CSIR-JRF fellowship terminations leave PhD scholars in distress, AIRSA writes to council

Several PhD scholars who qualified the CSIR-Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) are facing academic, financial, and mental distress following the termination of their fellowships, the All India Research Scholars Association (AIRSA) has written to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

In a letter addressed to CSIR director general N Kalaiselvi, AIRSA said termination of the fellowship in the middle of the ongoing PhD tenure severely disrupts research continuity and adversely impacts the future career prospects of scholars.

The association said it has received several complaints and continues to receive such representations where fellowships have been terminated due to procedural delays, administrative constraints, or delayed submission or evaluation of Annual Progress Reports.

The discontinuation or stopping of CSIR stipends in such cases is often due to circumstances beyond the direct control of the scholars, rather than any willful non-compliance or academic misconduct, it said.

Review CSIR fellowship termination

Despite qualifying CSIR-JRF, many PhD scholars in premier Indian institutes face serious mental and financial challenges, AIRSA said.

The association has demanded a review of the circumstances that led to the termination of CSIR fellowship on a case-by-case basis.

To avoid communication gaps, AIRSA suggested: “Before rejection of Annual Progress Reports on the CSIR Portal or termination of CSIR fellowships, the concerned CSIR authority should formally inform the host institute's higher authority, Head of the Department, Doctoral Committee members, and Principal Investigator.”

Rather than placing responsibility for APR solely on the research scholar, accountability should be shared by doctoral committee members, supervisors, and the institute.

Pushing for transparent and uniform guidelines, along with a robust grievance redressal mechanism, the scholars have asked the council to strengthen and sensitise the CSIR helpdesk, as several scholars have reported a lack of support in the time of need.

“We strongly believe that a fair, empathetic, and transparent consideration of this matter will uphold the principles of academic excellence, equity, and social responsibility that CSIR has long stood for, while safeguarding the future of young researchers contributing to the nation's scientific and technological development,” it added.