India’s rapidly evolving higher education and research landscape has long struggled with disparities in research output and infrastructure across institutions. To address this, the Government of India, through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), initiated the Prime Minister Professorship in 2025. This visionary initiative is rooted in the objectives outlined in the ANRF Act, 2023, and seeks to build equitable research ecosystems across India by engaging retired or superannuated scientists, industry leaders, and international experts.
The Prime Minister Professorship, launched under India’s Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), aims to transform research capabilities in underfunded state universities by inviting globally experienced scholars to mentor faculty, lead research, and strengthen institutional ecosystems across the country.
As per the official ANRF website, the scheme focuses on mentoring, translational research, and institutional upliftment at select state universities across the country.
Vision and Strategic Objectives
The overarching goal of the Prime Minister Professorship is to democratize access to high-quality research mentorship in India’s state university system. The program aims to:
Mobilize Senior Expertise
Recruit superannuated faculty, Indian-origin international researchers, and industry professionals with significant contributions to science and technology.
Foster Mentorship at Scale
Support long-term mentoring relationships between eminent researchers and faculty/students in
institutions where research capacity is underdeveloped.
Promote National Priority Research
Facilitate research aligned with national missions in science, technology, agriculture, social sciences, healthcare, climate, and engineering.
This initiative is also a critical element of the broader PAIR (Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research) program. PAIR follows a hub-and-spoke model, enabling knowledge transfer from premier institutions to developing state universities (designated as Category-A spoke institutions).
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
Who Can Apply
The program is open to Indian and Indian-origin professionals who meet any of the following criteria:
- Retired Faculty: Superannuated professors from reputed Indian institutions or national laboratories.
- NRIs/OCIs/PIOs: Indian-origin experts with academic or industrial experience abroad.
- Industry Leaders or Professors of Practice: Recognized for pioneering work in applied research or innovation.
Key Requirements
- Applicants must be actively engaged in research and committed to a full-time mentoring role.
- They must relocate to the host university full-time, without receiving any other salary or honoraria from concurrent appointments.
- No age restriction applies, though the applicant must have officially retired before applying.
Host Institution Eligibility
Only Category-A spoke universities under the ANRF PAIR model can host a Prime Minister Professor. Notable institutions currently eligible include:
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Bangalore University (also serving as the nodal institution)Panjab UniversityOsmania UniversityUniversity of CalicutShivaji UniversityThese institutions are nominated for mentorship based on potential and need for capacity building.
Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support
The Prime Minister Professorship offers comprehensive financial and institutional support to attract leading minds from academia and industry.
Annual Funding Breakdown
- Fellowship Amount: ₹30 lakh per annum
- Research Grant: ₹24 lakh per annum (includes consumables, travel, minor equipment, and contingencies)
- Institutional Overhead: ₹1 lakh per annum (allocated to host university)
Duration of Appointment
- The appointment is made for up to five years, contingent on performance.
- A mid-term review after three years will assess progress and determine continuation.
This long-term structure is designed to support sustainable improvements in institutional research output and capacity.
Roles and Responsibilities of Prime Minister Professors
Appointed professors are expected to serve as catalysts for academic transformation at their host institutions. Their primary duties include:
Academic and Research Mentorship
- Guide faculty and students in formulating research proposals, improving pedagogical
practices, and publishing in high-impact journals.
Infrastructure and Network Development
- Assist the host institution in establishing or upgrading research labs and collaborative projects.
- Facilitate partnerships with hubs and other external agencies, including CSR and international bodies.
Strategic Planning and Institutional Capacity Building
- Help shape the university’s long-term research strategy aligned with national priorities.
- Strengthen ecosystem elements such as research ethics, patent filing, and grant acquisition.
Professors are also encouraged to host internships, workshops, and public lectures that can elevate the research culture of the university to national and global standards.
Timelines and Application Cycle
Important Dates (Tentative)
- Call for Proposals: July 2025
- Application Deadline: September 2025
We will update this article once the official announcement is made for the next cycle. Interested applicants are advised to start preparing in advance due to the comprehensive nature of the submission process.
Application Components
Applicants must co-submit with their intended host university. A full application typically includes:
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- Statement of impact outlining the proposed mentorship plan
- Institutional support letter confirming the university’s readiness and commitment
- Research roadmap and plan for mentoring 2+ departments
Strategic Significance for India’s R&D Ecosystem
The Prime Minister Professorship is a transformational policy tool for decentralizing India’s research excellence. Its strategic impact includes:
Leveraging Senior Talent
Highly experienced researchers often continue to contribute meaningfully post-retirement. This scheme offers a structured platform to deploy their knowledge in regions that need it most.
Bridging Research Inequality
State universities are home to a large population of India’s students but lag behind in research funding and output. Through mentorship and funding, the program directly addresses this imbalance.
Accelerating National Goals
By aligning with key national missions—such as Digital India, Make in India, Clean Energy, and Healthcare for All—the scheme ensures that academic research has real-world applications and societal impact.
Enhancing Global Visibility
Collaborations initiated under this program can lead to joint publications, conferences, and patents, enhancing India’s global research footprint.
Proposal Preparation Tips for Applicants
To enhance the chances of selection, applicants should focus on the following aspects:
- Demonstrate past impact: Include research contributions, successful student mentorship, awards, and prior administrative or strategic roles.
- Articulate vision clearly: The proposal should lay out a 3–5 year roadmap of measurable goals tied to national needs.
- Align with host capabilities: Show how the proposal complements the host university’s needs and existing resources.
- Involve departments: Cross-disciplinary engagement is preferred. The plan should benefit at least two departments directly.
Comparison Snapshot
Feature | Prime Minister Professorship |
Target Audience | Retired academics, NRIs, industry researchers |
Host Institutions | PAIR Category-A state universities |
Tenure | Up to 5 years (review at ~3 years) |
Annual Support | ₹30L fellowship, ₹24L research grant, ₹1L institutional grant |
Primary Role | Mentorship, ecosystem development, strategic research |
Core Objective | Enhance research and innovation in underfunded institutions |
Conclusion and Outlook
The Prime Minister Professorship represents a strategic shift in how India leverages intellectual capital to uplift its academic institutions. Rather than concentrating excellence in a few institutions, this scheme decentralizes expertise, empowering state universities to become centers of innovation and inquiry.
This initiative supports India’s broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by ensuring that talent and opportunity are not confined to traditional centers of excellence. Scholars—both domestic and global—who are passionate about mentoring and nation-building are encouraged to apply.
As of now, the next application cycle is expected to be announced in July 2026. Please check the ANRF portal for updates. We will update this article as soon as the new cycle is announced.
For detailed program documentation and application guidelines, visit the official ANRF portal.
References
- Prime Minister Professorship – Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
- PM Professorship – Official Current Affairs by Vajiram & Ravi
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Prime Minister Professorship by ANRF?The Prime Minister Professorship is a government initiative that appoints senior researchers to mentor faculty and develop research ecosystems in state universities across India.
Who is eligible for the Prime Minister Professorship?Retired faculty, NRIs, OCIs, and industry experts with active research engagement can apply to mentor and work full-time at selected Indian state universities.
How much funding does the Prime Minister Professorship offer?The program provides ₹30 lakh annually as fellowship, ₹24 lakh for research expenses, and ₹1 lakh institutional overhead to the host university.
Which universities are eligible to host a Prime Minister Professor?Only Category-A spoke universities under the PAIR scheme, such as Bangalore, Osmania, and Panjab Universities, are eligible to host a Prime Minister Professor.
What is the tenure of the Prime Minister Professorship?The initial tenure is up to five years, with a mandatory performance review after three years to assess progress and institutional impact.
Can NRIs and international faculty apply for the PM Professorship?Yes, Indian-origin experts working abroad, including NRIs, OCIs, and PIOs, can apply if they are willing to relocate to India full-time.
Is there any age limit to apply for the Prime Minister Professorship?No, there is no upper age limit. However, applicants must have officially retired or superannuated from their previous roles before applying.
When is the application deadline for the Prime Minister Professorship?Applications typically close in September. Future cycles are expected to follow a similar timeline. Keep checking the official portal for updates.
How can I apply for the Prime Minister Professorship?You must submit a joint proposal with the host university through the ANRF portal, including a CV, mentorship plan, and institutional support letter.