( Here are some FAQ's that both the Direct and the Lateral student might find relevant. Please visit PMRF's official website to get more info on the current activities. )
Warning: The information here was current till the May 2021 round. Some points may have been deprecated.

FAQ

APPLICATION RELATED QUESTIONS

1. What is the Deadline?

A. In 2020, the deadline for the first round was July 15, 2020 (or thereabouts) for the lateral entry. For the second round of the 2020-21 academic session, the (internal) IITB deadline was around Feb 10. The application form will be activated a few days after the deadline, you should monitor Piazza for up-to-date information closer to the deadline.

2. When will the interviews for PMRF be held?

A. There were no interviews in the 2020 season.

3. How will the decisions be made?

A. First your department will shortlist applicants based on your dossier. Next, after you are nominated by the institute, a central committee (outside IITB) will look at your application dossier. The specification of the committee appears in the live form.

4. Ok, so what does the dossier contain?

A. This depends on the department but normally, it would include a subset of these: demographic data, academic CPI within IITB, date of joining the PhD Program, PhD supervisor, and the following documents in PDF format

• one page CV (chronologically list all activities in the last 5 years)

• statement of purpose (or equivalently a research proposal)

• research experience or internship experience (or both)

• list of publications in canonical format (peer reviewed journals followed by peer reviewed conference followed by non-peer reviewed manuscripts/arxiv.org publications and similar). This document should “hyperref” to a clickable source on the Internet.

• A declaration that all statements are true to the best of the knowledge of the candidate

• Strong letter of recommendation from the supervisor

5. Hmmn. Er. I just joined, I don’t have some (all) of these

A. Never mind, others are in a similar boat. Do what you can.

6. What is the format of the documents such as “research proposal”?

A. It depends on the department, guide and you. December 2019 edition had some information that has clues, but we really don’t know at this stage. Not to worry: right now submit what it takes to get shortlisted, and shortlisted candidates will be given an opportunity (if necessary) to modify the dossier.

7. I don’t have a supervisor yet. What to do?

A. You really should get a supervisor soon! Till then your faculty advisor or Head of department can give a recommendation.

8. The supervisor/Head/faculty member does not want to submit the recommendation letter to me. What to do?

A. In this case submissions from the supervisor can be made at a different link. However, you must submit your reference identity string that you would have created in the live form, so do that first.

9. I am a PhD. student and my department's website has no information regarding the application procedures for this scheme. How should I apply for this and submit the documents?

A. Heads of departments have been informed of the application process. So watch out for emails.

10. Sir, department will float any form to apply .. or any central form will be there?

A. {de[recated} Every department will have its process but yes, there is a central form.

ELIGIBILITY RELATED QUESTIONS

1. Sir, I am a DD/Master student. Am I eligible for PMRF?

A. Master’s student should apply to the PhD programme and apply under the direct entry if eligible.

2. Are there any disciplines excluded?

A. The scheme is meant for areas in science and technology.

3. Sir, can we apply using both the direct and lateral entry?

A. Not at the same time (but yes, one after the other in some cases)

DECISION

1. Reservation quotas?

A. None

2. Is there an upper seat limit per department/ institute for PMRF?

A. Yes (per institute), but just assume you will not be impacted by this.

3. What is the weightage of prior publications?

A. There is no pre-declared weightage.

4. Who will make the final decision?

A. A sub-committee made up of experts in each discipline as per the table mentioned elsewhere on this webpage.

MISCELLANEOUS

1. If there are different eligibility requirements across the institutes, and the PMRF body which one will apply?

A. The stricter version of (IITB, Published Norms) are to be taken

2. I am a first year phd student joined in December 2019. Does PMRF scheme will cover internships in foreign countries?

A. This will be handled on a case to case basis.

3. I want to ask that if there is/are any bonds regarding to any of the following scenarios: If required to Change the Research topic. If required to quit PhD in between (in case if it happens to someone).

A. No to the first. Regarding the second, probably not.

4. I am not a citizen of India. Can I apply for PMRF?

A. No (sorry), but check out asean