Policy Update
Purbaa Jagannath
Background
Technological innovation, industrial competitiveness and economic growth rely on a skilled workforce in the knowledge-driven global economy, which includes the research and development (R&D) sector. The development of indigenous technologies and the conversion of scientific knowledge into practical applications demand highly trained researchers to build emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Semiconductors Design, Cybersecurity, Big Data Analytics, Quantum Computing and Advanced Communication systems. But India has been facing issues on the availability of specialized research personnel, sufficient research funds, industry–academy interaction and opportunities for doctoral scholars to conduct in-depth technological research.
To meet these challenges the Government of India, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT in March 2014 with an approved budget of ₹466 crore over 9 years. The scheme aimed to boost the number of qualified professionals with PhD in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and Information Technology/Information Technology-Enabled Services (IT/ITES). It also aimed at luring and keeping young researchers in these areas with specially established fellowships.
The name of the scheme was given to Sir M. Visvesvaraya, who was an outstanding Indian engineer and statesman and the emphasis was on the technology and scientific development. It was designed as an institutional system, with qualified universities, Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), National Institute of Technology (NITs), and other approved institutions being allotted seats for Doctoral research. The participating institutions recruited the candidates on the basis of the procedure for admission and the eligibility criteria for the scheme.
The initiative was addressing a strategic policy issue, i.e. availability of technology and researchers who can design, develop, test and improve the technology to make it more useful for development of technological capabilities in the country. The scheme was envisioned to create a specialized workforce for the electronics and IT industry in India by offering financial support to the full-time and part-time PhD candidates, support to young faculty and enhancing the research infrastructure.
To expand the project and provide further support to doctoral researchers, young researchers and post-doctoral researchers, Phase II of the scheme was launched on 17 September 2021. It was created to facilitate research across a growing number of technology sectors such as AI, cyber security, semiconductor design, advanced communications and quantum technologies. Therefore, the years 2014 to 2023 are significant in the journey of India’s policy shift in creating a skilled R&D manpower.
Functioning
Institutional Funding Model and Allocation of Research Positions: The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme is based on the institutional funding model and allocation of positions for PhD research. The eligible institutions are invited by MeitY for the submission of proposals that are evaluated through the institutional and academic mechanisms of the scheme. Eligible candidates are enrolled in approved institutions by following existing admission processes to fill up doctoral research positions. This allows the research to be carried out in the existing academic and technical institutions and to provide additional space for training specialised researchers in the fields of electronics and IT.
The institutions engaged in the program are IITs, NITs, Universities and other eligible research institutions. The scheme aims to spread out the positions and expand the research capacity beyond the few established research centres by distributing the doctoral positions across institutions in different states and Union Territories. The allocation of research positions, however, should not be interpreted as an indication that all allocated positions will be claimed, and that all institutions will have the same research infrastructure.
Financial Support for PhD candidates on full time basis: Financial support is integral part of the scheme. In Phase-1, full time PhD students were paid a fellowship of ₹38,750 per month for the first and second year and ₹43,750 per month for the third to fifth year. The scheme also included a contingency grant of ₹30,000 per annum, house rent assistance as per the rules of the Government of India, and conference assistance up to ₹50,000 for international conferences.
The aim of these measures was to ease the financial strain of pursuing doctoral studies and thus enable scientists to spend more time on research at an advanced level. Confidentialities also facilitated scholars to present their research, engage with foreign research communities, and stay updated on technology advancements.
Phase II continued for 5 years with a monthly fellowship of ₹38,750 for the first 2 years and ₹43,750 for the next 3 years. The annual contingency support for full-time candidates has been raised from ₹1.00 lakh to ₹1.20 lakh and conference support has been raised to a maximum of ₹1.50 lakh. These Phase II provisions are not to be confused with the financial arrangements under Phase I. Contingency and conference support is not intended as monthly payments per fellow, but rather provided via the institutions.
Part-Time PhD Candidates: The scheme also provides support for part-time doctoral researchers, which allows for the opportunity of working and conducting research at the same time. This component is especially applicable to those who will work in industry or technical institutions and want to expand their research skills. The potential is for increased connections between professional experience and academic research, but this will depend on the institutional support, research facilities, and time available to conduct research.
In Phase I, candidates who are eligible for part-time jobs will be given an incentive of ₹2.5 lakh after completing their PhD based on the conditions of the scheme. In Phase II this completion incentive was raised to ₹3 lakh. The figures are indicative to be included in the respective phases and do not represent a one-size-fits-all benefit for the entire scheme.
Young Faculty Research Fellowships (YFRF): Another significant aspect of the scheme is Young Faculty Research Fellowships. The fellowships are meant to attract and keep qualified young faculty members in the ESDM and IT/ITES field and promote research and technology development. The fellowship also offers financial assistance for research activities in the form of ₹20,000 monthly on top of the fellowship amount and research contingency of up to ₹5 lakh per annum (based on the fellowship scheme).
The scheme aims to build the research capacity of educational institutions and establish a sustainable pipeline of researchers and mentors for next generation PhD students. The stability of academic positions, research facilities and continuation of research after the fellowship period, however, also has a role in its long-term effectiveness.
Research Infrastructure and Emerging Technology Focus: Topics in the electronics and IT sector such as AI, image processing, big data analytics, blockchain, cybersecurity, semiconductor design, advanced communications and quantum computing are supported under this scheme.
Performance
The effectiveness of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme can be measured at contributing to enrolment of doctoral students, completion of research, publication of academic papers, development of patents, and building capacity of institutions for research. It is estimated that a significant number of researchers were involved during Phase I under the scheme as reported by the government. But the figures published by the official sources do not agree with one another, so figures on enrolment and completion should not be summated but attributed to the sources of the figures and the time of their publication.
In the first place, the scheme led to the greater involvement of doctoral students in electronics and IT. The release of the Press Information Bureau in December 2022 said that Phase-I had assisted 1,019 PhD scholars and 330 part-time scholars in 97 institutions in 25 states and four Union territories. According to the other PIB release from the same period, 1,090 full-time and 333 part-time candidates were there in the annexure.
Accordingly, the current page on the MeitY scheme states that there are 1016 full-time and 330 part-time candidates for Phase I. The figures vary from one source to another and should be mentioned with the sources and the context of the reports. These, however, suggest the scheme provided support for doctoral studies with a geographically spread network of academic and technical institutions.
The PIB release for December 2022 also mentioned 673 candidates had completed PhD and presented theses and 545 others were working on their theses. These are the status at that specific release. Submitted theses, completed degrees and current enrolments are not the same indicators and should not be considered as the same educational outcome.
Secondly, the scheme helped in research output and knowledge production. According to the government reports in December 2022, the number of research papers published by PhD candidates and Young Faculty Research Fellowship was 5,416 and the number of patents filed was 71. As per a later update by the MeitY, 5750 publications and 90 patents related to its Phase I efforts were achieved till 30 April 2025: Of these, 20 were granted, seven were published and 63 patents were filed. The latter ones are for a new reporting period and should not be interpreted as results only from 2014 to 2023.
The numbers indicate that the scheme enabled research activity beyond the enrolment of PhD students, and helped build knowledge and enable the creation of intellectual property. But the number of publications and patents does not represent the quality, originality, usefulness or impact of the research for society. A more complete evaluation would include a consideration of publication quality, patents issued, technology transfer, industry usage and the impact of research outputs on the indigenous technological capacity.
Thirdly, the scheme gave a boost to the institutional framework for doctoral studies. Scattering of research posts in the universities, IITs, NITs, and other approved institutions facilitated the provision of specialised doctoral training. For electronics and IT, in particular, it is often necessary to use specialised laboratories, technical supervisors, computing facilities and access to research networks for advanced research and development, which makes institutional participation significant.
However, it is not a guarantee of any kind that all the institutions involved with the participation have similar infrastructure or supervisory capacity. The quality of research opportunities and outcomes may vary from institution to institution due to differences in laboratory facilities, availability of faculty, research funding, and industry collaborations.
Fourthly, the government’s decision to launch the second phase demonstrated its commitment to continue and expand research workforce development. The second phase of the scheme aimed to provide support for more number of PhD scholars, faculty members and postdoctoral scholars both in full-time and part-time positions. The introduction of post-doctor fellowship was especially relevant as research workforce development was not limited to doctoral studies, but was also focused on providing opportunities for advanced researchers to develop their expertise and skills, to work across institutions, and to establish independent research programmes.
Amidst its Phase-II implementation, the first round of 200 full-time PhD positions was awarded to 70 institutions for the academic year 2022-23. These allocations are not an indication of completed enrolments, completed doctoral programmes or findings of research.
Last but not least, the performance indicators available show progress and show there is scope for improvement! Academic and research activity are demonstrated through doctoral support, research publications and patents. However, adding to this, it is important to have data on PhD completion rates, researcher retention, employment in R&D roles, industrial collaboration, technology transfer, and long-term career advancement to assess if the scheme had a significant impact on the strengthening of the R&D workforce in India. The effect of the scheme on the overall technology workforce can’t be fully assessed without consistent, comparable and cohort-wise outcome information.
Impact
The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme has helped build India’s specialist PhD community, foster technological research and boost institutional capability in electronics and information technology. It can be studied from the aspects of human capital development, research productivity, technological self-reliance and the linkage between academic research and industrial innovation. But it is not possible to measure these broader impacts using just enrolment numbers, publications and patents alone.
The first is that the scheme has contributed to the development of the technical human capital with advanced qualifications. The skills gained using doctorate research are very crucial for the development of new technologies, such as specialized knowledge, analytical skills and research experience. The scheme aims to address financial constraints on PhD students and to allow researchers to concentrate on the more complex technological challenges. It also provides the opportunity for both full-time and part-time researchers and offers alternative routes to acquiring research skills.
Secondly, the scheme has promoted research on strategically important technologies. In India, the electronics and IT industries play a crucial role in driving the digital economy and technological advancements. Investment in semiconductor design, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cutting-edge communication solutions, and quantum technologies could support indigenous innovation in areas with internationally competitive and strategic technology capabilities. The scheme’s emphasis in these areas coincides with the national priorities in the field of digital transformation, technological innovation and indigenous product development, in line with doctoral research.
Thirdly, the scheme has built research capacity in HEIs. Doctoral students participate in research projects, publications, lab work and the creation of new technical knowledge. Young Faculty Research Fellowships can also be used to launch research programmes and build capacity for the supervision of future researchers by early career academics. The institutional impact is relevant as sustainable research capacity is to a large extent linked to the quality of the institutions where individual scholars operate.
Fourthly, the scheme has helped generate research outputs that could have technological applications. The knowledge production and development of intellectual property has occurred among the supported researchers as reported in the government publications and patent. Research outputs can also be built on and integrated in prototyping, testing, industry cooperation and commercialisation to assist technological innovation. However, patent filings are not the only indicator of successful commercialisation and papers do not necessarily indicate the economic impact of research.
Fifthly, there is potential to enhance linkages between academic research and industrial requirements. The electronics and IT industries need researchers with skills to solve problems in product design, product manufacture, software systems, communications and new technologies. Such innovation can draw from doctoral research, especially in a partnership between institutions and companies and/or research laboratories. Improved collaboration between research bodies and industry to facilitate the transfer of academic research to products, processes and technological services.
Lastly, the scheme is helping India achieve its goal of achieving technological independence. Building a domestic R&D workforce helps to lower reliance on external experts, increase capacity to apply technologies to Indian context and enhance India’s involvement in international research networks. However, this effect relies on continued funding for research, improved infrastructure, good job prospects, and systems for research to be translated into use. It would be useful to have some long-term employment and career tracking data to determine the degree to which the scheme has fulfilled these broader goals.
Emerging Issues
The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, while contributing to the doctoral research and technological capacity building, poses several questions of implementation and evaluation which could impact the extent of the research support reaching into a skilled, productive and sustainable R&D workforce.
The process of doctoral research in electronics and IT can be a lengthy one with complex experiments, specialised lab work, software development and testing, and iterative testing. Such activities can be time consuming and resource intensive. The scheme offers financial support for doctoral study, but this does not guarantee timely completion unless it offers fellowships. The delay may be due to limited access to the laboratory, inadequate supervisory support, laboratory equipment outages, and the complexity of the research problem. To do a comprehensive evaluation, it is necessary to have data for percentage completion by cohorts and time to degree completion for doctoral degrees.
Uneven Institutional Research Capacity: This scheme functions on the basis of a variety of institutions that have different levels of research infrastructure, faculty expertise, laboratory facilities and industry connections. Institutions that have a more robust research environment might be more able to nurture such advanced doctoral studies, whereas less-equipped institutions might encounter problems in offering similar opportunities. This poses a potential problem in the matching of geographical expansion of research jobs with research training. Facilities, supervision, enrolment and completion institution-wise data would help to assess the scale of this challenge.
Research-to-Industry Transition: Publications in academic journals and patent applications are valuable research products, but they often lead to products or industrial uses that are not commercially viable. Researchers might face challenges in the availability of prototyping infrastructure, technology transfer assistance, venture funding, or industry collaborations. The economic and technological impact of doctoral research can be limited if effective mechanisms are not provided to transfer research results into the practice. It would be more informative to know the number of patents granted, technologies licensed and research outputs adopted by industry in this transition.
Retention of Skilled Researchers: The development of an R&D personnel is not just about training researchers but also about their retention in R&D jobs. The doctoral degree holder can opt to go out of India or into non-specialized disciplines where the training is not utilised. These career paths can be associated with variations in compensation, research facilities, job security, and research opportunity. Sustaining the scheme over the long term is therefore dependent in part on the existence of stimulating research career opportunities in universities, research laboratories, public sector institutions and industry. But the amount of researcher attrition or migration to other countries should be measured and not taken on faith.
Rapidly Evolving Technologies: Electronics and IT refers to technologies that change quickly. Today, new research priorities and technical possibilities are needed for emerging technologies like advanced semiconductors, AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and next-generation communications. When the specialised equipment, the knowledge and skills of faculty, and research funds are lacking, doctoral programmes may not be able to keep up. The scheme should be kept relevant by regular research priorities reviews and the increased involvement of industry.
Limited Outcome Based Evaluation: The number of researchers supported, number of papers published and number of patents filed gives an indication of the programme activity, but does not capture the scheme contribution to the technological capability of India fully. A comprehensive evaluation should also look at the percentage of patents, technology transfer, industry uptake, jobs for researchers, salary growth, research collaboration and career sustainability in research. The use of consistent definitions, reporting time periods and clear data reconciliation are also highlighted by the discrepancies between the government reported statistics.
Funding Continuity & Research Infrastructure: Advanced research requires regular funding, equipment, computing facilities and technical support. Discontinuation of financial support or research expenditure delays can impact research productivity and time. In addition, certain research fields like semiconductor design and quantum technologies could need specialized facilities which are costly to build and maintain. Therefore, the institutional infrastructure should be developed in parallel with the enrolment of the doctoral students.
Equitable Access to Research Opportunities: Institutional eligibility and distribution of doctoral positions may enhance access to research, but does not imply the absence of barriers for economically disadvantaged students or students from institutions with less research resources. Selection procedures that are transparent, appropriate academic backgrounds, mentoring, and easy access to information about research opportunities continue to be key factors in developing a diversified and effective R&D workforce. Enhanced information about the institutional and regional spread of awards would help inform questions about whether awards are available to a wide spectrum of qualified awards.
Way Forward
Besides the expansion of the numbers of doctoral programmes, there is a need to focus on the quality of research and its completion, relevance to industry and career prospects for the trained researchers, in the policy implementation of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, in order to enhance its long-term impact.
First of all, MeitY should put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation system which would provide a record of the research journey starting from enrolment up to completion of PhD and then to jobs. The framework should include cohort-wise completion of education, time taken to obtain Degree, publications, patents filed and granted, research collaborations, and career progression. There would be clear demarcations between allocations, enrolments, ongoing research, completed degrees and submitted theses; this would facilitate transparency and allow better evaluation of performance. Official statistics should be based on consistent definitions and reporting dates and be accompanied by an explanatory note of any differences between releases.
Secondly, the research infrastructure needs to be developed in the participating institutions. The universities and research centres need access to high-performance computing, advanced software tools, specialised laboratories, testing facilities, and technical personnel to ensure reliable access to the required equipment. MeitY can encourage the use of common research infrastructure and joint arrangement of laboratory facilities between different institutions to avoid duplication and make more expensive equipment available. The institutional support should also take into account the specific needs of various research fields, such as semiconductor design, AI, cyber security and quantum technologies.
Thirdly, stronger industry–academia partnerships should be developed. The interaction of doctoral researchers, technology companies, research laboratories and public-sector enterprises can aid in linking research questions to technological and industrial needs. The practical relevance of research can be enhanced by means of joint research projects, industry-sponsored doctoral programmes, internships, shared laboratories and structured technology transfer programmes. The partnerships should maintain the academic freedom of the research and establish avenues for successful research to be developed into products and prototypes.
Fourthly, the scheme should promote researcher retention and career progression. PhD graduates and young faculty members should have a stable research job, postdoctoral positions, mentoring and competitive research funds. Structured career paths for early-career researchers may be created within public universities, national laboratories and industry research centres. Postdoctoral research support can be continued to enhance the capabilities of researchers and to build up independent research programmes.
Finally, the quality of supervision and research at the doctoral level should be improved by developing faculty, fostering interdisciplinary research and providing frequent academic evaluation. Supervisors need opportunities to keep their technical knowledge up-to-date and to have access to research networks in emerging technologies. Research progress can be assessed periodically, which can alert to potential infrastructure issues, training gaps and delays early. Such mechanisms should be helpful to the researchers and not add to their administrative burden.
Sixthly, the research priorities should be updated from time to time keeping in mind the new developments in the technology world and the strategic needs of India. New domains like advanced semiconductor design, AI, cyber security, quantum communication and next generation communication systems should be addressed based on clear research agendas and infrastructure. Meanwhile, long-term funding should be sustained for research areas that entail long experimentation and development cycles.
Last, the government should improve equitable access and accountability of institutions. Providing clear information regarding institutional allocation, eligibility, selection processes and research outcomes can help make opportunities available to competent candidates from anywhere in the region. Periodic, independent assessments are required on the effectiveness of the scheme in building research capacity in institutions of varying infrastructure, and the advancement of supported researchers to sustainable research careers.
These steps can help the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme build its strength in the development of the electronics and IT research fraternity in India. It will require a combination of financial support and quality research infrastructure, good supervision, industry cooperation, clear assessment, and viable career prospects for long-term success. This can be used to transform doctoral training into long-term scientific capability, technological innovation, and enhance domestic R&D capability.
References
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (n.d.). Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT. Government of India.
https://www.meity.gov.in/offerings/schemes-and-services/details/visvesvaraya-phd-scheme-for-electronics-it-QM1MDOtQWa - Press Information Bureau. (2021, September 17). Launch of Phase II of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme. Government of India.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1755855&lang=2®=48 - Press Information Bureau. (2022, December 14). Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1883486&lang=2®=48 - Press Information Bureau. (2022, December). Government information on electronics and IT skill development and research initiatives. Government of India.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1883839&lang=2®=3 - Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (2023). Annual report 2022–23. Government of India.
https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2024/02/AR_2022-23_English_24-04-23-1.pdf - Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology – Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme: https://www.meity.gov.in/offerings/schemes-and-services/details/visvesvaraya-phd-scheme-for-electronics-it-QM1MDOtQWa
- Press Information Bureau – Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, 14 December 2022: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1883486&lang=2®=48
- Press Information Bureau – Launch of Phase II of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, 17 September 2021: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1755855&lang=2®=48
- India Science, Technology and Innovation Portal – Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme: https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/programme-schemes/human-resource-and-development/visvesvaraya-phd-scheme-electronics-it
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. (2024). Annual report 2023–24. Government of India.
https://www.meity.gov.in
About the Contributor
Purbaa Jagannath is a Research Intern at the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), working on policy writing. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Work (Women-Centred Practice) at TISS Mumbai, and holds a Bachelor of Social Work (Honours with Research), with a minor in Political Science, from University of Delhi. Her research interests span social work, political science, policy research and grassroots fieldwork across India, with recurring focus areas including youth empowerment, governance and community development.
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to IMPRI (Impact and Policy Research Institute) for providing an opportunity to undertake policy research and contribute to discussions on important government initiatives. I also acknowledge the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Press Information Bureau for making official scheme documents, government announcements, and research-related information publicly accessible, which supported the preparation of this article.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of IMPRI (Impact and Policy Research Institute) or any affiliated organisation. The article is based on publicly available government documents and official announcements and is intended solely for academic and research purposes. Government-reported figures are presented with reference to their stated reporting periods, and programme allocations are distinguished from completed outcomes wherever applicable.
