The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, is offering research fellowship opportunities under the AYUSH PhD Fellowship Scheme 2026.
The Ministry of AYUSH oversees five autonomous Research Councils dedicated to scientific research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
These councils conduct research through a network of 97 institutes across India.
The objective is to support doctoral scholars working in traditional medicine and allied life sciences.
Selected candidates will receive a monthly fellowship of ₹37,000 to ₹42,000, along with House Rent Allowance (HRA), an annual contingency grant of ₹20,000, and a one-time research grant of ₹1,00,000.
The fellowship is available for a maximum duration of five years.
The last date to apply online is 9 December 2026.
AYUSH PhD Fellowship Scheme 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | AYUSH PhD Fellowship Scheme |
| Organization | Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India |
| Fellowship Type | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) |
| Number of Fellowships | 20 per year |
| JRF Fellowship | ₹37,000 per month + HRA |
| SRF Fellowship | ₹42,000 per month + HRA |
| Annual Contingency Grant | ₹20,000 |
| One-Time Research Grant | ₹1,00,000 |
| Maximum Duration | 5 years |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Last Date | 9 December 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in applying for the AYUSH PhD Fellowship Scheme 2026 must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must possess a postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline with at least 55% marks.
- Candidates must have qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET).
- Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD programme at a recognized university or research institution.
- Candidates must be pursuing research related to AYUSH disciplines or allied life sciences.
- The prescribed upper age limits are 28 years for JRF and 32 years for SRF. Relaxation of up to five years is available for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD and women candidates.
Priority Research Areas
The AYUSH PhD Fellowship Scheme encourages research in the following areas:
1. Clinical Research
Research involving clinical trials, therapeutic validation, drug development, and evidence-based evaluation of AYUSH treatments.
2. Medicinal Plants
Studies related to pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, medicinal plant conservation, and the identification of bioactive compounds.
3. Fundamental Research
Research on the basic principles, theoretical foundations, conceptual frameworks, and traditional literature of AYUSH systems.
4. Interdisciplinary Research
Research integrating AYUSH disciplines with modern life sciences, biotechnology, pharmacology, and related scientific fields.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration and Proposal Submission | 9 October 2025 – 9 December 2026 |
| Screening and Review | December 2026 – January 2027 (tentative) |
| Presentation and Interview | February 2027 (tentative) |
| Final Result Announcement | March 2027 (tentative) |
| Last Date for Online Application | 9 December 2026 |
How to Apply for AYUSH PhD Fellowship Scheme 2026
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official AYUSH PhD Fellowship portal.
Step 1: Visit the official website at https://phd.ccras.org.in/.
Step 2: Complete the online registration process.
Step 3: Fill in the required personal, educational, and research-related information.
Step 4: Submit the research proposal and upload the required documents.
Official Website: https://phd.ccras.org.in/