Emeritus Fellowship
Post-retirement research fellowship for professors · ₹31,000/month + ₹50,000/year · UGC
The Emeritus Fellowship by UGC is for retired (superannuated) university or college teachers who wish to continue active research in their area of expertise for up to 2 years. Fellows receive a monthly honorarium of ₹31,000 and a yearly contingency grant of ₹50,000. Applications open once a year through the UGC website at ugc.ac.in.
About This Scheme
The Emeritus Fellowship by UGC is for retired (superannuated) university or college teachers who wish to continue active research in their area of expertise for up to 2 years. Fellows receive a monthly honorarium of ₹31,000 and a yearly contingency grant of ₹50,000. Applications open once a year through the UGC website at ugc.ac.in.
Full official description
The scheme provides an opportunity to superannuated teachers to pursue active research in their respective field of specialization in Indian Universities/Colleges/ Institutions as indicated below:
- Universities/Institutions/Colleges under section 2(f) and 12(b) of UGC Act, 1956.
- Deemed to be Universities under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 which are eligible to receive grant in aid from UGC.
- Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/ State Govt.
- Institutes of National Importance.
The number of slots available under the scheme is 100 for Science streams and 100 for Humanities, Social Sciences and Languages (total 200 slots) at any one given time basis.
Joining of Fellowship
The candidate should join the fellowship within 3 months from the date of issue of Award letter, failing which the award will be treated as cancelled.
Feedback
- Emeritus Fellow under the Emeritus Fellowship Scheme of UGC the beneficiary will have to submit a feed back in form of the report on the Research work done.
- After completion of the Research work, the Emeritus Fellow will submit his/her research work in the INFILIBNET Centre repository along with the research paper published by the end of the tenure must be submitted. The fellow will be issued an Emeritus Fellowship Completion Certificate after successfully submitting comprehensive report of research work and publication in INFLIBNET repository.
Transfer of the Research Place
Transfer of the Research Place should be done by concerned University/College/Institute under the intimation to UGC and designated agency. Transfer of Research place will be allowed only once during the entire tenure
Resignation
Resignation of the Emeritus Fellow will be forwarded by the concerned University/College/Institute to the designated agency under intimation to UGC office. The grant will be released up to the date of resignation tendered by the fellow.
Benefits
- Monthly Honorarium: ₹31,000 for 2 years (non-extendable)
- Contingency Grant: ₹50,000/year for secretarial help, travel within India, books, journals, stationery, and equipment
- Foreign Travel: Permitted once a year (with prior approval from institution and UGC; no financial liability on UGC)
- Medical & Other Privileges: Same as regular university faculty members (no separate housing)
- 200 slots available nationally (100 for Science, 100 for Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages)
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Deep-tech and research-intensive startups should actively seek out Emeritus Fellows in their domain as advisors or consultants — these are domain experts with post-retirement time and UGC-funded research ongoing, often open to co-authorship or technical advisory roles.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be a superannuated (retired) teacher from a recognized university, college, or institution
- Must be below 70 years of age for the entire fellowship period
- Eligibility is based on quality of published research and academic contributions made during service
- Must submit a clear, time-bound research action plan (no extensions allowed)
- Must not hold any other paid post or employment at the time of joining
- Host institution must be a UGC-recognized university with valid NAAC accreditation, or a centrally/state-funded institution
Exclusions
- Award may be cancelled if the awardee is found ineligible at any point during the fellowship
- Award may be cancelled for breach of undertaking or failure to produce results as assessed by UGC
How to Apply
- UGC advertises openings once a year in leading newspapers, employment news, and on ugc.ac.in.
- Apply online through UGC's application portal per the advertised procedure.
- Once selected, download and submit the undertaking certificate from emeritus.ugc.ac.in.
- Submit the award letter and joining report with photograph and address details.
- Honorarium of ₹31,000/month is paid for 2 years (non-extendable); contingency is also non-lapsable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scheme for all teachers?
No, teachers who have retired but are still interested and wish to participate in teaching and research programs are eligible for these scheme
Is there any particular pay slab/scale for retired teacher for their eleigibility?
There are no restrictions on positions and salary scales for teacher who wish to apply under this scheme.
Can school teacher apply under this scheme?
No. teachers from colleges and universities are only Eligible.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar card
- Undertaking certificate (from UGC's Emeritus Fellowship portal)
- Copy of award letter and joining report with photograph and address