24-35% hike in scholars’ fellowship stipends

Science & Tech Researchers To Get Raise From Jan 1

The government on Wednesday announced a 24-35% hike in fellowship stipend for research scholars in science and technology with effect from January 1 this year, a move that will directly benefit 60,000 researchers. As per the office memorandum issued by the ministry of science and technology, a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) will now get Rs 31,000 per month as against the earlier Rs 25,000 while fellowship for Senior Research Fellow (SRF) has been hiked from Rs 28,000 to Rs 35,000. A total of 1.25 lakh researchers are likely to benefit. “PhD scholars working in science and technology are the most significant contributors to the knowledge base of the country for its industrial competitiveness, academic vibrancy and technology led innovations. With effect from January 1, 2019, central government has enhanced the fellowship of PhD students and other research personnel enrolled in any area of science and technology, including physical and chemical sciences, engineering, mathematical sciences, agricultural sciences, life sciences, pharmacy, among others,” the government said. JRF and SRF are taken as baseline reference for hike in emoluments for researchers and compared to last four hikes this has been the lowest. Scholars are unhappy at the “low hike”. The revised emoluments has been increased by Rs 6,000 per month for JRF and Rs 7,000 per month for SRF. In 2006, the JRFs were hiked by 60%, followed by 50% in 2007. In 2010, the hike was around 33% and it was 56% in 2014.

Source: Times of India, 31/01/2019