The Director of Science and Technology (DST) has announced a hike in fellowship stipends for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), and all three levels of research associates. The revised stipends have received mixed reactions from scholars, with some expressing disappointment and others welcoming the increase.
Summary
- The Director of Science and Technology (DST) has announced an increase in the fellowship stipends for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), and all three levels of research associates.
- The revised fellowship stipends are as follows: JRF – Rs 37,000, SRF – Rs 42,000, Research Associate 1 – Rs 58,000, Research Associate 2 – Rs 61,000, and Research Associate 3 – Rs 63,000.
- The stipends for JRF and SRF have been increased by 19% and 20% respectively compared to 2019.
- There are mixed reactions from scholars regarding the hike in stipends, with some welcoming the increase and others expressing disappointment and demanding higher stipends.
- Some scholars have compared the stipends received in India to those in the US and expressed concerns about the disparity.
The revised fellowship stipends are as follows:
- JRF: Rs 37,000
- SRF: Rs 42,000
- Research Associate 1: Rs 58,000
- Research Associate 2: Rs 61,000
- Research Associate 3: Rs 63,000
- The JRF stipend has been increased by 19% and SRF by 20% compared to the 2019 stipends.
- RA-1 and RA-2 stipends have been increased by 23% and 24% respectively, while RA-3 received a 16% hike.
- Some scholars have expressed disappointment, comparing the stipends to those received in the US, where the typical PhD stipend is $24,000 per year.
- Others have demanded a minimum stipend of Rs 60,000 for JRF and called for a complete overhaul of the pay system.
The announcement has received mixed reactions from scholars. While some have welcomed the increase, others have expressed disappointment and demanded higher stipends. One Twitter user compared the Indian stipends to those in the US, pointing out that JRF fellowships in India pay around 1.5 times the per capita income, whereas the typical PhD stipend in the US is only around 0.33 times the per capita income. This comparison has raised questions about the adequacy of the stipend increase.
The announcement of the stipend hike has generated various responses from PhD scholars. While some scholars appreciate the raise, others argue for a more significant increase to bridge the gap between stipends and salaries received by fresh faculty recruits. The reaction to the revised fellowship stipends highlights the ongoing discussions and debates surrounding research fellowship stipends in India.
Govt. has approved enhancing emoluments for JRF/SRF/RAs engaged in R&D activities whereby they will receive following fellowships/month w.e.f 01/01/2023:
— DSTIndia (@IndiaDST) June 22, 2023
JRF – Rs 37,000
SRF – Rs 42,000
RA1 – Rs 58,000
RA2 – Rs 61,000
RA3 – Rs 63,000@DrJitendraSingh @srivaric @guptaakhilesh63
