Government selects 7 institutions to lead PM Research Chair scheme

The Ministry of Education, under the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) scheme, has received 3,600 fellowship applications from researchers, scientists, and professionals, and more than 400 applications from host institutions. 

Seven institutions have so far been identified as “lead institutions”. The PMRC scheme has received an allocation of Rs 200 crore under the union budget 2026-27. 

The scheme plans to bring at least 120 distinguished Indian research professionals to India over five years from 2026 to 2027 and 2030 to 2031. The PMRC research scheme will also offer financial assistance for both PMRC fellows and research chairs. The scheme was initially proposed during an Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) council meeting held in November, 2025.

Three fellowship categories

The PMRC research fellowship scheme will offer opportunities under three categories, research chair, senior fellow and young research fellow. The fellowship application deadline is extended to August 15.

The government has selected 13 priority focus sectors, such as semiconductors, energy sustainability and climate change, and artificial intelligence, space and defence. An empowered committee led by the principal scientific adviser will select the government institutions, national laboratories and research institutes that will implement the scheme.

PMRC Host Institutions: Who can participate?

The committee will select one lead institution for each priority area. These lead institutions will assess whether potential host institutions have the required facilities and research capabilities to be a part of the PMRC scheme.

The following institutions will be eligible to become host institutions:

• Government institutions ranked among the top 100 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) category 
• Government institutions ranked among the top 50 in the NIRF engineering category
• Government institutions ranked among the top 50 in the NIRF research category
• National laboratories and research institutions under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Host institutions with strong research and innovation facilties, industry-academia partnerships, experience in patent commercialisation, and robust research support will become eligible to host PMRC fellows.