Complete procedure for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) opportunities

Junior Research fellowships are awarded by CSIR and UGC every year. In addition to that, some universities will University research fellowships also. The above-mentioned two organisations will be sanctioning some projects to the faculty in various Indian universities. These schemes will provide for some JRFs to assist the principal investigator of the Project.

1. For all the above fellowships the candidate should get qualified for the NET examination.
2. The Candidate should be an Indian National only.
3. BE/B. Tech/B. Pharma/MBBS/ Integrated BS-MS/M.Sc. or Equivalent degree/BSc (Hons) or equivalent degree holders or students enrolled in integrated MS-Ph.D program with at least 55% marks for General & OBC (50% for SC/ST candidates, Physically and Visually handicapped candidates) are eligible for applying for the fellowship But before applying they should have to qualify ing the National Eligibility Test ( NET) conducted by CSIR twice a year June and December.
Bachelor's degrees in Science, engineering or any other discipline, are only eligible for fellowship only after getting registered/enrolled for the Ph.D/integrated PhD programme within the validity period of two years.
4. The upper age limit is 28 years. 5 years of relaxation to reserved categories will be considered.
5. The candidates who cleared their NET to have forward the following details to CSIR/ UGC
1. Qualifying degree examination
2. Proposed place of research work
3. Research topic
4. The name of the supervisor
5. The concurrence of the Institution to provide all the necessary facilities.
The validity of the NET qualification is for two years and the candidate should apply to sanction of fellowship within that two years with all the above details.

The stipend of a JRF swill is Rs 25,000/ p.m for the first two years. After two years the candidate may get SRF based on the work carried out in the first two years. In addition, an annual contingent grant of Rs. 20,000/- per fellow will be provided to the University / Institution

JRF means Junior Research Fellowship is a fellowship (Rs. 25000/Month + HRA) offered by both CSIR & UGC to eligible and selected candidates through written exams held twice a year as their stipend for doctoral studies or for their assistance in various projects. Junior Research Fellow is a letter awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to the candidates who qualify in the National Eligibility Test and secure marks equal to/higher than the set cut off for JRF in the particular subject in which the candidate has taken the UGC NET Exam. JRF letter is a bearer document you can avail of the scholarship while pursuing an M.Phil./Ph.D.l. For applying for the NET and CSIR eligibility test, the candidate must have completed a Master's Degree on their specific subject and need to score a minimum of 55% in master's degree. There is an age limitation for JRF. The candidate must be under 31 years and 5 years of age relaxation for SC/ST or physically disabled persons including female candidatures.

JRF scheme covers all candidates who have qualified NET test and UGC - CSIR joint test. The purpose is to provide the aspirants to pursue research and advanced studies leading to M.Phil / Ph. D degree ultimately.
Eligibility criteria- In respect of general candidates, a minimum 55 % marks is required in their post graduation degree but for the aspirants within the categories of OBC, ST/ SC, PWD or other transgender categories need at leat 50% scores in their masters degree so that they can apply for NET.
Candidates will be considered for JRF and Assistant Professorship once they pass out their master's degree within the two years of publication of NET result.
Age - limit
For the general Candidates, the maximum age - limit is 28 years but for the other categories 5 years age - relaxation is extendable to the candidates falling in the categories of SC/ST, OBC, PWD, Women and Transgender.
A relaxation of five year in relation to age is also permitted to the fellows having acquired five years research experience and the same privilege is applicable to Armed Force Candidates.
NET/ JRF Application Process -
1) The aspirants need to visit the officials of NTA.
2) They need to click UGC NET for processing their applications.
3) The applications are to be submitted through online.
4) They should be acquainted with all the relevant informations needed to complete online formalities.
5) Application Number is to be noted down for the future reference.
Examination mode -
For UGC NET - JRF, it consists of two papers- paper 1 and paper - 2.
Paper 1 -
1) Paper 1 is of 100 marks with the duration of one hour.
2) There will be 50 objective type questions.
3) The paper will cover research and aptitude assessment of the candidates.
4) This test will deal in General Awareness, Comprehension and reasoning abilities questions and critical thinking of the candidates.
Paper -2
1) There will be a total of 200 marks for this paper.
2) It will contain 100 objective type questions.
3) Paper 2 is a subject oriented test which the applicant has chosen for being selected.

JRF scheme covers all candidates who have qualified NET test and UGC - CSIR joint test. The purpose is to provide the aspirants to pursue research and advanced studies leading to M.Phil / Ph. D degree ultimately.
Eligibility criteria- In respect of general candidates, a minimum 55 % marks is required in their post graduation degree but for the aspirants within the categories of OBC, ST/ SC, PWD or other transgender categories need at leat 50% scores in their masters degree so that they can apply for NET.
Candidates will be considered for JRF and Assistant Professorship once they pass out their master's degree within the two years of publication of NET result.
Age - limit
For the general Candidates, the maximum age - limit is 28 years but for the other categories 5 years age - relaxation is extendable to the candidates falling in the categories of SC/ST, OBC, PWD, Women and Transgender.
A relaxation of five year in relation to age is also permitted to the fellows having acquired five years research experience and the same privilege is applicable to Armed Force Candidates.
NET/ JRF Application Process -
1) The aspirants need to visit the officials of NTA.
2) They need to click UGC NET for processing their applications.
3) The applications are to be submitted through online.
4) They should be acquainted with all the relevant informations needed to complete online formalities.
5) Application Number is to be noted down for the future reference.
Examination mode -
For UGC NET - JRF, it consists of two papers- paper 1 and paper - 2.
Paper 1 -
1) Paper 1 is of 100 marks with the duration of one hour.
2) There will be 50 objective type questions.
3) The paper will cover research and aptitude assessment of the candidates.
4) This test will deal in General Awareness, Comprehension and reasoning abilities questions and critical thinking of the candidates.
Paper -2
1) There will be a total of 200 marks for this paper.
2) It will contain 100 objective type questions.
3) Paper 2 is a subject oriented test which the applicant has chosen for being selected.