Existing PMRF Students


Responsibilities of Students who are successful in getting a fellowship

  1. Please ensure that you are on the pmrf-students "read-only" mailing list and your supervisor is also on a corresponding supervisor email list. Write on Piazza if there is any problem.

  2. Please ensure that the current list of existing fellows, i.e. information sent to Ministry is valid, sound and complete.

  3. Please recall the commitments to (a) keep up good research and present in the annual review (b) Teaching commitments. These will be updated by individual Heads/Supervisors and so on.

  4. Questions will be answered only on Piazza. Do not send email.

Important Information

  • At the time of joining, each Fellow shall be given deliverables to be achieved each year. This will be decided by the assigned guide and the department which the fellow is joining.

  • There shall be an annual review of PMRF fellows. The candidates would continue to avail the fellowship in the next year only if their performance is found satisfactory by the review committee. The review will be a rigorous process, and can be done in the form of a national convention (for each discipline). The nodal institute for the discipline may form multiple expert panels to evaluate the progress of the PMRF fellows. Each such panel can have 3-4 members, with at most 2 members from the host institution.

  • Each fellow is expected to teach once a week in a neighborhood ITI/Polytechnic/Engineering College, as per modalities approved by the Government.

  • If the deliverables are not achieved, the fellowship could be brought down to the institutional fellowship level or even discontinued.

FAQ

Warning: The information mentioned here was current till May 2021. For the latest, please consult Piazza or pmrf.in

TEACHING REQUIREMENTS


1. Am I required to do TA duty if I had a TAship?

A. Yes, regardless of whether you had a TAship. Department guidelines may vary on the number of hours.


2. Am I required to contribute to an external college/university ?

A. Yes, and it should be related to your broad area.


3. Will a high school satisfy the "external" requirement?

A. No.


4. How about a private coaching class or, say Byju's or Aakash or Unacademy?

A. No.


5. What kind of teaching institution should it be?

A. A recognized government institution (unless the supervisor has close ties with an NIRF rated educational institution).


6. Will past work satisfy these requirements?

A. No.


7. Can I club my hours and say do x hours all in one day or one week?

A. Yes, but don't club for more than a semester.


8. Who will certify that I have completed the requirement?

A. Your report countersigned by the institution and your supervisor.


9. How many hours should I put in for the Teaching requirement?

A. No more than what your peers as TA do per department guide.




MISCELLANEOUS


1. How long will I get the fellowship?

A. At most 5 years since the joining date, regardless of when you applied. Also see this (draft) document. Also see this.


2. Will I get retroactive fellowship?

A. No.


3. Will my fellowship be stopped in the future?

A. Unlikely if you perform competently in the annual reviews being. Note also the requirement that you need to “teach” in a local college/polytechnic/institute once a week. (Your department will certify these as per their guidelines.)


4. What if I quit halfway?

A. Don’t please.


5. If my PMRF fellowship is stopped, will I get back my TAship?

A. No.


6. What portion of the fellowship amount of INR 70,000 per month is taxable?

A. You have to check with a Chartered Accountant or tax expert.


7. While filling the PMRF Application form, I didn't have a supervisor. So, I was suggested to fill the name of my Faculty Advisor (say, prof. A). Now, I have a supervisor (say, prof. B). How to change supervisor's name now?

A.

Periodically (usually once a semester), the PMRF office will send out information to update your status including guides. You are expected to be vigilant and provide the information. If you miss the deadline, then, you will be stuck with the old information (this is no similar to updating your mobile number, with, say, a bank). Until then, work with the old professor to help you out (there is a reason you chose the old professor, right?)