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GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.

Context: The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education has launched applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026 to attract accomplished Indian-origin researchers and professionals from across the world to India's research and innovation ecosystem.

More on the News

• Applications from both PMRC Fellows and Host Institutions opened on 1 June 2026 through the dedicated PMRC Portal.
• Participating institutions and fellows will be selected through a rigorous process overseen by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
• The scheme seeks to connect global Indian talent with India's rapidly expanding research, development, innovation, and technology ecosystem across priority sectors of national importance.

About the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme

• The Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme was launched in 2026 by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Objective: The scheme aims to attract and engage distinguished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, technologists, and professionals from globally reputed universities, laboratories, research institutions, and industries.
• It seeks to connect them with premier government Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), national laboratories, and research centres across India.
• Vision: To attract and engage global Indian-origin talent for research, innovation, teaching, and mentorship, and to establish India as a global leader in frontier knowledge creation and scientific excellence.
• The scheme is anchored on three core pillars: Lead Institutions, Host Institutions, and PMRC Fellows. These pillars are intended to ensure mission-aligned, nationally relevant, and impact-oriented research.
• Categories of Fellows:
  • Young Research Fellows (YRF): Early-career researchers with 0 to less than 5 years of post-PhD experience.
  • Senior Fellows (SF): Mid-career researchers with 5 to less than 10 years of post-PhD experience.
  • Research Chairs (RC): Eminent researchers with 10 years or more of post-PhD experience and demonstrated research leadership.
• Eligibility of Fellows: Eligible applicants include Indian Nationals working abroad, Overseas Citizen of India (OCIs) cardholders, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with outstanding achievements in research, innovation, and technology.
• Benefits to Fellows: Selected fellows will receive fellowship and research grant support, access to laboratories and research infrastructure, and opportunities to work with leading government institutions in India.
• Eligible Host Institutions include:
  • Government Higher Educational Institutions ranked among the Top 100 in NIRF 2025 Overall or Engineering categories, or Top 50 in the NIRF 2025 Research category.
  • National laboratories and research institutions under agencies such as DST, DBT, ICMR, and CSIR, among others.
• Seven premier institutions have been identified as Lead Institutions:
  • Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
  • Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
  • Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad
  • Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad
  • Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

Significance

• Leveraging Global Talent and Strengthening Research Capacity: The scheme integrates distinguished Indian-origin researchers into India's R&D ecosystem, enhances research quality and institutional capacity, and strengthens India's position in global research and innovation.
• Promoting International Collaboration: Host Institutions will benefit through international academic collaborations, engagement with globally accomplished researchers and professionals, and expanded research and innovation activities in priority sectors.
• Supporting Innovation and Technology Development: The scheme will accelerate research and innovation in strategic and emerging domains aligned with India's science, technology, and innovation priorities.
• Mentorship and Knowledge Transfer: The scheme will provide mentorship in niche areas and promote research, teaching, and mentorship through long-term and structured engagements.
• Contribution to National Development: The initiative is intended to strengthen India's research capabilities, promote innovation-led growth, and contribute to the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

Sources:
DD News
News On Air
PIB
PMRC Education