropriate action.
✦ Required ◦ Optional
Step 1: The applicant should visit the ICAR website and review the detailed guidelines, priority research areas, and prescribed application format.
Step 2: The applicant should identify a priority area of study and prepare a research proposal relevant to Indian or global agriculture.
Step 3: The applicant should obtain admission or an acceptance letter from an identified host institution. Indian applicants must secure admission in an identified overseas institution, while overseas applicants must secure admission in an identified Indian Agricultural University.
Step 4: The applicant should obtain details of two referees, including their contact email addresses. One referee should preferably be the current supervisor (if employed), and the other should be an expert familiar with the applicant’s work.
Step 5: The applicant should complete the prescribed application form and attach all required supporting documents.
Step 6: The applicant should submit the completed application to the Assistant Director General (Human Resource Development), ICAR, through the prescribed mode, mentioning “Application for NSIF: Applicant Name and Contact Number” in the subject line if submitted by email.
Step 7: ICAR evaluates applications based on academic records, research proposal, achievements, work experience, and relevance of the proposed area of study.
Step 8: Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview conducted by the Selection Committee. The interview may be held in person, through telephone, or via teleconferencing.
Step 9: At the time of the interview, the applicant must furnish the admission acceptance letter from the host institution. In-service Indian applicants must also submit deputation approval from their parent institution.
Step 10: Selected applicants receive the fellowship award and must register for the Ph.D. programme within 1 year from the date of the award letter.
