Overview
The VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowships Programme is a flagship initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, designed to connect India’s scientific diaspora with Indian research institutions. The programme awards outstanding NRI, OCI, and PIO scientists and technologists to collaborate with Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Universities, and publicly funded scientific institutions.
The first cycle of VAIBHAV Fellowships was announced on 15 June 2023. The programme builds upon the earlier VAIBHAV Summit held in October 2020, which brought together over 3,000 Indian-origin academicians and scientists from 40 countries. Through this fellowship, the Government of India aims to leverage global Indian talent for advancing cutting-edge research across 18 identified knowledge verticals.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full form | VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik |
| Implementing department | Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
| First call announced | 15 June 2023 |
| Fellowship duration | Up to 2 months per year for maximum 3 years |
| Monthly fellowship | Rs 4,00,000 |
| Total fellowship over 3 years | ~Rs 37 lakh |
| Host institution support | Up to Rs 5 lakh/year for 3 years |
| Contingency grant | Rs 1,00,000 for research work in India |
| Accommodation | Up to Rs 7,500/day |
| Travel | Round-trip business class airfare once a year |
| Knowledge verticals | 18 areas including quantum technology, health, pharma, AI |
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply
- Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) engaged in active research abroad
- Must hold a Ph.D., M.D., or M.S. degree from a recognised university
- Must be currently associated with a university, research laboratory, or institution abroad
- Should have a demonstrable track record of research excellence in their field
Research Areas
The programme covers 18 knowledge verticals and 80 sub-research horizontals, including:
- Quantum Technology
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Health and Pharma
- Electronics and Communications
- Agriculture and Food Security
- Energy (including renewable and green hydrogen)
- Computer Sciences
- Material Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Sciences
Fellowship Benefits
Financial Support to Fellow
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly fellowship | Rs 4,00,000 |
| International travel | Business class round-trip airfare (once per year) |
| Domestic travel | As per DST norms |
| Accommodation | Up to Rs 7,500/day |
| Contingency grant | Rs 1,00,000 for research consumables |
Support to Host Institution
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual institutional grant | Up to Rs 5,00,000/year for 3 years |
| Purpose | Facilitate research infrastructure, lab access, and administrative support |
How It Works
- Application: Eligible diaspora scientists apply through the DST portal during open call periods
- Review: Applications are evaluated by expert committees based on research proposal quality and institutional fit
- Selection: Selected fellows are matched with Indian host institutions
- Collaboration: Fellows visit India for up to 2 months per year, co-supervising research students, conducting joint experiments, and co-authoring publications
- Output: Expected deliverables include joint research papers, co-supervised Ph.D. students, patent filings, and technology transfer
Latest Developments
- May 2025: VAIBHAV Fellowship Call-2025 opened by DST with deadline of 30 May 2025 (5:00 PM IST)
- 2024-25: 75 fellows from the first batch selected across 18 knowledge verticals for collaborative research at premier Indian institutions
- October 2020: VAIBHAV Summit held virtually, connecting 3,000+ Indian-origin researchers from 40+ countries across 230 panel discussions on 18 verticals and 80 horizontals
- The programme is part of the broader government strategy to reverse brain drain and channel global Indian expertise into domestic R&D
Prelims Importance
- Full form: VAIshwik BHArtiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV)
- Implementing body: Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology
- Fellowship amount: Rs 4,00,000/month
- Duration: Up to 2 months/year for maximum 3 years
- Eligibility: NRI/OCI/PIO scientists with Ph.D./M.D./M.S.
- Covers 18 knowledge verticals and 80 sub-research horizontals
- First call: June 2023; builds on VAIBHAV Summit (October 2020)
- VAIBHAV Summit: 3,000+ diaspora scientists from 40+ countries
Mains & Interview Importance
GS3 — Science and Technology
- Diaspora engagement in R&D: How VAIBHAV Fellowship addresses India’s challenge of brain drain by creating structured reverse knowledge flows
- India’s R&D spending: India spends approximately 0.64% of GDP on R&D (one of the lowest among major economies); VAIBHAV supplements domestic capacity with global talent
- Knowledge transfer models: Compare with other diaspora engagement programmes like INSPIRE Faculty (for Indian researchers) and Ramanujan Fellowship (for returning scientists)
Interview Angles
- “India is not experiencing brain drain but brain deposit. How does the VAIBHAV Fellowship validate this argument?”
- “Can short-term fellowship programmes like VAIBHAV substitute for long-term institutional investment in R&D infrastructure?”
- “How can India create an ecosystem that retains domestic talent while also attracting diaspora expertise?”