[20 minute reading time. 20 minute digesting the answers provided]

1. Frequently asked questions by (existing) IITB PhD students on the lateral entry  PMRF fellowship. Some information on direct entry also appears here.
2. Before you ask any questions, please read these notes very, very carefully, the central pmrf.in faq and then try to fill the live form (which you can do any number of times without any penalty whenever it becomes available).  Don’t ask questions without trying the live form. If you still find a question unanswered, the chances are that you have not done your homework.
3.  If you still have a question, talk to your supervisor. If you still have a question try this query form (but before that check with your RS representative and/or other people in your own boat). Also prior answers (see below) to individual questions may apply to you too!  [Add 20 minutes to go through these!]
4. Questions already answered (directly or indirectly) either through this FAQ or through the live form or through prior student questions will be ignored.  

Q: (Basic eligibility) Who is eligible for lateral entry?  

A:  You should satisfy all of the following filters

1. (Time filter): If you have “postgraduate” equivalent qualifications and joined the PhD program one year before the date of application, then you are normally eligible. (This is called lateral entry into the PMRF scheme.)  (For those with undergraduate qualifications, read that as  “two years”). Don’t worry about corner cases like one month mismatch.  
2. (Course Filter) Completed (credited) at least four full semester courses in the PhD programme with CPI of 8.5 or above. If more than four courses are completed, the CPI is across all courses. Seminar, Research, and RnD “1-1 courses” do not count towards this “course'' requirement. A full course at the very least is at least 6 (IITB) credits, and temporally  runs throughout the semester (or at least has enough hours equivalent to a standard semester), so a so-called lab course might well work (or not!).
3. (No other commitment filter) Intend to be a full time doctoral student (with no commitments,  strings attached to any entity) (similar to MHRD TA students).

Q: Hmmn, er.. That was basic eligibility.  What is “advanced eligibility”?

A:  It’s awkward.  It’s for those who join into programs other than the straight shot PhD program. See this #eligible (but keep in mind that the basic eligibility -- “time, course, and no-other” -- applies.

#applicationProcess

Q. Is there a central portal where I can apply?

A:  Yes and No. The live form link will show up when relevant. Your department may issue separate guidelines on how to submit your application  in addition to the live form. Once your department approves the application, you are eligible to get an invitation from the central portal (for all applicants across the country).

Live form for submitting applications. Data sent to the final selection panel will come from here.

Q. What is the deadline?

A: In 2020, the deadline was July 15, 2020 (or thereabouts) for the lateral entry.  For 2021, the deadline is around Feb 1.

Q. When will the interviews for PMRF be held?

A. There were no interviews in the 2020 season.

Q: How will the decisions be made?

A: First your department will shortlist applicants. Next, A central committee (outside IITB) will look at your application dossier.  The specification of which committee appears in the live form.

Q: Ok, so what does the dossier contain?

A:  This depends on the department but normally, it would include a subset of these

• demographic data, academic CPI within IITB, date of joining the Phd Program, PhD supervisor, and the following documents in PDF format
• one page CV (chronologically list all activities in the last 5 years)
• statement of purpose (or equivalently a research proposal)
• research experience or internship experience (or both)
• list of publications in canonical format (peer reviewed journals followed by peer reviewed conference  followed by non-peer reviewed manuscripts/arxiv.org publications and similar).  This document should “hyperref” to a clickable source on the Internet.  
• A declaration that all statements are true to the best of the knowledge of the candidate
• Strong letter of recommendation from the supervisor.

Q: Hmn. Er. I just joined, I don’t have some (all) of these

A: Never mind, others are in a similar boat.  Do what you can.

Qv1.4: What is the format of the documents such as “research proposal”?

A: It depends on the department, guide and you.  December 2019  edition had some information that has clues, but we really don’t know at this stage.  Not to worry: right now submit what it takes to get shortlisted, and shortlisted candidates will be given an opportunity (if necessary) to modify the dossier.

Q: I don’t have a supervisor yet. What to do?

A:  You really should get a supervisor soon! Till then your faculty advisor or Head of department can give a recommendation.

Qv1.5: The supervisor/Head/faculty member does not want to submit the recommendation letter to me.  What to do?

A: In this case submissions can be made here.  However, you must submit your reference identity string that you would have created in the live form, so do that first.

Q: I am a PhD. student and my department's website has no information regarding the application procedures for this scheme. How should I apply for this and submit the documents?

A: Heads of departments have been informed of the application process.  So watch out for emails.

#Gotit!!

Q: How long will I get the fellowship?

A: At most 5 years since the joining date, regardless of when you applied.  Also see this (draft) document. Also see this.

Q: Will I get retroactive fellowship?

A: No.

Q: Will my fellowship be stopped in the future?

A: Unlikely if you perform competently in the annual reviews being setup.  Note also the requirement that you need to “teach” in a local college/polytechnic/institute once a week.  (Your department will certify these as per their guidelines.)

Q: What if I quit halfway?

A: Don’t please.

Q: If my PMRF fellowship is stopped, will I get back my TAship?

A: No.

Q: Am I required to do TA duty if I had a TAship?

A: Yes, regardless of whether you had a TAship.  Department guidelines may vary.

Q: What portion of the fellowship amount of INR 70,000 per month is taxable?

A: You have to check with a Chartered Accountant or tax expert.

Q. I am a PhD student in Institution A, can I get lateral entry PMRF in some other Institution B?

A. No. You will get PMRF for continuing your PhD in Institution A only.

Q: Are other top-up fellowship/monetary awards permitted?

A: No.

#eligibility, corner cases, and so on.

See this first.

Q: What is the treatment of M.Sc students for the time filter?

A: Same as M.Tech student (i.e., not as B.tech students).   All lateral

entry candidates with MS/MSc/MTech degree get 12 months only for lateral

entry.  Note that educational requirements that IITB insists is different from the time filter for PMRF lateral.

Q: What is the treatment of the time filter for the integrated Masters-PhD programme?

A: If you joined an integrated masters-phd programme, you are deemed to have joined the PhD program two years after entry.

Q: What is the treatment of course work for M.Tech (2 year programme) who converted to a joint Ph.D. programme?

A:  These students are deemed to also have joined two years after entry, even though the first APS for these students can be as early as October after the year of entry.  So they can apply  as early as 1.5 years after the join date with their M.Tech course work. However, the course work requirements ("four full courses after deemed PhD students") is applicable should they decide to apply after 2 years.

Q: What is the treatment of course work requirements for an integrated Masters+Phd programme?

A: Courses undergone as Masters students may be applicable as per department.  Integrated students are eligible to apply only after becoming PhD students.

Q: Oh, so the treatment for integrated masters and converted masters is different?

A:  Yes (written for the July 2020 cohort)

• First, note that  PhD students who joined in July 2017 with a non-Masters degree qualification are not eligible in the 2020 round.
• Unlike the M.Tech converted students, the number of credits to be completed after deemed as a PhD student does not apply (for integrated masters) because the total number of credits completed is substantially higher.  Integrated students enter a program after 3 years of post-high school education and are not research ready.  In that sense, they are similar to B.Tech students only a year later.

In comparing different types of students, It is important to keep in mind that the purpose of the PMRF program is for attracting "early researchers". At this time people well entrenched in the PhD programme definitely are more research productive, such students can easily "defeat" early researchers in the lateral entry.  Indeed, in early years, lateral entry did not even exist.  

Q: I joined as M.Tech RA student and converted to PhD. I satisfy the (time filter). Due to conversion it wasn't necessary to do courses again. Am I eligible for this fellowship?

A: Since you do not fulfill the (course filter), you are ineligible.  (If it is some comfort, note that many M.Tech students also would have done the courses elsewhere (and are required to do courses during the PhD program).

Q: Sir, I am a DD/Master student.  Am I eligible for PMRF?

A: Master’s student should apply to the  PhD and apply under the direct entry if eligible.  

Q. How many times can I apply for PMRF Lateral Entry ?

A. At most twice.

Q: Are there any disciplines excluded?

A: The scheme is meant for areas in science and technology.

Q: Reservation quotas?

A: None.

Q: I was admitted under "part-time" category.  Am I eligible?

A: You should satisfy the no-commitment-filter i.e. you should be able to detach yourself from all other commitments and be ready to complete research full-time.

Q: I was admitted under a project funded category (e.g. to an external university or project).  Am I eligible?

A: You should satisfy the no-commitment-filter i.e. you should be able to detach yourself from all other commitments and be ready to complete research full-time.  Your project supervisor or admission terms may not allow you.

Q: The minimum credit requirement for our department is X. I, like many other PhDs in our institute have done X≤Y<4 full courses. Am I eligible?

A: No. PMRF is for exceptional students and we suggest you update Y to make it 4. That said, we have put in a request to reduce Y from 4 to a smaller number.

Qv1.2: But, but,  but ..  the department said only X < 4 courses are required?

A: True, but as a PMRF fellow, the intent is to have you distinguish yourself compared to your peers. The research proposal is one, the course requirement is another. Besides this four course requirement is not a requirement coming in from IITB.

Qv1.2: Why is seminar not included as a full course?

A: What is a full course? Seminars are independent study 1-1 courses and do not carry 6 credits. At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, the PMRF is for exceptional students. One might ask, why not the communication skills course.  

Q: Is the communication skills included in the basket of 4 eligible courses? Sure, it’s P/NP but we can always count the CPI from the other 3 courses.

A: No, it’s not a graded course.

Q: Can audit courses be counted in the basket of 4 eligible courses?

A: No, it’s not a graded course.

Q: If there are different eligibility requirements across the institutes, and the PMRF body which one will apply?

A: The stricter version of (IITB, Published Norms) are to be taken

Qv1.2: In the answer to the question "Who is eligible?", it is mentioned that CPI would be calculated on all the four courses or more taken by the student. It would be very beneficial if the criteria of 8.5 CPI is calculated on maximum marks obtained in four courses, out of the total courses completed by the student.

A: Here we are bound by the stricter rules of the PMRF scheme.  At the risk of sounding like a stuck record, the PMRF scheme expects exceptional students.

Qv1.2: I have already credited 3 courses last sem. I'm auditing 2 courses this sem. Can I convert one course as credit with the recommendation of supervisor and course instructor

A: That’s upto you and the department/institute. At the time of application you should have sufficient courses and CPI

Qv1.2: I have a CPI of 8.4 in last semester (3 courses). I took 4 more courses this semester and expecting better grades this time based upon my performance. Hopefully, the aggregate CPI shall be > 8.5. But the final grades shall not be out until mid-june (the same time mentioned as a tentative deadline for application). Can I apply?

A: At the time of application you should have sufficient courses and CPI

Qv1.2: I completed my MTech from IIT Bombay in 2017, applied for PhD back here after 2yrs work exp and got into IIT in Aug 2019. Am I eligible for PMRF 'direct entry' ?

A: No.

Qv1.3: Sir, can we apply using both the direct and lateral entry?

A: No.

#misc

Qv1.2: Should I directly contact my Faculty Advisor/Guide for recommendation?

A: You should discuss with your supervisor

Qv1.2: Is there an upper seat limit per department/ institute for PMRF?

A: Yes (per institute), but just assume you will not be impacted by this.

Qv1.3: What is the weightage of prior publications?

A:  There is no pre-declared weightage.

Qv1.3: Sir department  will float any form to apply .. or any central form will be there

A: Every department will have its process but see the guidelines above.

Qv1.3: If there is no interview for direct intake to PMRF this year, what is the procedure for direct intake ?

A: Same review process as lateral entry except that the application is “tagged” as “direct entry”. Do remind your department!

Qv1.3: Can a student who joined PhD with fellowship offered by IITB Monash Academy convert the same to PMRF ? Will the duration for completing PhD be 4 years as per the IITB Monash academy's norms or will it be 5 years ?

A: No at this time, but it is up for review. Don’t forget that there are IP restrictions with the academy that might collide with PMRF.  Also see all the terms of PMRF (such as the teaching requirement).

Qv1.3: I am a first year phd student joined in December 2019.does PMRF scheme will cover internships in foreign countries?

A: It’s up to the department and guide.  See the previous question.

Qv1.3: I want to ask that if there is/are any bonds regarding to any of the following scenarios: If required to Change the Research topic. If required to quit PhD in between (in case if it happens to someone).

A: No to the first.  Regarding the second, probably not.  Will update if there is any change.

Qv1.3: I am a final year ESE student. My question is: is project proposal needed for direct entry

A: No, but it helps.

Qv1.3: I am not a citizen of India. Can I apply for PMRF?

A: No (sorry), but check out asean

Qv1.4: Who will make the final decision?

A: A sub-committee made up of experts in each discipline as per the table below will recommend.

Q: I don’t have a question on this document, but I have a suggestion on the selection process.
Q:  I want to “like” (upvote) this document :)

A: Please submit the form.  Thank you.