The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) is all set to introduce special fellowships for its top 100 PhD students, on par with those of various top bodies of higher education, like University Grants Commission (UGC) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The decision follows the Central government's recent announcement of the highest ever hike — 50 per cent — in fellowships for research scholars across the country.


There is a huge gap in fellowships between students who are pursuing PhD after National Eligibility Test and those who are pursuing it after clearing the PhD Entrance Test of the university. File pic 

Research scholars who crack the National Eligibility Test (NET), receive a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) which is going to increase from the current Rs 16,000 to Rs 25,000 per month, while the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) will increase from current Rs 18,000 to Rs 28,000 per month, to complete PhDs according to a recent announcement made by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh.