‘Research is not a hobby’: AIRSA calls for inclusion of PhD scholars in 8th Pay Commission discussion

The All India Research Scholars Association (AIRSA) has written to the secretary of the department of science and technology, Abhay Karandikar, urging the inclusion of research scholars in the deliberations of the upcoming 8th Pay Commission and calling for the creation of sustainable post-PhD career pathways.

AIRSA said that PhD scholars supported through JRF and SRF schemes currently receive a monthly stipend of Rs 37,000 only, and remain excluded from national pay and policy discussions.

The association said research scholars form a critical yet overlooked segment of India’s knowledge ecosystem. It flagged long-standing structural issues faced by doctoral scholars, including the limited availability of academic positions, the absence of a structured post-PhD absorption policy, a widening gap between industry and academia, and years of specialised expertise coupled with uncertain career stability.

“As discussions intensify around the 8th Pay Commission, there is growing concern regarding the complete absence of PhD scholars from this national conversation,” the letter noted.

Research backbone undervalued

AIRSA said a PhD represents the highest academic qualification in India, requiring years of intellectual labour, research output and teaching responsibilities. It said scholars are expected to deliver cutting-edge research during the most productive years of their lives, “typically between 25 and 30 years of age”, often under significant financial, social and psychological pressure.

The association said if pay commissions can revise salaries, PhD stipends must also be included in such deliberations. It added that if recruitment policies can be framed, there must be a clear and structured roadmap for PhD holders after graduation.

AIRSA urged the government to revisit and restructure PhD stipend amounts in line with inflation, workload and national research priorities, include research scholars in national pay policy discussions, and develop sustainable post-PhD career pathways across academia, industry, policy and research administration.

“Research is not a hobby,” the association said, stressing that doctoral scholars contribute directly to India’s scientific capacity, innovation ecosystem and policy knowledge base.

It warned that continued neglect of research scholars could discourage future generations from pursuing advanced research at a time when India is seeking to strengthen its global standing in science, technology and innovation.