Fellowship FAQs

1. How should my application be submitted?

The application as prescribed may be sent to the Secretary, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla 171005 by email or post.  The application format can be downloaded from here:

2. When and how are fellowships advertised?

While the Fellowships are widely advertised and also listed on the website, applications are invited throughout the year. The selection of Fellows is not necessarily confined to those who respond to advertisements. It is open to the Institute to consider the names of eminent scholars suggested by the Director, members of Governing Body and the Society.

3. What are the different types of fellowships at IIAS?

The Institute has three kinds of Fellows namely— National Fellows, Regular Fellows and Tagore Fellows. The duration of fellowships ranges from 6 months, 1 year, 2 years. The term of all kinds of Fellows at the Institute is for a maximum period of 2 years. At the time of application, the duration sought must be indicated. After the award of fellowship, it cannot be changed.

4. When are fellowships awards announced?

The Fellowship Award Committee, which screens and decides the applicants, usually meets twice a year after which successful applicants are notified.

5. What are the areas of study at IIAS?

The Institute has defined certain areas of study. These are:-

    1. Social, Political and Economic Philosophy
    2. Comparative Indian Literature (including Ancient, Medieval, Modern Folk and Tribal)
    3. Comparative Studies in Philosophy and Religions
    4. Development of World Views
    5. Education, Culture, Arts including performing Arts and Crafts
    6. Fundamental Concepts and Problems of Logic and Mathematics
    7. Fundamental Concepts and Problems of Natural and Life Sciences
    8. Studies in Environment, Natural and Social
    9. Indian Civilisation in the context of Asian Neighbours
    10. Problems of Contemporary India in the context of National Integration and Nation-building.

Certain areas have also been marked for special attention, such as: Indian unity in diversity, the integrality of Indian consciousness, the philosophy of education in the Indian perspective, advanced concepts in natural sciences and their philosophical implications and, the Indian and Asian contribution to the synthesis of science and spirituality. Spheres that encompass Indian and human unity, provide 'companions' to Indian literature, comparative studies of the Indian epics and human environment also come within this ambit.

6. Fellowship Grant

The pay of Fellows in government/allied services (not in private sector) will be protected. In addition, they will get 20 per cent of their basic pay in case they have not availed of government accommodation and can demonstrate that they are maintain a separate home on rent. The Fellowship grant for Fellows who are independent/retired scholars is Rs. 61,100/- per month.

7. Is accommodation provided?

The Institute provides hard furnished, rent-free accommodation to Fellows in cottages on the Rashtrapati Nivas Estate. A reasonable lump sum rent will be charged for items such as TV, refrigerator, stove, heat pillars, geysers and bedding etc. They will have access to the Institute's vehicles for local travel on payment of nominal charges. Fellows are also entitled to free medical treatment at the dispensary of the Institute. In addition, scholars will be provided a fully furnished study, on a sharing basis, with computer and Internet facilities.

8. What is the Tagore Centre at IIAS, Shimla?

On the 150th Birth Anniversary of ‘Gurudev’ Rabindranath Tagore, the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) was awarded the Tagore Centre for the Study of Culture and Civilization by the HRD Ministry of Government of India. Therefore, while focusing on Tagore’s works and thoughts the Centre creates space where the vision of the seer, the sensibility of the poet, the creativity of the artist, the anxieties of the educationist, the questions of the philosopher, the aspirations of the subjugated, and the hopes of the internationalist would find a place. The Centre does not aim at studying just Tagore’s works and thoughts though such a study is one of its important activities. The Centre is providing short/long term opportunities to the practitioners of culture and civilization who are engaged with concerns similar to those which preoccupied Tagore such as education, environment, artistic and literary imagination, participatory development, nationalism, cultural influences, reconciliation, philosophy and humanism, science and society. Such engagements may involve the textual study of his work, or a creative engagement with his literary imagination or with his experiments in music, dance, and painting, or practicing innovative ideas in education and environment in the urban and rural context, or simply with larger implications and possibilities of his vision.

Activities of the Centre:

    1. There are ideally 4 fellows in residence at the Centre every year. None of the fellows are permanent and their term is for a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 2 years. They enjoy facilities similar to other fellows. One of the fellows may be either a poet, or a writer, or an artist-in-residence as a tribute to Tagore’s multifaceted personality. Another may be a scholar from outside India. The fellows are known as Tagore Fellows.
    2. An annual International Seminar on some aspect of Tagore’s concerns is proposed to be conducted. This will preferably not be of an exegetical nature but more an engagement with his substantial concerns as stated in the vision document.
    3. A study week on Tagore’s works would be organized every alternate year.
    4. An artist camp could perhaps be organized every alternate year.
    5. An annual Tagore Lecture is also organized.

9. Terms and Conditions of Fellowship.

Fellows are expected to remain in residence from 1st March to 15th December. Their stay at the Institute during the winter months is optional. Upon the completion of their term, Fellows are required to submit their completed research work in the form of a monograph to the Institute. The monographs submitted by them are considered for publication by the Institute - which also retains the first right of publication. A detailed list of the terms and conditions of fellowship may be accessed at __________

Before the assumption of fellowship, the fellow will sign the undertaking regarding the terms and conditions of the fellowship at the Institute.