CSIR Direct SRF 2026: Applications Invited For Senior Research Fellowships; Selected Candidates To Get Rs 42,000 Monthly Stipend

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has opened applications for its Direct Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) 2026 programme. The fellowship targets young researchers who wish to engage in full-time research under the supervision of faculty or scientists at prestigious universities, laboratories, and research institutions. The announcement of the fellowship was made on August 14, 2026, by the HRD Group of CSIR under Advertisement No. 2026/DirectSRF/1.

Shortlisted candidates for the CSIR Direct SRF 2026 will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 42,000, along with a contingency grant of up to Rs 20,000 per year. The fellowship will initially be granted for a maximum of two years, with the possibility of an additional year extension after a review of the candidate's research progress by a committee.

The fellowship will conclude upon completion of the allotted tenure or the date of the PhD viva-voce, whichever comes first. Candidates who have already received similar fellowships from other agencies, such as DST, DBT, ICMR, UGC, or ICAR, can also apply, provided their cumulative fellowship tenure does not exceed three years.

To be eligible for the CSIR SRF 2026, applicants must meet specific academic qualifications and research experience criteria. These include holding an M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech. or equivalent degree with at least 55% marks, one publication in a SCI-indexed journal, and two years of post-degree research experience for M.Sc./B.E./B.Tech. candidates. Other academic combinations and their respective requirements are also provided in the official notification.

The selection process involves shortlisting based on academic records, research experience, research publications, and proposed research work. Shortlisted candidates will then undergo an interview before discipline-wise expert committees. Meeting the minimum eligibility criteria does not guarantee an interview call. Candidates must have all original certificates and supporting documents, such as research experience records, PhD registration proofs, and publication records, readily available for submission during the selection process.