Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0- Special Projects 2026

This scheme offers fellowships to students and researchers for advanced studies and research in renewable energy, aligning Read More... with national priorities and industry needs. Read less

Details

Looking to build a career or conduct cutting-edge research in renewable energy? The Indian government, through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has launched a fellowship scheme to support your academic and research aspirations.

What Is This Scheme?

The National Renewable Energy Fellowship Scheme, initiated in 2021, is designed to boost education and research in the exciting field of renewable energy. It provides financial assistance in the form of fellowships to bright students and dedicated researchers pursuing advanced degrees like M.Tech, M.Sc., PhD, and post-doctoral research. The goal is to foster innovation and develop skilled professionals for the growing renewable energy sector.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is for aspiring students and researchers who are keen on making a mark in renewable energy. This includes those undertaking M.Sc., M.Tech, or PhD courses in renewable energy technologies, as well as post-doctoral fellows or research associates working on advanced research in the field.

Why This Scheme Is Important

With India's strong focus on clean energy, this scheme plays a crucial role in building a talented workforce. It supports advanced and industry-relevant research, driving innovation and commercialization in renewable energy technologies. The scheme is backed by a substantial budget and aims to award hundreds of fellowships over five years, ensuring a pipeline of experts to meet the nation's green energy goals.

Objective

This scheme offers fellowships to students and researchers for advanced studies and research in renewable energy, aligning with national priorities and industry needs.

Benefits

Counselling

Online Information / Counselling Platform
Through Counselling Helpline
Through District-level skill information centre

Training

Digital Content
Training in Soft Skills, Entrepreneurship, Financial and Digital Literacy
Additional Support

Accidental Insurance
One-time incentive to all certified candidates
Boarding and lodging cost support
Conveyance cost
Post Placement Stipend
Additional support to PwD candidates
Induction kit and participant handbook
Yearly incentive to Training Provider
One-time placement travel cost
Career progression support
Special Incentive for foreign placements
Post Placement Tracking Allowance

Placement

Post Training Support

The scheme will be compatible with the international standards by provisioning add-on bridge courses and language course

Additional services such as conveyance, boarding & lodging and transportation may be extended by the PMKVY 3.0 Executive Committee/State Empowered Committee for a project beyond the criteria laid down under the guidelines of Short-Term Training (STT) of PMKVY 3.0The scheme will be compatible with the international standards by provisioning add-on bridge courses and language courses.Note:It is mandatory for the candidates to have an Aadhaar ID during the enrolment process. It is also mandatory for the students to maintain 70% attendance to be eligible to appear in the assessments

Sources and references

Scheme Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

For Applicants:

You must be pursuing higher studies (M.Sc, M.Tech, PhD) in renewable energy technologies OR be a Research Associate or Post-doctoral Fellow conducting advanced research in MNRE institutions or other recognized key institutions.
Fellowships are exclusively for courses and research directly related to renewable energy.
Admission to M.Tech/PhD programs must be through valid GATE, CSIR, AICTE, or NET scores.
M.Sc fellowships are only for students with NET qualification pursuing an M.Sc in renewable energy.

Note 1: For JRF/SRF/RA/PDF eligibility, the Ministry will follow the norms set by CSIR, DST, or UGC.

Note 2: For M.Tech, AICTE guidelines will be followed, and for M.Sc in renewable energy, Department of Biotechnology norms will apply.

For Institutes:

Institutes must be ranked among the Top 100 under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
They must have faculty with expertise in renewable energy and adequate infrastructure for RE education and research.
The scheme is open to Universities, Technical Institutions, and national laboratories that can conduct research in identified renewable energy thrust areas.
Institutes offering M.Tech or Integrated M.Sc courses in energy studies or renewable energy with a specialization in any branch of renewable energy are eligible.

How To Apply

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) publishes annual advertisements inviting applications from eligible universities and institutions.
Interested institutes and universities should respond to these advertisements to apply for fellowship slots for higher education and research in identified renewable energy thrust areas.
The selection of institutes is carried out by a dedicated committee.

Official Communication: Keep an eye on the official MNRE website and publications for announcements regarding application periods and procedures.

Documents Required

Passport-sized photograph
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Proof of Indian Citizenship
Aadhaar Card
Academic Transcripts for all Undergraduate and Postgraduate Degrees
Research Proposal (if applicable)
Two Letters of Recommendation

Depending on your category and background, you might also need:

SC/ST/OBC Certificate (if applicable)
Certificate for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) (if applicable)
Income Certificate (if applicable)

FAQ’s

When does the fellowship payment start?

Fellowship payments begin from the candidate's Date of Joining. These payments are made monthly, contingent on the host institution providing attendance and continuation reports.

How are the fellowship amounts decided for M.Tech and M.Sc students compared to JRF, SRF, and RA/PDF?

The funding provided for M.Tech and M.Sc candidates is generally lower than for JRF, SRF, and RA/PDF. This reflects the scheme's emphasis on promoting in-depth and advanced research through the latter categories.

What is the role of the Scientist-in-charge, HRD in the institute selection process?

The Scientist-in-charge, HRD serves as the convenor for the selection committee. They play a key role in coordinating the committee's activities and ensuring the selection process runs smoothly.

Are there any special provisions for research in new and advanced renewable energy technologies?

Absolutely. The scheme specifically aims to support research in cutting-edge technology areas within renewable energy, aligning with the strategic research priorities identified by the MNRE.

Why can the number of fellowships for different categories change?

The number of fellowships allocated to each category (M.Tech, M.Sc, JRF, SRF, RA) can be adjusted. This flexibility allows the ministry to respond to the quality of research proposals received and the current demand from the industry.

How does the scheme ensure that institutions selected have the right expertise?

Institutions are evaluated based on their ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). The presence of qualified faculty and suitable infrastructure for research and education in renewable energy areas is also a key factor in their selection.

What is the importance of research not being generic in this fellowship?

The fellowship is focused on frontier-edge research and technology development. This means the research undertaken should be at the most advanced level, pushing boundaries, rather than focusing on common or standard practices.

Can fellowships awarded from 2022-23 onwards continue after the scheme's official period ends?

Yes, fellowships awarded from 2022-23 onwards may extend beyond the scheme's defined period, provided the duration of the fellowship itself extends beyond the scheme's end date. This ensures students can complete their research without interruption.

What method is used to send the fellowship money to recipients?

The fellowship amounts are disbursed monthly. This is done directly into the beneficiary's bank account using the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, ensuring transparency and efficiency.

How are institutes selected to offer these fellowships?

A selection committee, comprised of eminent scientists, professors, and experts from reputed academic institutions, along with officials from DG, NISE, NIWE, NIBE, and the HRD Group Head, evaluates and selects the institutes.

How does the scheme ensure fairness in selecting institutes and candidates?

The selection process involves committees made up of distinguished scientists, academics, and industry professionals. This diverse composition helps ensure that the selection of both institutes and candidates is transparent and unbiased.

How can institutes and universities apply for these fellowship opportunities?

MNRE announces opportunities through annual advertisements. Universities and institutes interested in hosting fellows for higher education and research in renewable energy thrust areas are invited to apply through these announcements.