Include External Experts In Panel For Upgradation From JRF To SRF: UGC Tells Universities

The UGC has warned that proposals for upgrading without compliance with these guidelines will not be accepted.

Include External Experts In Panel For Upgradation From JRF To SRF: UGC Tells Universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has instructed Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to include an external subject expert in the committee formed for upgrading Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) to Senior Research Fellowships (SRF). The UGC has warned that proposals for upgrading without compliance with these guidelines will not be accepted.

The process for upgrading from JRF to SRF in the "UGC Junior Research Fellowship in Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences" allows research fellows to apply for an upgrade to their department or university after completing two years of JRF. The application will be evaluated by a three-member committee composed of the fellow's supervisor, the head of the department, and an external subject expert. UGC's approval is not required for the upgrade process.

“On completion of the first two years of the award, the fellow may apply to the department/university concerned for the up-gradation of SRF. For this, a three-member committee will be constituted with a Supervisor, Head of the Department and External Subject Expert to evaluate the research work. The Minutes of the constitution of the committee and recommendation of the committee for upgradation may be sent to University Grants Commission. Thereafter, the fellow will be upgraded and designated as SRF. The recommendation of the committee in the prescribed proforma may be submitted to UGC designated agency. The approval from UGC for up-gradation is not mandatory,” said Rajnish Jain, secretary of UGC in the official notice.

“Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) are, therefore, requested to ensure the inclusion of external experts in the committee constituted for the up-gradation from JRF to SRF. Any proposal without complying with the above guidelines for up-gradation from JRF to SRF will not be considered,” reads the notice.

Students can read the official notice from the link below:

UGC Public Notice regarding Up-gradation from Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)