AIRSA has written to the Department of Science and Technology and said that the demand was to increase the Research Scholar Fellowships by 60% and a 19.4% hike in Indian research scholarship fellowships is unacceptable to the PhD scholars.
All India Research Scholars Association (AIRSA) has written to the Department of Science and Technology to request an urgent meeting on an unacceptable current hike in research scholar fellowships. The Association is demanding to increase the fellowships by 60%.
"Unacceptable 19.4% hike in Indian research scholar fellowships. We demand a 60% fellowship hike! @AIRSA is calling for a meeting to address this issue and support our scholars. A Black Day for Indian Research Scholars We demand a 60% increase to ensure fair standards," reads AIRSA's tweet.
DST India recently increased the PhD Research Fellowship stipend for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), Senior Research Fellowships (SRF), Research Associates (RA1), RA2, and RA3.
"While we appreciate the efforts made by the DST to address the financial needs of research scholars, we regret to inform you that the proposed amount falls significantly short of the fair and reasonable increase of 60% that we demand," reads AIRSA letter.
The Association has demanded an urgent meeting to discuss the matter in detail. AIRSA demanded to schedule a meeting within two days else they warned of a peaceful protest within a few weeks.
"While we firmly believe in peaceful advocacy, we must caution that the situation could become volatile and pose risks to the well-being of all stakeholders involved. We urge you to take this warning seriously and take immediate action to avert any such unfortunate circumstances," added the letter.
The government has approved increasing emoluments for JRF/SRF/RAs engaged in Research & Development activities whereby they will receive the revised fellowships w.e.f January 1, 2023. The JRF stipend has increased by 19% from Rs 31000 to Rs 37,000, SRF amount increased to Rs 42,000, RA 1 - Rs 58000, RA 2 - Rs 61000, and RA 3 - Rs 63000.
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