1. Comparative Approach: The study of Indian culture must adopt a comparative approach to understand and challenge European/Colonial descriptions that have persisted for centuries.
2. PhD Fellowship: Students shall be provided with a PhD fellowship for five years.
3. Postdoctoral Fellowship: Students shall be provided with a post-doc fellowship for two years..
4. Selection Process: Selection of PhD and Postdoctoral students are strictly done by using a review and interview process.
5. Advisory and Monitoring Teams: An advisory team comprising eminent scholars will guide faculty and students, monitored by a committee to ensure the quality of research.
6. Annual Meetings: Scholars and supervisors will convene annually for idea exchange and collaboration.
7. Thesis to Book Conversion: Scholars will submit their PhD in the fourth year, followed by developing their theses into books within the subsequent year and a half.

The DIIKSHA Fellowship seeks to:

• Support research proposals for PhD and postdoctoral studies in Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
• Foster the development of scholars equipped to advance IKS scholarship and its practical applications.
• Encourage interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research that bridges IKS with modern methodologies.
• Promote the dissemination of research findings through publications, conferences, courses, capacity building, and public engagement.

To accommodate diverse applicant profiles, DIIKSHA offers three streams for PhD fellowship applications and two streams for Post-Doctoral fellowships.

• PhD Fellowships (Maximum duration - 5 years) through three streams:
  • Supervisor-Initiated Stream:
    • Supervisors with recognized institutions apply to secure funding for a new PhD student under their guidance.
    • Required Documents: Research proposal description, supervisor’s CV, and a detailed recruitment plan for selecting a student (can also be used to select existing PhD students).
    • If approved, the supervisor must recruit a suitable candidate within six months.
  • Prospective Student Stream:
    • Individuals not yet enrolled in a PhD program can apply with a research proposal and intent to join a recognized institution.
    • Required Documents: Research proposal, CV of the applicant, letters of recommendation, and a statement on intended institution and supervisor.
    • Successful applicants must secure admission to a recognized institution within six months of selection.
    • Fellowship will be provided only after securing admission in an appropriate institution.
  • Current Student Stream (Lateral Entry):
    • Currently enrolled PhD students can seek funding for ongoing IKS-related research to support the remaining duration of their research.
    • Required Documents: Research progress report, CV, supervisor’s endorsement, and, if applicable, a revised research proposal.
    • Funding is awarded for the remaining PhD duration, up to a maximum of five years from the PhD start date, with the funding level adjusted based on progress.
• Post-Doctoral Fellowships Two streams are available:
  • Supervisor-Initiated Stream:
    • Supervisors from recognized institutions can apply to secure funding for a postdoc position in their research group.
    • Required Documents: Research proposal description, supervisor’s CV, and a detailed recruitment plan for selecting a student.
    • If approved, the supervisor must recruit a suitable candidate within six months.
  • Individual Stream:
    • Applicants must hold a PhD in a field relevant to Indian Knowledge Systems.
    • Postdoc aspirants can apply directly with a research proposal with prospective host institutions and supervisors.
    • Required Documents: Research proposal, CV of the applicant, letters of recommendation, and a statement on intended institution and supervisor.
    • Successful applicants must secure admission to a recognized institution within six months of selection.

All applicants must demonstrate a strong commitment to IKS and the ability to conduct rigorous research.

DIIKSHA invites proposals exploring any facet of Indian Knowledge Systems, including:

1. आन्वीक्षिकी विभाग / Vedic Philosophical and Cognitive Sciences
2. इतिहास एवं सभ्यता विभाग / Historical and Civilizational Sciences
3. लौकिकशास्त्र विभाग / Contemporary Social / Cultural Sciences
4. गणित-भौत-ज्यौतिष विभाग / Mathematical, Physical and Astronomical Sciences
5. वाग्विभाग / Speech and Linguistics
6. राजनीति एवं अर्थशास्त्र विभाग / Political, Economic and Strategic sciences
7. भैषज्य एवं आरोग्य विभाग / Medical and Health sciences
8. द्रव्य-गुण-संयोग विभाग / Culinary, Nutritional and Pharmacological Sciences
9. कृषि एवं पशुपाल्य विभाग (वार्ता विभाग / Agricultural Science, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry
10. गांधर्व विभाग / Performing Arts
11. यांत्रिक एवं नव्य अभियांत्रिकी विभाग / Mechanical & Digital Design & Engineering
12. वास्तु विभाग / Civil and Architectural Science
13. शिल्प-आलेख्य विभाग / Fine Arts and Sculpture
14. रस-धातु विभाग / Chemical, Metallurgical & Material Sciences
15. अलङ्कारादि विभाग / Fashion and Interior Design
16. शैक्षणिक-क्रीड़नीयक विभाग / Edutainment Science

Proposals that integrate IKS with contemporary research approaches or address interdisciplinary questions are especially encouraged.

DIIKSHA provides comprehensive financial support as follows:

• PhD Fellowships:
• Stipend:
• Years 1–2: INR 40,000 per month (Junior Research Fellowship equivalent)
• Years 3–4: INR 50,000 per month (Senior Research Fellowship equivalent)
• Year 5: INR 60,000 per month (Research Associate equivalent)
• Contingency Grant: INR 20,000 per annum for research expenses (e.g., books, software, minor equipment).
• Duration: Up to 5 years total. For lateral entry, funding covers the remaining years, with the starting level determined by the applicant’s current stage
• Conditions:
• Coursework completion by Year 1 (for new students).
• Approved research proposal submission by Year 2.
• Quarterly progress reports.
• Post-Doctoral Fellowships:
• Stipend: INR 80,000 per month.
• Contingency Grant: INR 30,000 per annum.
• Duration: Up to 2 years.
• Conditions: Submission of a detailed research plan and regular progress updates.
• Additional Support: Funding for travel and accommodation to attend the annual IKS conference/IKS workshops may be provided.

The stipend is a consolidated amount covering HRA and research-related costs. The contingency grant excludes travel expenses, which are separately funded for conference and workshops (organised by IKSHA) participation.

Kindly submit your application to DIIKSHA through diiksha@theiksha.org Proposals are reviewed quarterly in March, June, September, and December, with decisions communicated within two months of each review.
Approved projects must commence within six months, as mutually agreed.

1. Proposal Cover Sheet: 1 page, detailing:
• Applicant information
• Proposal title
• Abstract (max 250 words)
• Application stream
2. Research Proposal Narrative: Max 8 pages, including:
• Research question and its significance
• Current state of research in the field
• Theoretical frameworks and methodologies
• Work plan and timeline
• Expected outcomes
• Justification for funding
3. IKS Relevance Statement: Max 3 pages, addressing:
• Why the proposal qualifies as IKS research
• Contributions to IKS advancement
• Novel or unique aspects
• Related IKS disciplines (see section 4)
• Potential collaborators
• Outreach and engagement plans
4. Curriculum Vitae: For the applicant and supervisor (if applicable).
5. Letters of Recommendation: Minimum of two from academic referees (for student applications).
6. Institutional Endorsement: For current students and supervisor applications, a letter from their institution confirming enrollment and support.
7. Work Plan and Timeline: A detailed schedule, ideally as a Gantt chart (timeline with milestones).

Stream-Specific Requirements

• Prospective Students: Statement on intended institution and supervisor.
• Current Students (Lateral Entry): Research progress report and supervisor’s endorsement.
• Supervisors: Recruitment plan for the PhD/Post-Doctoral candidates.

Formatting Guidelines

All documents must be:

• Double-spaced
• Font: 11-point Times New Roman
• Margins: 1-inch
• Page Numbers: Bottom right corner

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

1. Originality and Significance: Addressing a key gap or question in IKS with innovative perspectives.
2. Methodological Rigor: Use of robust and appropriate research methods.
3. Feasibility: Realistic scope and achievable milestones.
4. Impact: Potential to advance IKS through scholarly or practical outputs.
5. Applicant’s Qualifications: Evidence of skills and dedication to IKS research.
6. Alignment with IKSHA’s Mission: Relevance to IKSHA’s goals of promoting IKS.

The evaluation process involves a rigorous peer review by IKSHA’s internal committee, with external experts consulted as needed.
Applicants may be required to revise their proposals or provide additional details based on reviewer feedback.

Recipients, designated as “DIIKSHA Research Fellows,” are expected to:

• Submit quarterly progress reports and an annual summary.
• Present their research at the annual IKS Academic Conference or other designated events.
• Produce at least two peer-reviewed journal publications (or equivalent outputs, such as courses, manuals, patents, or products) by the end of the funding period.
• Participate in IKSHA-organized workshops, mentoring, and networking events.
• Acknowledge IKSHA’s support in all publications and presentations.
• Adhere to ethical research standards.

PhD Milestones (adjusted for lateral entry):

• Year 1: Complete coursework (new students only).
• Year 2: Submit approved proposal; present one conference paper and a book review.
• Year 3: Submit one review paper and one journal paper.
• Year 4: Publish one paper, submit another, finalize thesis, and present at two conferences.
• Year 5: Publish a second paper, submit thesis, and conduct an outreach workshop.
• Any other specific outcomes beyond those listed must be clearly stated before commencement of the fellowship.

Post-Doctoral Expectations:

• Emphasis on high-quality publications, conference presentations, and contributions to IKS dissemination.
• Ideally, completion of a book based on the thesis.
• If not a book, then:
• Three high-quality peer-reviewed papers.
• Preparation of credit-worthy courses based on the undertaken work.
• Desirable: Some popular IKS content for outreach in different forms.
• IKS Content generation in Indian languages is highly encouraged.

DIIKSHA Research Fellows will receive:

• Quarterly progress review meetings.
• Participation in the annual IKS Sangama/ Academic Conference.
• Access to workshops and joint supervisor-student sessions.
• An annual mentoring network event during IKS Sangama/ Academic Conference to connect prospective students with supervisors.
• Support for creating outreach materials (e.g., podcasts, manuals, courses).

DIIKSHA does not support:

• Political or lobbying activities.
• Grants to individuals outside PhD or postdoctoral programs.
• For-profit entities.
• Student support or tuition fee programs.
• Creative arts projects unless tied to IKS research.
• Endowments, fundraising, or infrastructure projects.
• Fieldwork not linked to a broader IKS research proposal.