Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026

The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, has invited applications for the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026, a flagship initiative aimed at attracting accomplished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, technologists, and professionals working abroad to contribute to India's research and innovation ecosystem.

Summary: 

The Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme seeks to connect global Indian talent with India's rapidly expanding research, development, innovation, and technology ecosystem. The scheme will facilitate collaboration between distinguished Indian-origin experts abroad and premier Indian higher educational institutions, national laboratories, and research centres across priority sectors critical to India's future development.

PMRC Fellows will receive:

Fellowship support

Research grants

Access to advanced laboratories and research infrastructure

Academic leadership opportunities.

Selection of institutions and fellows will be overseen by an Empowered Committee through a rigorous evaluation process.

Categories under PMRC Scheme

The scheme offers positions under three categories:

Young Research Fellows (YRF) – Less than 5 years of post-PhD experience.

Senior Fellows (SF) – 5 to less than 10 years of post-PhD experience.

Research Chairs (RC) – 10 years or more of post-PhD experience with proven research leadership.

Priority Research Areas

The PMRC Scheme focuses on 13 thematic areas of national priority:

Advanced Computing (AI, Quantum Computing & Supercomputing)

Semiconductors

Energy, Sustainability & Climate Change

Cybersecurity

Healthcare & MedTech

Biotechnology

Advanced Materials & Critical Minerals:

Space & Defence

Next-Generation Communications

Manufacturing & Industry 4.0

Agri & Food Technologies

Blue Economy

Atomic Energy

Lead Institutions under PMRC

Seven premier institutions have been identified as Lead Institutions:

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad

Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad

Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

Additional Key Facts:

Ministry of Education

Formerly known as the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

Renamed as the Ministry of Education in 2020.

Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan

Deputy Ministers: Sukanta Majumdar, Jayant Chaudhary

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)

Launched by the Ministry of Education in 2015.

Ranks higher educational institutions in India.

Top-ranked institutions under NIRF are eligible to participate as host institutions under PMRC.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Established under the ANRF Act, 2023.

Aims to strengthen research and innovation across universities, colleges, research institutions, and industries.

Supports India's goal of becoming a global knowledge and innovation hub.

Brain Gain Initiative

PMRC is part of India's broader effort to reverse Brain Drain and encourage Brain Gain.

It seeks to bring global expertise back to India for cutting-edge research and technological advancement.