IIIT Delhi Sets New Standard with ₹60,000 PhD Fellowship – A Boon for Aspiring Researchers

Introduction
The Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT-Delhi) has long been revered as a rising star in India’s academic landscape. Established in 2008, IIIT-Delhi has earned an excellent reputation—both in India and abroad—for being a center of quality education and cutting-edge research in information technology and interdisciplinary areas. Guided by a vision to be a global hub of innovation, the institute boasts a strong research culture and internationally accomplished faculty. Now, in a bold move to further its commitment to research excellence, IIIT-Delhi has announced a significant hike in its PhD fellowship stipend—raising it to an unprecedented ₹60,000 per month. This landmark decision not only underscores IIIT-Delhi’s dedication to supporting its scholars but also sets a new benchmark for doctoral funding in India.

A Record-Setting Fellowship Hike to ₹60,000

In March 2025, IIIT-Delhi revealed that it increased its PhD fellowship from ₹37,000 to ₹60,000 per month—a substantial jump aimed at attracting top-tier research talent and strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem. This 60% raise positions IIIT-Delhi’s PhD stipend as one of the highest in the country. The institute’s director emphasized that this move aligns with IIIT-Delhi’s vision of advancing high-impact research and making academia a more viable career option for young talent. By offering financial support on par with (and even beyond) industry entry-level salaries, IIIT-Delhi hopes to empower scholars to pursue ambitious research without hesitation.

Generous Benefits Beyond the Stipend

The enhanced fellowship package at IIIT-Delhi goes far beyond a simple monthly stipend. PhD scholars will also enjoy a host of additional support measures to facilitate their research:

• Annual Research Grant: A research contingency fund for consumables, software, or minor equipment.
• One-Time Laptop Grant: A one-time allowance to purchase a high-performance laptop or computing device.
• Conference Funding (PDA): A Professional Development Allowance to support travel and fees for presenting at top international and national conferences or workshops.
• International Research Visits: Financial support for short-term research internships or collaborative visits to leading laboratories abroad.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Access to world-class research labs, high-performance computing clusters, and interdisciplinary centers at IIIT-Delhi that enable cutting-edge experimentation and innovation.
• Mentorship and Training: Guidance from IIIT-Delhi’s distinguished faculty and opportunities for mentorship, ensuring scholars develop robust research careers while also honing teaching skills as Teaching Assistants.

This comprehensive support system reflects IIIT-Delhi’s holistic approach to nurturing its PhD students. Financial hurdles are minimized, allowing students to focus entirely on their research without external pressures.

Eligibility Criteria for the PhD Fellowship

Such a lucrative fellowship naturally comes with competitive entry criteria designed to select motivated and capable researchers. To be eligible for IIIT-Delhi’s PhD program (and the fellowship), applicants generally must meet these requirements:

By keeping the admission bar high yet broadening access to include fresh graduates, IIIT-Delhi ensures it selects researchers with both aptitude and passion. The message is clear: if you have a solid academic foundation and a drive for research, IIIT-Delhi welcomes you, even early in your career.

Diverse PhD Research Areas at IIIT-Delhi

One of IIIT-Delhi’s strengths is the breadth of research areas and interdisciplinary programs it offers for doctoral studies. Prospective PhD scholars can pursue research in multiple major disciplines:

• Computer Science and Engineering (CSE): Covering artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, software engineering, systems, and more.
• Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE): Encompassing VLSI design, embedded systems, wireless communications, signal processing, and related areas.
• Computational Biology (CB): Applying computational techniques to biological and healthcare data, bioinformatics, genomics, and systems biology.
• Human-Centered Design (HCD): An interdisciplinary field focusing on human-computer interaction, user experience design, and designing technology with a user-first approach.
• Mathematics (Math): Research in applied mathematics, algorithms, cryptography, theoretical computer science, and mathematical foundations of computing.
• Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH): Exploring the intersection of technology with society, including technology policy, economics, sociology, and ethics in IT.

IIIT-Delhi’s interdisciplinary ethos means students often collaborate across these domains—for example, applying AI (CSE) in healthcare (CB), or combining ECE and HCD for wearable devices. The institute’s multiple departments and specialized research centers provide fertile ground for cross-pollination of ideas, ensuring that doctoral researchers can find the perfect niche for their passions.

Impact of the Fellowship Hike on Research and Talent

Attracting Top Talent

Financial considerations often deter brilliant students from pursuing a PhD, especially when industry jobs offer higher initial salaries. IIIT-Delhi’s new fellowship directly addresses this concern. By offering a stipend competitive with industry roles, the institute sends a clear signal that research is valued. This move is expected to draw top-tier graduates from across the country who might otherwise have opted for corporate jobs or gone abroad.

Financial Security for Scholars

For those who do join, the generous stipend and grants mean PhD scholars can focus entirely on their research without external pressures. Bridging the financial gap between academia and industry ensures scholars are financially secure, allowing them to concentrate fully on groundbreaking work. This peace of mind can translate into more creativity, risk-taking in research, and potentially faster progress.

Boosting Research Output and Quality

With better support, scholars are more likely to undertake ambitious projects. The institute’s provision of travel funds and lab grants further enriches the research experience—students can present their work at prestigious conferences and collaborate with international peers, which raises the quality and visibility of their research. Over time, one can expect even more publications, patents, and technological breakthroughs emerging from IIIT-Delhi labs, driven by well-supported PhD candidates.

Strengthening the Research Ecosystem

The hike is also a strategic investment in India’s wider R&D ecosystem. By making academia a more attractive path, IIIT-Delhi contributes to a pipeline of well-trained researchers and future faculty. Graduates of IIIT-Delhi’s PhD program have gone on to join top universities and R&D roles in industry. Enhanced fellowships will only reinforce this trend by enabling more scholars to complete high-quality PhDs. In the long run, initiatives like this can help combat “brain drain” and ensure that India’s best minds contribute to domestic research and innovation.

IIIT-Delhi vs Other Institutions: A New Benchmark in PhD Stipends

It’s worth noting how IIIT-Delhi’s new fellowship compares with doctoral funding at other leading institutions, as this context highlights the significance of the move:

Conclusion: A Bright Opportunity for Future Researchers

IIIT-Delhi’s decision to hike the PhD fellowship to ₹60,000 per month—complemented by generous research grants and an enriching academic environment—is a game-changing opportunity for prospective PhD students. It reinforces the institute’s stature as a promising young research university willing to invest heavily in its students. For any aspiring researcher weighing where to pursue doctoral studies, IIIT-Delhi now makes a compelling case. Not only will you be joining an institute with a strong reputation and world-class facilities, but you’ll also be financially supported at a level that lets you truly focus on innovation and discovery.

With applications for the upcoming PhD intake now open, IIIT-Delhi is inviting aspiring researchers to apply and contribute to cutting-edge innovations in science and technology. If you are passionate about research and want to be part of an institution that values and rewards that passion, IIIT-Delhi should be high on your list. This fellowship hike is more than just a pay increase—it’s an invitation to join a thriving research community where your ideas can flourish, unencumbered by financial constraints.

Embark on your research journey with IIIT-Delhi, and you’ll be stepping into a future where your talent is nurtured and your contributions can truly make an impact. With unparalleled support and a commitment to excellence, IIIT-Delhi is lighting the way for the next generation of innovators and scholars. The question is: Are you ready to seize this opportunity?

Inspiring Others:
IIIT-Delhi’s fellowship hike may spur other institutions to follow suit, ensuring they do not lose out on top candidates. With global universities also increasing funding for doctoral students, Indian institutes are under pressure to stay competitive. For now, IIIT-Delhi clearly stands out for prioritizing researchers’ financial and professional growth in this manner.

Close to Premium Fellowships:
The only funding that clearly tops IIIT-Delhi’s offer in India would be highly competitive national schemes like the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF), but that is available to a select number of scholars. By contrast, IIIT-Delhi’s near-PMRF level of support extends to all its PhD students based on admission criteria, not a separate competition.

Matching Industry Lure:
Few Indian universities provide such a high stipend to all PhD students. By elevating everyone’s fellowship, IIIT-Delhi narrows the gap between a PhD stipend and an entry-level tech job salary, demonstrating its commitment to making research a lucrative and respected career path.

Higher Than Standard Fellowships:
Most government-funded PhD programs in India offer stipends according to UGC/DST norms, which are typically lower than ₹60,000 per month. IIIT-Delhi’s initiative significantly surpasses these standard rates, making it a standout choice for those looking to pursue a PhD.

Additional Requirements:
Shortlisted candidates typically go through interviews (and/or written tests) where they are evaluated on subject knowledge and research aptitude. Once admitted, students are expected to maintain a good academic record (a minimum CGPA requirement to continue the fellowship) and contribute as teaching assistants as needed.

Statement of Purpose/Research Proposal:
All PhD applicants must submit a convincing Statement of Purpose (SoP) or research proposal outlining their research interests and goals. This helps IIIT-Delhi identify candidates with clear vision and alignment with the institute’s research strengths.

Entrance Exams:
Depending on the chosen discipline, applicants may need to have qualified competitive exams such as GATE, UGC-NET/JRF, CSIR-NET, etc., which is often followed by an interview process. Candidates with existing fellowships like UGC/CSIR JRF, DST INSPIRE, or DBT JRF are strongly encouraged to apply as well.

Strong Academic Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum CGPA requirement is typical. Exceptionally talented recent B.Tech/B.E. graduates with research aptitude are also encouraged to apply, even without a master’s. In fact, IIIT-Delhi follows global best practices by welcoming fresh B.Tech graduates; a master’s or GATE score is not mandatory for admission in certain disciplines.