The VAIBHAV Fellowship is a Government of India programme that brings top Indian-origin scientists working abroad to collaborate with research and academic institutions in India. Run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), it lets these scientists spend time at Indian institutions every year, share their expertise and build long-term research partnerships. The scheme is frequently asked in exams under Science & Technology and Government Schemes.
Why in News?
The VAIBHAV Fellowship continues to select new batches of overseas Indian scientists every year. After the first batch was announced in January 2024, further fellows have been selected under the 2024 and 2025 calls, and the programme is now administered by the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) on behalf of DST.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Full form | Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Fellowship |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Department | Department of Science and Technology (DST) |
| Implementing agency | Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), through DST's International Cooperation Division (MoU signed on 15 July 2024) |
| Announced | 28 February 2023 (National Science Day) |
| First call | 15 June – 31 July 2023 |
| Who can apply | Indian-origin scientists abroad – NRI, PIO and OCI |
| Number of fellowships | Up to 75 |
| Knowledge verticals | 18 |
| Stay in India | Up to 2 months per year, for a maximum of 3 years |
| Fellowship grant | Rs 4,00,000 per month during the stay in India |
| Fields | STEMM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine |
Objectives
- Connect the Indian STEMM diaspora with Indian higher educational institutions and research labs.
- Strengthen research capacity in India through collaboration with top global institutions.
- Encourage movement of faculty and researchers from overseas institutions to India.
- Give Indian students and researchers access to advanced techniques and global research networks.
- Support India's goal of becoming a global leader in science and technology.
Eligibility
- Must be a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
- Must hold a PhD, MD or MS degree from a recognised university.
- Must be working at an overseas academic, research or industrial organisation with a strong research track record – generally an institution in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings.
- Must identify an Indian host institution (such as an IIT, IISc, IISER, NIT, central university or publicly funded research institute) and prepare a joint research proposal with it.
Benefits for Fellows
- Rs 4 lakh per month fellowship grant for the time spent in India
- International and domestic travel support
- Accommodation and contingency support
- Research grant to the Indian host institution for the collaborative project
18 Knowledge Verticals (examples)
The fellowship covers 18 priority areas, including:
- Quantum technology
- Health and pharmaceuticals
- Electronics
- Agriculture
- Energy
- Computer sciences
- Material sciences
Fellows Selected So Far
| Call | Selected |
|---|---|
| First batch (announced January 2024) | 22 fellows selected out of 302 proposals |
| Call 2024 | 16 fellows |
| Call 2025 | 20 VAIBHAV Fellows + 1 Distinguished VAIBHAV Fellow |
Fellows of the first batch came from leading universities such as Caltech, University of Michigan, University of Oslo and National University of Singapore, and were hosted by institutions including IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IISc Bengaluru, TIFR Mumbai and IISER Pune.
Significance
- Brain gain instead of brain drain: India benefits from the knowledge of its scientists abroad without them having to relocate permanently.
- Better research in Indian institutions: joint projects raise the quality of research, publications and patents.
- Global networks: Indian students and faculty get links with world-class universities.
- Support for national missions: verticals like quantum technology, energy and health match India's priority missions.
Static GK: Related Facts
| VAIBHAV Summit | Vaishvik Bharatiya Vaigyanik Summit, inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on 2 October 2020 – the idea for the fellowship grew from this global summit of Indian-origin scientists |
|---|---|
| National Science Day | 28 February – marks the discovery of the Raman Effect by C.V. Raman (1928) |
| Department of Science and Technology | Established in May 1971; headquarters in New Delhi |
| Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) | Founded in 1987; headquarters in Gurugram, Haryana |
| Pravasi Bharatiya Divas | 9 January – marks Mahatma Gandhi's return from South Africa in 1915 |
Practice MCQs
1. What is the full form of VAIBHAV in the VAIBHAV Fellowship?
(a) Vishwa Bharatiya Vigyan Abhiyan
(b) Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik
(c) Vigyan Aur Bharat Vikas
(d) Vaishvik Bharat Vigyan Hub
2. Which department runs the VAIBHAV Fellowship?
(a) Department of Biotechnology
(b) Department of Higher Education
(c) Department of Science and Technology
(d) Ministry of External Affairs
3. How much monthly grant does a VAIBHAV Fellow receive?
(a) Rs 1 lakh
(b) Rs 2 lakh
(c) Rs 4 lakh
(d) Rs 5 lakh
4. For a maximum of how many years can a VAIBHAV Fellow collaborate with an Indian institution?
(a) 1 year
(b) 2 years
(c) 3 years
(d) 5 years
5. How many knowledge verticals are covered under the VAIBHAV Fellowship?
(a) 12
(b) 15
(c) 18
(d) 21
6. Which organisation implements the VAIBHAV Fellowship on behalf of DST?
(a) Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE)
(b) Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
(c) CSIR
(d) UGC
Answers: 1 – (b) | 2 – (c) | 3 – (c) | 4 – (c) | 5 – (c) | 6 – (a)
Conclusion
The VAIBHAV Fellowship turns India's large scientific diaspora into a partner in national development. By bringing world-class researchers to Indian campuses every year, the scheme strengthens research quality, builds global connections and helps India move closer to its goal of becoming a science and technology leader.
Sources: Department of Science and Technology (PIB), Indian National Academy of Engineering.