The applicant should hold Ph.D. degree in Science or Engineering or M.D or M.S degree in any area of medicine. Those who have submitted their PhD/M. D/M. S thesis and are awaiting award of the degree are also eligible to apply. Applicants should have an outstanding track record as evident from the quality of the research outputs and publications. The selection will be based on the recommendations of an Expert Committee.

The upper age limit for the fellowship is 35 years at the time of the submission of application. Age relaxation of 5 (five) years will be given to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Physically Challenged & Women candidates.

The Fellowship amount for NPDF is ₹55,000/- per month. For those who have submitted their Ph.D. degree, ₹35,000/- per month will be offered till they are awarded the eligible degree. The fellowship is taxable under the Income Tax rules of India. The fellowship is tenable only in India and can be implemented in any of the recognized academic institutions, national laboratories and other recognized R&D institutions. The host institution should provide necessary administrative and infrastructural support.

The fellowship is purely a temporary assignment, and is tenable initially for a period of 2 years. In exceptional cases, depending on the progress of research, the fellowship can be extended for one more year. There is no provision to extend the tenure beyond three years in any case.

The fellowship is generally not availed at the same institution where one has obtained or worked for the PhD/M.S./M.D degree. Also, the fellowship cannot be availed with the doctoral thesis supervisor or co-supervisor as a mentor. The fellows are not eligible to receive fellowship/salary from any other Government or Non-Governmental source during the tenure of the SERB National Post-Doctoral Fellowship.

National Post-Doctoral Fellow will be entitled to receive grants under the following budget heads. The fellows will be entitled to receive the grants given below: Fellowship (₹55,000/- per month (consolidated)) (₹35,000/ p.m. for candidates who have submitted the thesis but the degree has not yet been awarded) Research Grant (₹2,00,000/- per annum) Overheads (₹1,00,000/- per annum)

The applicant must first identify the host institution and a suitable Mentor in the host institution under which the proposed research objectives will be pursued. The call for applications for SERB- NPDF will be notified through the website www.serbonline.in and www.serb.gov.in Usually one month window will be provided to submit the application along with other documents. All applications should be submitted through the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in.

The Mentor should hold a regular academic or research position in the host institution. The fellowship cannot be availed with the doctoral thesis supervisor or co-supervisor as a mentor.

All applications should be submitted through the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in. Usually, a month window is provided to submit the application along with other documents. The following documents are mandatory. Research proposal (see www.serbonline.in for the correct format). Proof of Date of Birth (Class X certificate or Date of Birth Certificate). Proof of Caste (only for cases seeking age relaxation). Proof of Ph.D. Degree or proof of Ph.D. thesis submission certificate. Endorsement Certificate signed by Mentor and Head of the Host Institution (format can be downloaded from www.serbonline.in). Undertaking Certificate by the applicant (see online portal for its format). Reprints of your two best publications. CV of the Mentor (see online portal for its format). The applicants are advised to follow detailed instructions provided in the SERB online portal www.serbonline.in.

The selection process on an average takes at least two months from the last date of submission of the applications. All selected candidates shall receive an Email notification through the SERB online portal, who are then required to download the offer letter.

Flexibility is provided to the Fellow and the Mentor for utilising the Research Grant as per the needs of the research work. Generally, the Research grant can be used for purchasing minor equipment, consumables and contingencies. The grant can also be utilised for travel in India to attend workshops/conferences and other research-related activities. In this regard, the host institution's norms shall apply for TA/DA.

There is no provision for providing manpower under this scheme. The Fellow is expected to undertake research himself/herself during the entire duration of the fellowship.

The Fellows should upload annual Progress Report and financial statements at the end of each financial year. The release of the next instalment of the grant will be considered only after submission of (a) Proper Utilization Certificate and Statement of Expenditure, financial year wise and (b) Annual Progress Report through the SERB online portal.

Change of Mentor/Host Institution is generally discouraged and can be allowed only in exceptional cases. Change of Host Institution shall be undertaken only after obtaining due approval from SERB. The new host institute in any case should not be the institution from which the applicant has worked for his Ph.D. or obtained his Ph.D. degree. The transfer of the fellowship along with balance grant and the assets to the new institute is allowed, provided the administrative authority of both institutes agree in writing. NOC from the previous host institute and Endorsement Form from the new host Institute &new Mentor must be sent to SERB through the online portal.

If the one wishes to terminate the fellowship and leave the institute, he/she shall inform the SERB through the host institution immediately. The implementing institute should not incur any expenditure from the date of termination of the project or the date of resignation of fellow.

The NPDF is entitled to leave as per the norms of the host institution. Participation in scientific workshops held in India or abroad will be treated as on duty. Maternity leave, as per the Govt. of India instructions issued from time to time, would be available to female candidates in all categories.

SERB reserves the right to terminate the Fellowship at any stage if it is convinced that appropriate progress is not being made or the grant has not been utilized properly.

The fellows must seek the consent of SERB if he/she intends to be away from the implementing institute (except for field work related to the project) continuously for a period more than eight weeks.

The following documents should be sent to the SERB after the duration of the Fellowship is completed: Final Consolidated Statement of Expenditure (in duplicate), giving expenditure financial year wise (FY) from date of start till date of completion. Utilization Certificates (FY wise) for all FYs (in duplicate) matching with Statement of Expenditure figures in that FY. Project Completion Report (PCR) with list of publications, and patents filed. DD/ cheque for the unspent grant, drawn in favor of 'Fund for Science & Engineering Research' Mentor and PDF candidate are responsible for the timely submission of progress report, utilization certificate, project closure report (PCR), refund of unspent balance amount etc. at the end or early closure of the project.