Applications are invited for the award of 10 NCERT Doctoral Fellowships in the field of education and other disciplines directly related to education
Objectives of the scheme: To provide opportunities to young scholars to research the field of education from different disciplinary perspectives
To build the knowledge base of education in the contemporary context, Scope of the Scheme
The NCERT Doctoral Fellowships are intended to enable young scholars to pursue doctoral research in education and other related disciplines
Doctoral Fellows can pursue their work in a recognized university/ research institution of their choice
The NCERT encourages original thinking in conceptualization of the problem and use of innovative methodology in conduct of the research related to school education
Priority areas: Fellowships will be given in the following priority areas emerging from the concerns expressed in NCF-2005
Education of the disadvantaged: Disadvantages of different kinds because of belonging to scheduled and backward castes, scheduled tribes, and minority communities, and due to gender, disability, and living in difficult circumstances
Classroom processes and practices: Multi-grade teaching, over-crowded schoolrooms, medium of instruction, languages used in the class, teaching learning process, teacher concerns, evaluation practices, disciplinary techniques, and space and time management
Curricular areas: Teaching of Science, Mathematics, Languages, Social Sciences, Arts and Crafts, Work and Vocational Education, Environmental Sciences, and Health and Physical Education
Education for peace: Conflict and its resolution in different spheres, problem of violence, respect for cultural diversity, values for living in harmony with people and nature, child rights, and sustainable development
Psycho-social Development of Children: Development of self, relationships and social skills, understanding and cognitive skills, communication skills, leadership, decision making, and coping with stress
Details of these areas and concerns are presented in the National Curriculum Framework 2005 document and reports of 21 Focus Groups
These documents are available on NCERT web site www.ncert.nic.in
Eligibility: Good academic record with at least 55% marks at the Master’s degree level
Candidates should not be more than 35 years of age as on the last date of receipt of applications
Candidates registered for Ph.D degree in a recognized university/ or working toward their Ph.D registration are eligible to apply
Selection procedure: The procedure for short listing of applicants will be designed by NCERT
Short listed candidates will be required to appear for an interview, which may also include presentation of the proposals
Candidates will be paid second (sleeper) class train fare by the shortest route for attending the interview-cum-seminar
Fellowship amount: NCERT Doctoral Fellows will receive a fellowship of Rs 12,000/- per month (equivalent to UGC Junior Research Fellows) for a maximum period of three years during the period of registration
They will also receive a contingency grant of Rs 10,000/- per annum during this period
The fellowship will commence from the date of joining by the candidate after completing the registration formalities for Ph.D and terminate at the end of three years from the date of joining or with the submission of the doctoral thesis which ever is earlier
Disbursement of fellowship: The NCERT will credit the monthly fellowship to the savings bank account of the Fellow
For this, each Fellow will be required to maintain an account with the state bank of India
The Fellow will be required to submit a certificate of attendance and satisfactory work performance to NCERT on a quarterly basis
Release of the monthly fellowship from second quarter onwards will be subject to receipt of the said certificate
Annual contingency grant to the extent of actual expenditure incurred but not more Rs 10,000/- per annum will be credited to the account of the Fellow after receipt and scrutiny of the bills/vouchers submitted by the fellow duly signed and countersigned by the supervisor and Head of the Department
Research advisor: NCERT will appoint a Research Advisor for each Doctoral Fellow from a Panel of Experts (both from within and outside the council) prepared by it
The research advisor will work along with the thesis supervisor appointed by the University/ Research Institution where the Fellow is registered
The details of this arrangement will be worked out in consultation with the concerned universities
Monitoring of work: Doctoral Fellows will be required to submit six monthly progress reports duly forwarded by their supervisors/ Head of the Department and Research Advisors to NCERT
A committee of experts will review the progress
Also a research colloquium will be held annually where Fellows will present the progress of their research
If the progress of the research is found unsatisfactory, NCERT reserves the right to terminate the fellowship at any point of time
Leave Rules: Leave rules as prescribed in case of UGC Junior Research Fellowship will be applicable. Further, NCERT Doctoral Fellows will not accept any other remunerative assignment during the period of fellowship
Publication of the Thesis: After the award of Ph.D degree, the Doctoral Fellows will be required to submit a copy of the thesis (along with a CD) to NCERT
NCERT will consider publication of the completed research in an appropriate form. The Fellow can apply for permission to publish his/her work elsewhere
Application procedure: Application should be made in the prescribed format, which along with the information brochure can be downloaded from the NCERT website or can be obtained by post
Completed application forms should be accompanied by a concept paper of about 1500 words on the theme of the proposed research, which should contain statements about (a) rationale and objectives of the study, (b) conceptual framework, (c) proposed methodology, and (d) potential contribution of the study
Attested copies of all mark sheets/certificates and proof of Ph.D registration (if already registered) should also be sent with the application at the following address
Head, Department of Educational Research and Policy Perspectives, National Council of Educational Research and Training, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016
Last date of receiving completed applications: 25th April, 2011
For details visit www.ncert.nic.in