ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship: A Complete Guide for Researchers in Social Sciences

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), India—an apex body under the Ministry of Education—advances national research priorities by funding scholars, institutions, and thematic programs across the social sciences. Within its portfolio, the Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) is a signature offering for freshly minted Ph.D. holders who are ready to build a distinctive, independent scholarly identity. Designed to foster methodological rigor, policy relevance, and international-quality outputs, the fellowship supports projects that move beyond the doctoral thesis, deepen domain knowledge, and generate publishable results that speak to India’s current and future challenges. For official scope, eligibility, and the latest call, consult the ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship page.

The ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2024–25 empowers early-career social science scholars to pursue rigorous, independent research with structured financial and institutional support. Open to candidates below 45 years, the award offers a monthly fellowship, contingency funds, and host affiliation—strengthening India’s research capacity and the pipeline of future faculty leaders.

Objectives of the Fellowship

The program is structured to deliver clear academic and public-value outcomes:

• • Accelerate early-career growth: Enable recent Ph.D. graduates to

    establish an independent research agenda and demonstrate scholarly leadership.

  • Advance knowledge and methods: Support theoretical, empirical, and mixed-methods studies that expand disciplinary tools and contribute to robust evidence bases.

  • Strengthen policy relevance: Encourage projects aligned with national priorities, social inclusion, and sustainable development, while remaining grounded in rigorous scholarship.

  • Build a research pipeline: Develop a cadre of scholars prepared for tenure-track roles, think-tanks, and knowledge-intensive institutions across India.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must satisfy all eligibility thresholds at the time of application.

Academic Requirements

• • Possess a Ph.D. in a recognized social science discipline from an accredited Indian university.

  • Have the Ph.D. awarded within the preceding two years from the date of application (submissions under evaluation are not eligible).

Age Limit

• • Be under 45 years on the application deadline.

Citizenship

• • Be an Indian national.

Institutional Affiliation

• • Secure willingness

    from an ICSSR Research Institute, an ICSSR-recognized center, or a university department to host the project, providing academic oversight and basic facilities.

Duration and Number of Fellowships

• • Tenure: Two years, full-time, with no part-time or in-service format.

  • Scale: Around 100 awards per cycle, subject to budgetary availability and the quality of proposals received.

Financial Support

The fellowship package ensures scholars can prioritize research without undue financial constraint:

• • Monthly Fellowship: ₹31,000 to support living expenses during the tenure.

  • Contingency Grant: ₹25,000 per annum for fieldwork, data purchase, software, books, minor equipment, and essential research travel.

  • Overhead to Host: ₹25,000 per annum paid to the affiliating institution toward administrative facilitation and infrastructure support.

Together, these components underwrite the practical demands of a serious post-doctoral project—field access, data quality, and timely dissemination.

Fields of Study

All UGC-recognized social science disciplines are covered, including but not limited to:

• • Economics, Sociology, Political Science, and Public Administration

  • International Relations, Strategic and Security Studies

  • Social Psychology, Education, and Development Studies

  • Law, Governance, and Public Policy

  • Women’s Studies, Social Work, and Area Studies

  • Interdisciplinary research intersecting social sciences with environment, health, digital society, or technology-policy interfaces

Applicants should frame proposals that demonstrate disciplinary depth and, where relevant, cross-sectoral linkages.

Application Process

A competitive submission stands on clarity, feasibility, and a tight research–method fit.

Step 1 — Online Submission

Apply exclusively through the ICSSR online portal. E-mail or hard-copy applications are not considered.

Step 2 — Prepare Required Documents

Upload the following in prescribed formats:

• • Detailed research proposal outlining background, literature review, research questions, methodology, ethics, work plan, and deliverables.

  • Ph.D. synopsis (≤ 1,500 words) and abstract of proposed study (≤ 500 words).

  • Academic CV with a complete list of publications and conference contributions.

  • Degree certificates and transcripts (including Ph.D. award certificate).

  • Host-institution consent indicating willingness to affiliate the fellow.

  • Category certificate, if applicable.

Step 3 — Institutional Endorsement

Obtain forwarding/verification from the head of the affiliating department/centre as specified.

Step 4 —

Review and Decision

Proposals undergo expert screening, shortlisting, and selection-committee evaluation. The ICSSR decision is final, and only applications meeting every eligibility and documentation requirement proceed to review.

Evaluation Criteria

Selection emphasizes scholarly merit and project deliverability:

• • Originality & significance: Well-posed research questions linked to demonstrable knowledge gaps.

  • Methodological strength: Fit-for-purpose design, sampling, tools, and analysis with realistic timelines.

  • Track record: Publications, research training, conference activity, and awards commensurate with career stage.

  • Institutional feasibility: Evidence of adequate supervision, resources, and field access via the host.

Responsibilities of the Fellow

Awardees are expected to maintain high professional standards:

• • Full-time engagement with the approved project and adherence to the submitted work plan.

  • Annual progress reports evidencing milestones, outputs, and any ethical approvals.

  • Publications: At least two peer-reviewed articles (or equivalent high-quality outputs) during the tenure.

  • Final submission: A comprehensive project report and an executive summary suitable for public dissemination and policy stakeholders.

Important Dates

• • Call opening and portal schedule: As notified on the ICSSR website.

  • Application deadline: October (for the current cycle; consult the portal for the exact cut-off).

  • Next cycle (indicative): August–September (to be confirmed on release of the subsequent call; we will update soon).

Strategic Tips for Applicants

• • Lead with originality: Show how your inquiry reframes debates or fills measurable gaps in theory, data, or methods.

  • Demonstrate feasibility: Align design, access, and ethics with a credible work plan and buffer for field contingencies.

  • Show contribution: Specify intended journals, datasets, tools, or policy notes your project will deliver.

  • Anchor the fit: Explain why your host is the right environment—supervision, lab/field networks, and library/data access.

  • Apply early: Portal peaks near the deadline; early submission avoids formatting and upload issues.

Why Apply for the ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship?

Beyond financial support, the fellowship confers reputation benefits and a structured runway into a faculty or policy-research career:

• • Signal of quality: A nationally competitive award that strengthens academic credentials and hiring prospects.

  • Research runway: Protected time to publish, finalize datasets, and craft your long-term agenda.

  • Professional networks: Access to peers, host resources, and conferences—often catalysing multi-institutional collaborations.

Conclusion

The ICSSR Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2024–25 offers a disciplined framework for early-career scholars to convert promising dissertation-adjacent ideas into mature research programs with clear outputs. By combining funding, affiliation, and performance-based expectations, it ensures momentum toward publication, public value, and career advancement. For authoritative rules, formats, and conditions, refer to the ICSSR PDF Guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions