Indirect Tax Internship Scheme In Central Board Of Indirect Taxes And Customs (CBIC) 2026

This scheme honours accomplished retired Indian scientists for their significant national and international contributions in Science, Technology, Read More... Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Medicine, aiming to foster R&D excellence. Read less

Details

The Indian government, through various ministries and departments, offers prestigious chairs to recognise outstanding scientific minds. Among these, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) presents the National Science Chair: Scientific Excellence & Science Leadership scheme. Its core purpose is to acknowledge and support senior Indian scientists who have retired but continue to be active and have made substantial contributions to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Medicine.

What Is This Scheme?

The National Science Chair scheme aims to leverage the extensive experience of distinguished retired scientists. It focuses on 'Scientific Excellence' by providing support to those who have a proven track record of significant research output, including publications, patents, technology development, or policy impact. The idea is that age shouldn't be a barrier to continued scientific contribution, and their expertise should be harnessed for national benefit.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is designed for active, eminent, senior Indian scientists who have retired from their regular positions but are still engaged in research and development activities. They must have a strong history of outstanding contributions and recognition in STEM and Medicine fields, both nationally and internationally.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The scheme is vital for ensuring that the invaluable knowledge and experience of our accomplished senior scientists are not lost. By providing financial support and a platform for continued research, it promotes scientific advancement, fosters innovation, and encourages the mentorship of younger researchers. Recognizing and supporting these individuals helps maintain a vibrant R&D ecosystem in the country.

Objective

This scheme honours accomplished retired Indian scientists for their significant national and international contributions in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Medicine, aiming to foster R&D excellence.

Benefits

Stipend

The student interns will receive a stipend of ₹ 5,000/- per month for satisfactory conduct of the internship.

The graduate interns will receive a stipend of ₹ 15,000/- per month for satisfactory conduct of the internship.

Certificate

On satisfactory completion of the internship, a Certificate of Internship shall be awarded.

Certificate of Internship would be given to only such law student interns who complete a minimum of one month and to such law graduates who complete a minimum three months period of internship.

Interns not completing such a minimum period would not be awarded any certificate.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for nomination, candidates must meet the following criteria:

The nominee must be an active resident Indian scientist or academician with an exceptional research record, especially in the last five years, within any field of STEM or Medicine.
They should have received national or international recognition for their work, such as fellowships in prestigious academies or significant S&T awards.
The nominee can be affiliated with an academic institution or R&D lab, or must have secured consent from a prospective host institution for their research activities.

Important Note: Nominees should not hold any administrative positions or receive any salary, honorarium, or fellowship from other organizations at the time of accepting the National Science Chair award.

Assessment Criteria

The National Science Chair Advisory Committee (NSCAC) determines the selection criteria, which generally include:

The nominee's outstanding research track record and international standing in their field.
The quality and originality of the proposed research plan.
The nominee's capacity to mentor young researchers and implement proactive strategies to advance S&T talent in India.

How To Apply

Nominations for the National Science Chair are accepted exclusively through the online portal of the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Interested individuals or nominating institutions should visit the official SERB online platform to submit their applications.

Official Application Portal: www.serbonline.in

Documents Required

To submit a nomination for the National Science Chair, the following documents are essential:

A detailed Research Proposal (up to five pages) covering Introduction, Objectives, Methodology, Budget, and Expected Outcomes. This is specifically for Mode-1 nominations.
An Endorsement Letter from the Head of the proposed Host Institute.
A Certificate from the Nominee.

FAQ’s

How can I apply for the National Science Chair (NSC) Award?

You can submit your nomination for the NSC Award only through the online system on the SERB website at www.serbonline.in.

What are the main requirements to be eligible for this fellowship?

To be eligible, you must be an active Indian scientist or academician with a strong research background in STEM or Medicine, particularly in the last five years. You should have received recognition from national/international bodies, like prestigious academy fellowships or S&T awards. You can be affiliated with an institution or need consent from a future host institution. Importantly, you should not be holding any administrative roles or receiving other honorariums/fellowships/salaries from elsewhere when the NSC award begins.

Can I apply for both Mode-I and Mode-II of the NSC scheme simultaneously if I meet all criteria?

No, you cannot apply for both Mode-I and Mode-II at the same time. If your nomination isn't selected in one call, you can re-apply for any other suitable program in future calls, provided you meet their specific eligibility requirements.

What specific documents do I need to submit with my nomination?

You'll need to provide a Research Proposal (for Mode-1 nominations only) detailing your Introduction, Objectives, Methodology, Budget, and expected outcomes (up to five pages). Additionally, you must include an Endorsement Letter from your Host Institute's head and a Certificate from yourself as the nominee.

I am an Indian national working as a Professor abroad for the last 5 years and am over 65. Am I eligible?

Yes, you can apply. However, you must resign from your position at the foreign institution and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from them before applying for the NSC Award.

What subjects or fields are covered by the NSC Award?

The award covers researchers working in all areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Medicine.

Who reviews the nominations for the NSC Award?

Your nomination will be reviewed by a dedicated National Science Chair Advisory Committee (NSCAC), which comprises eminent experts in S&T fields.

How is the final selection decision made?

The final decision is based on the recommendations of the National Science Chair Advisory Committee (NSCAC). SERB relies on the expert opinions of this selection committee.

Will I be informed if my nomination is successful?

Yes, you will typically be notified about the selection decision about four to six weeks after the selection committee meeting. We cannot provide individual status updates before this to ensure the process runs smoothly.

Is it possible to appeal if my nomination is not recommended?

Yes, you can appeal. However, the decision on any appeal will be made only after thorough discussion and deliberation in a subsequent NSCAC meeting.

Can I hold another fellowship while receiving the NSC Award?

No, you cannot receive any other fellowship simultaneously. You are permitted to seek additional research funds from other agencies, but not another fellowship or honorarium. If you wish to switch to another fellowship, you must first formally surrender your NSC award to SERB with all required documents like the final expenditure statement and completion report.

Can I postpone the award start date mentioned in the Sanction Order?

No, you cannot delay the implementation date once the sanction order for the award has been issued. Your joining date at the institution will be considered the official start date of your fellowship.

Is it okay to conduct my research at two different academic institutions concurrently?

It's best to have a single host institution for managing funds and accounts. However, you are welcome to collaborate with other institutes or organizations for your research.

Does my host institute get any extra funds to cover research stay expenses?

Generally, the host institute receives overheads of ₹1,00,000/- per annum. There are no provisions for additional funds beyond this for their expenses.

Are the grants received from the NSC Award subject to tax?

Yes, the grants received under the NSC Award are taxable as per the prevailing Income Tax rules in India.

When and how does an awardee officially start their NSC Award?

SERB will send an official letter to both the nominee and the host institute regarding the award. The nominee must join the chair within six months of the offer letter date and send an acceptance letter to the Host Institute, indicating their intended start date. The Institute will then forward this acceptance/joining letter, along with bank details for fund transfer, to SERB. SERB will process the file for approvals, and a Sanction Order will be issued to the Host Institute, mentioning the award start date as per the nominee's joining date.