The All India Research Scholars Association (AIRSA) has formally urged the government to include PhD scholars in discussions for the upcoming 8th Pay Commission . AIRSA sent a letter to Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology. The association also called for the creation of sustainable career pathways for PhD holders after graduation.
Currently, PhD scholars supported through Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) schemes receive a monthly stipend of Rs 37,000 . AIRSA highlighted that these scholars remain excluded from national pay and policy discussions, despite their significant contributions to research.
The Role of Research Scholars
Research scholars are a critical component of India’s knowledge economy. A PhD represents the highest academic qualification in the country. Achieving this requires years of intensive intellectual labor, substantial research output, and often includes teaching responsibilities. Scholars are expected to conduct cutting-edge research during their most productive years, typically between 25 and 30 years of age.
These individuals frequently operate under significant financial, social, and psychological pressure. AIRSA emphasized that “Research is not a hobby.” Doctoral scholars contribute directly to India’s scientific capacity, its innovation ecosystem, and its policy knowledge base.
Challenges and Structural Issues
Doctoral scholars face multiple long-standing structural issues. These include a limited number of available academic positions post-PhD. There is also no clear or structured policy for absorbing PhD holders into the workforce after graduation. AIRSA noted a widening gap exists between industry demands and academic research outcomes.
Scholars invest years in acquiring specialized expertise. This expertise often leads to uncertain career stability after completing their doctorate. This lack of certainty poses a risk to India’s future research landscape.
AIRSA’s Demands
AIRSA outlined several key demands to the government:
- Revisit and restructure PhD stipend amounts. These revisions should align with current inflation rates, the workload of scholars, and national research priorities.
- Include research scholars directly in national pay policy discussions. This ensures their financial needs and contributions are formally recognized.
- Develop clear, sustainable post-PhD career pathways. These pathways must span various sectors, including academia, industry, policy-making, and research administration.
Impact of Neglect
AIRSA warned that continued disregard for research scholars could deter future generations. Neglecting these issues may discourage students from pursuing advanced research. This occurs at a time when India actively seeks to strengthen its global standing in science, technology, and innovation. The association stated that if pay commissions can revise salaries, PhD stipends must also be included in such deliberations. Similarly, if recruitment policies are framed, a clear roadmap for PhD holders after graduation is necessary.