The Department of Higher Education (DoHE) under the Ministry of Education (MoE) launched the Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026 to integrate accomplished Indian-origin researchers, scientists, and technologists working abroad into India’s research ecosystem. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between global scientific expertise and domestic institutions to accelerate innovation in strategic technology sectors. By creating structured pathways for collaborative research, the scheme aims to strengthen India’s position as a global hub for technological advancement.
Background and Objectives: Reversing Brain Drain
India has historically faced a significant outflow of high-skilled talent, particularly in sciences, engineering, and technology. To address this loss and convert it into a developmental opportunity, the government has introduced the PMRC Scheme 2026. This initiative is designed to offer a flexible, prestigious, and well-funded platform that encourages Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), Persons of Indian Origin (PIO), and Indian nationals working abroad to collaborate with domestic institutions.
Unlike traditional fellowship models that require long-term relocation, the PMRC Scheme provides engagement pathways that respect the existing professional commitments of international researchers. By facilitating knowledge transfer, collaborative research, and institutional mentorship, the programme aims to elevate the standard of scientific research in India. This effort is expected to foster local research capability, generate high-quality publications, and lead to patents in crucial science and technology sectors.
Three Pillars of the PMRC Ecosystem
The Prime Minister Research Chair Scheme is structured around three foundational pillars that ensure high academic standards, operational clarity, and target-driven research.
Lead Institutions: Strategic Guiding Bodies
The Ministry of Education has designated seven premier institutions to serve as Lead Institutions. These institutions include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and IISc Bengaluru.
Each Lead Institution is responsible for specific thematic areas. They evaluate the readiness, infrastructure, and suitability of prospective Host Institutions. By acting as quality controllers, these seven bodies ensure that research projects align with national technological priorities and maintain high academic standards.
Host Institutions: Infrastructure Providers
Host Institutions are the physical venues where selected fellows conduct their research. The scheme limits eligibility to top-tier government Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and national laboratories. Eligible HEIs must rank in the Top 100 overall or engineering categories, or the Top 50 research category in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
Additionally, national research laboratories operating under agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) can participate. Host Institutions must provide state-of-the-art laboratory access, administrative support, and an environment conducive to high-impact research.
PMRC Fellows: Three Tiers of Expertise
The scheme recruits global talent across three distinct categories based on post-doctoral experience:
- Young Research Fellows: Early-career researchers who completed their PhD within the last five years outside India. They must demonstrate strong potential to lead independent, innovative projects.
- Senior Research Fellows: Mid-career researchers and industry professionals with five to ten years of post-PhD experience outside India, possessing deep technical expertise.
- Research Chairs: Internationally recognized academic leaders, laboratory heads, and technology pioneers with more than ten years of experience, capable of driving major scientific breakthroughs.
13 Priority Sectors for National Growth
The PMRC Scheme targets research in areas of strategic significance for India. By aligning global research efforts with local requirements, the initiative aims to solve pressing domestic challenges and accelerate industrial capabilities.
The Ministry of Education has identified 13 priority sectors for the PMRC fellows to focus on. These sectors cover a broad spectrum of scientific and industrial domains:
| S.No. | Priority Sector | Primary Research Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Advanced Computing | Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and supercomputing systems |
| 2 | Semiconductors | Design, fabrication, and packaging technologies for microelectronics |
| 3 | Next-Gen Communications | Development of 5G, 6G, satellite communication, and optical networking |
| 4 | Cybersecurity | Protection of critical information infrastructure and secure coding systems |
| 5 | Biotechnology | Synthetic biology, bioinformatics, and genetic research for agriculture and health |
| 6 | Healthcare and MedTech | Medical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health tools |
| 7 | Space and Defence | Rocketry, satellite systems, defense equipment, and aerospace engineering |
| 8 | Atomic Energy | Nuclear safety, fusion energy research, and radiation technology applications |
| 9 | Advanced Materials | Nanotechnology, critical minerals, smart alloys, and composite materials |
| 10 | Energy and Sustainability | Renewable energy, battery storage, green hydrogen, and climate mitigation |
| 11 | Agri and Food Technologies | Climate-resilient crops, precision farming, and food processing solutions |
| 12 | Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 | Robotics, industrial automation, 3D printing, and smart factory setups |
| 13 | Blue Economy | Deep-sea exploration, marine biotechnology, and sustainable coastal resource management |
Governance under the Empowered Committee
The selection of participating institutions and PMRC fellows is monitored by an Empowered Committee chaired by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India. Professor Sood is a distinguished physicist and former professor at the IISc Bengaluru. The Office of the PSA, which was established in 1999, provides strategic scientific advice to the cabinet and prime minister.
The Empowered Committee acts as the apex governing body for the PMRC Scheme. It coordinates with the Ministry of Education and Lead Institutions to approve research proposals, define funding disbursements, and assess annual progress reports. The committee ensures that administrative processes are streamlined to allow research fellows to focus on scientific outcomes with minimal bureaucratic delays.
For the initial cycle, the application portal at pmrc.education.gov.in opened on June 1, 2026, and will accept proposals until July 15, 2026. Selected fellows will receive research grants and allowances to support their work over a five-year engagement period, running from the financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Key Takeaways
- The Prime Minister Research Chair (PMRC) Scheme 2026 was launched by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education to integrate global Indian-origin scientific talent into India’s research ecosystem.
- The scheme identifies 13 priority sectors for mission-oriented research, including advanced computing, semiconductors, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and space and defence.
- The ecosystem operates on three pillars consisting of Lead Institutions, Host Institutions, and PMRC Fellows categorized into young, senior, and chair levels.
- The Ministry of Education designated seven premier institutions as Lead Institutions, which include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and IISc Bengaluru.
- Selection and monitoring are overseen by an Empowered Committee chaired by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India.
- The application process for the initial cycle is open from June 1, 2026, to July 15, 2026, through the official portal at pmrc.education.gov.in.
