Executive Summary:
The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, initiated by the Government of India, aims to increase the number of PhDs in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT-IT Enabled Services (ITES). Phase I, with an outlay of ₹466.00 crore, was initiated in 2014 for 9 years and Phase II, with an outlay of ₹481.93 crore, was initiated in 2021 for 9 years. The scheme provides financial support to PhD scholars and young faculty, along with research infrastructure support to institutions.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Scheme Objectives and Focus:**
* Enhance the number of PhDs in ESDM and IT-ITES sectors.
* Support research and technology development.
* Provide research infrastructure support to institutions.
* **Scheme Phases and Funding:**
* Phase I (2014): ₹466.00 crore outlay for 9 years, awarding 1,075 PhD fellowships.
* Phase II (2021): ₹481.93 crore outlay for 9 years, awarding 561 PhD fellowships to date.
* Year-wise fund details are available on the scheme portal.
* **Beneficiary Institutions:**
* Supported 171 institutions, including IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs, Central Universities and other eligible institutions.
* Institutions span various categories, including private and state universities/colleges.
* **Research Areas and Outcomes:**
* Focus on emerging technologies like Image Processing, AI, Big Data, Cyber Security, Quantum Computing and Semiconductor Design.
* Resulted in 4,063 research papers published and 90 patents filed (20 granted).
* Scholars placed in academia, industry, and government institutions.
* **Young Faculty Research Fellowships:**
* Provisions to boost research in emerging technologies.
* Enables young faculty to pursue research in these areas.
Impact Analysis:
* **PhD Scholars:**
* *Impact:* Financial support for research, opportunities for placements in various sectors, and contribution to the innovation ecosystem.
* *Action Required:* Pursue research in emerging technology areas and contribute to research output through publications and patents.
* **Academic Institutions:**
* *Impact:* Enhanced research infrastructure, increased number of PhD scholars, and promotion of research in emerging technologies.
* *Action Required:* Provide necessary infrastructure and support to PhD scholars and young faculty, and facilitate research in focused areas.
* **Government:**
* *Impact:* Development of talent and capabilities in the technology sector, advancement of research and innovation, and global competitiveness in knowledge-intensive sectors.
* *Action Required:* Continue to monitor and evaluate the scheme's progress and provide necessary funding and support for its expansion and enhancement.
Key Entities Referenced
Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme: A Government of India initiative to enhance the number of PhDs in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sectors.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for electronics and information technology policy.
SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI: Member of Lok Sabha who posed the question regarding the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Electronics System Design and Manufacturing: A key sector targeted by the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, often abbreviated as ESDM.
IT/IT Enabled Services: Another key sector targeted by the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, often abbreviated as IT/ITES.
Andhra Pradesh: An Indian state that is specified in the policy document.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question about the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2896
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 06.08.2025
VISVESVARAYA PHD SCHEME
2896. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of PhD fellowships awarded under the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme since its
inception year and State-wise including Andhra Pradesh;
(b) the details of funds allocated and utilised under the said scheme during the last five years along
with infrastructure support, research grants and stipends provided to scholars;
(c) the details of institutions and research centres that have benefited from the scheme along with
the disciplinary focus areas and key research projects undertaken;
(d) the details of employment and research outcomes of PhD scholars supported under the said
scheme including their placement in academia, industry and Government institutions; and
(e) whether the Government has any plans to extend or expand the said scheme including
increasing funding, coverage or special incentives for emerging research areas and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (e): The Government is focused on creating talent and capabilities for the entire technology
sector including emerging areas such as Semiconductors, AI, High Performance Computing,
Electronics Systems, etc. by its various programmes/schemes. The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme is
an important part of this ecosystem.
The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme was initiated by the Government with an objective of enhancing
the number of PhDs in the country to compete globally in the knowledge intensive sectors of
Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES).
Under the scheme, financial support is provided to PhD scholars and Young Faculty who are
undertaking research and technology development. The scheme also provides research
infrastructure support to the institutions. The scheme is being implemented in two phases.
The Phase-I of the Scheme was initiated in 2014 for the duration of 9 years with the total outlay
of ₹ 466.00 crore. A total of 1,075 PhD fellowships were awarded across the country. State-wise
distribution of the PhD Fellowships is provided at Annexure-I
The Phase-II of the Scheme has been initiated in 2021 for the duration of 9 years with the total
outlay of ₹ 481.93 crore. A total of 561 PhD fellowships has been awarded till date. State-wise
distribution of the PhD Fellowships is provided at Annexure-II.The year-wise details of funds under both phases, across various budget heads are available on the
scheme portal: https://phd.dic.gov.in/finance-details.
The scheme has supported 171 institutions across the country, including those in Tier 2 and Tier 3
cities. These institutions span a wide spectrum IITs, NITs, IISc, IISERs, Central Universities,
Deemed Universities under Central Government, Institutions of national importance, Universities
created under Provincial Act or State Act, Private Universities, Private Deemed Universities and
Colleges that are allowed to offer PhD.
The PhD scholars under the scheme are pursuing research in emerging technology areas such as
Image Processing, Digital Signal Processing, Pattern Recognition, 3D Printing, 5G
Communication, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, Distributed Computing, Cyber
Security, Green and Sustainable ICT, Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, and
Semiconductor Design. The scheme has led to significant research output with 4,063 research
papers published and 90 patents filed, including 20 granted patents. Scholars have found
placements in academia, industry and government institutions, contributing to the country’s
innovation ecosystem.
To further boost research in emerging technologies, the scheme also includes provisions for Young
Faculty Research Fellowships, enabling young faculty at the academic institutions to pursue
research in emerging technology areas.
******Annexure-I
State-wise Number of PhD Fellowships under Visvesvaraya PhD scheme in Phase-I
S. N. States/Union Territories No. of PhD Fellowships
1 Andhra Pradesh 10
2 Arunachal Pradesh 11
3 Assam 49
4 Bihar 54
5 Chandigarh 11
6 Delhi 136
7 Goa 13
8 Gujarat 25
9 Haryana 8
10 Himachal Pradesh 27
11 Jammu and Kashmir 5
12 Jharkhand 3
13 Karnataka 97
14 Kerala 9
15 Madhya Pradesh 43
16 Maharashtra 84
17 Meghalaya 12
18 Mizoram 0
19 Odisha 11
20 Puducherry 8
21 Punjab 34
22 Rajasthan 37
23 Sikkim 5
24 Tamil Nadu 100
25 Telangana 80
26 Tripura 3
27 Uttar Pradesh 83
28 Uttarakhand 21
29 West Bengal 96
Total 1075Annexure-II
State-wise Number of PhD Fellowships under Visvesvaraya PhD scheme in Phase-II
S.N. States/Union Territories No of Fellowships
1 Andhra Pradesh 16
2 Arunachal Pradesh 10
3 Assam 18
4 Bihar 9
5 Chandigarh 8
6 Chhattisgarh 11
7 Delhi 46
8 Goa 6
9 Gujarat 22
10 Haryana 19
11 Himachal Pradesh 11
12 Jammu & Kashmir 14
13 Jharkhand 13
14 Karnataka 29
15 Kerala 26
16 Madhya Pradesh 39
17 Maharashtra 20
18 Manipur 8
19 Meghalaya 11
20 Mizoram 6
21 Odisha 20
22 Puducherry 10
23 Punjab 40
24 Rajasthan 22
25 Sikkim 2
26 Tamil Nadu 38
27 Telangana 14
28 Tripura 5
29 Uttar Pradesh 32
30 Uttarakhand 13
31 West Bengal 23
Total 561
******