The Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education has launched applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026, a flagship initiative aimed at bringing accomplished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, technologists and professionals from around the world into India’s research and innovation ecosystem.
The scheme seeks to connect global Indian talent with premier government higher education institutions, national laboratories and research centres across the country, supporting research and technological advancement in areas of national importance.
The PMRC Scheme will focus on 13 priority sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, energy and climate change, cybersecurity, healthcare and medical technology, biotechnology, advanced materials, space and defence, next-generation communications, manufacturing, agriculture and food technologies, blue economy, and atomic energy.
According to the Ministry of Education, the initiative is structured around three key pillars—Lead Institutions, Host Institutions and PMRC Fellows—to ensure research projects are aligned with national priorities and deliver measurable outcomes.
Selection of participating institutions and fellows will be carried out through a rigorous process overseen by an Empowered Committee chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
Under the scheme, selected fellows will receive fellowship and research grant support, access to advanced laboratories and research infrastructure, and opportunities to collaborate with leading government institutions in India.
The programme offers three categories of engagement: Young Research Fellows for early-career researchers, Senior Research Fellows for experienced professionals, and Research Chairs for globally recognised research leaders.
Eligible applicants include Indian nationals working abroad, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, and Persons of Indian Origin with distinguished achievements in research, innovation and technology.
The scheme is also expected to strengthen international academic partnerships and enhance research capacity within Indian institutions through collaboration with globally accomplished experts.
Host institutions eligible to participate include government higher educational institutions ranked among the top 100 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Overall or Engineering categories, or among the top 50 in the NIRF Research category. Leading national laboratories and research institutions under organisations such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are also eligible.
To facilitate implementation across various thematic areas, seven premier institutions have been designated as Lead Institutions. These include the 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, and the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru.
Applications from both fellows and host institutions opened on June 1 through the dedicated PMRC portal.
The government said the initiative is intended to strengthen India’s research capabilities, promote innovation-led growth and contribute to the vision of an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.
