Introduction Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India initiated “Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT” in the year 2014 with an objective to enhance the number of PhDs in Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services (IT/ITES) sectors in the country. The Visvesvaraya scheme is named after Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya Ji, a renowned Indian engineer, statesman and Bharat Ratna Awardee (1955). “Phase-II of the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT” was launched in 2021 for a period of nine years with a total estimated cost of Rs. 481.93 crore. The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics & IT empowers scholars to explore, research, innovate and shape the future of technology and faculty to pursue world-class research, fueling India’s journey towards becoming a global tech leader. Target As part of Phase I , the PhD seats were allocated to 97 institutions (IITs, NITs, Central & State Universities etc.) in 25 states and 4 Union Territories. The target was to support 3,000 additional PhD scholars (1,000 Full-Time + 2,000 Part-Time) in ESDM and IT / ITES sectors. The 2nd phase of the scheme has the following targets. 1000 Full Time PhD Candidates. 150 Part Time PhD Candidates. 50 awardees of Young Faculty Research Fellowship. 225 awardees of Post-Doctoral Fellowship. Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme ensures Seat allocation in PhD programs, Financial support for research, and transparent admission process. How It Works? Institution requests for seats. Authority approves allocation of seats PhD candidates enhance research ecosystem in ESDM/IT-ITES Candidates successfully complete PhD Who Can Join? Institutions: For PhD research in the areas of ESDM/ IT-ITES, PhD seats(Full/Part Time) are allocated to the eligible institutions. PhD Candidates: PhD aspirants are enrolled by the supported institutions on the allocated seats. Young Faculty: 'Young Faculty Research Fellowship' is awarded to young faculty members involved in R&D in areas of ESDM or IT-ITES Post-Doc Candidate: Post-Doc Fellowships are awarded to eligible candidates involved in R&D in the areas of ESDM or IT-ITES. Eligibility Criteria The minimum requirement for the Institutions/Universities, Research Centers, etc., for being eligible to receive grants under the scheme is compliance with the UGC’s minimum standards and procedures for the award of M.Phil./PhD Degree, Regulation, 2009 (ref. The Gazette of India, July 11, 2009, Part III, sec 4) as amended from time to time. All institutions falling into the following seven categories are eligible to participate in the scheme and receive grants: Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs) National Institutes of Technologies (NITs) Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) Central Universities Deemed Universities under Central Government Colleges/Institutions of National Importance Institutions falling into the following six categories are also eligible to participate in the scheme, subject to meeting the additional eligibility criteria as mentioned below: Universities created under a Provincial Act/State Act, State Universities Private Universities Private Deemed to be Universities Colleges that are allowed to offer PhDs Other academic and R&D institutions The Institution should meet the following additional eligibility criteria: The Institution should have an existing postgraduate stream in ESDM/IT/ITES and have produced PhDs in these areas for the last 3 years. The PhD Candidate(s) under this scheme should be admitted as per UGC admission norms. The Institution should be recognized by AICTE and NBA (National Board of Accreditation) accredited with respect to ESDM & IT/ITES Programmes or The Institution should be accredited by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council of UGC). Such an institution would be required to furnish a copy of documents in support of meeting the above-mentioned eligibility criteria to the PhD Cell, MeitY. Frequently Asked Questions related to Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics & IT Web Platform of Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics & IT