Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES], located in Nainital, Uttarakhand, India, offers several scholarship and fellowship opportunities aligned to merit, need, and intensive fee waivers for advanced research students. These primarily support candidates at the Ph.D., Integrated M.Tech.-Ph.D., and post-doctoral levels, providing substantial financial assistance, research grants, and travel support to encourage high-quality research in Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Atmospheric Sciences.
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Scholarships Overview
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Eligibility
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Required Documents
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Application Process
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Scholarship Details
- Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Additional Notes
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Scholarships Overview
ARIES scholarships and fellowships are intended to recognize academic excellence, support high-potential researchers, and alleviate financial burdens for eligible candidates. Monthly waivers and stipends often cover full living expenses, research contingencies, and sometimes travel. Typical benefits include:
Merit-based waivers via competitive exams (JEST, NET, GATE, INSPIRE, etc.), leading to junior/senior research fellowships
Need/EWS-based support generally as per government rules, with income thresholds set by external funding norms
Category-based opportunities including targeted fellowships for women, junior researchers, and post-docs; limited project-specific awards
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Eligibility
Eligibility is centered on academic record, performance in relevant national tests, and, where applicable, age or income cutoffs. Requirements frequently include a minimum percentage in M.Sc. or equivalent, typically above 55% for general/OBC and 50% for SC/ST. Candidates must often have a valid JEST, GATE (percentile ≥ 95), CSIR or UGC NET qualification. For some post-doctoral and training awards, a Ph.D. degree in a relevant field is mandatory, and fellowship schemes may stipulate an upper age limit (usually 28–35 years).
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Required Documents
Applicants to ARIES scholarships must submit standard academic and identification records to establish eligibility. Typical documentation includes:
Academic transcripts (M.Sc./B.Tech./Ph.D. degrees and mark sheets)
Scorecards for JEST, GATE, NET, or INSPIRE (as applicable)
Age/barrier certificates (as required by specific awards)
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Proof of category/income/certificate (for reserved/EWS/special awards)
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Application Process
The scholarship application process occurs during admission cycles or is announced with project recruitments. Applications are usually submitted online via the ARIES portal or by email, as specified in notifications. Attention to detail is essential—deadlines are strict, and incomplete/incorrect documentation leads to disqualification. Some awards (e.g., post-doctoral fellowships) accept applications year-round, but selection interviews occur at fixed intervals.
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Scholarship Details
The following table summarizes verified ARIES scholarships, eligibility criteria, and core benefits. Final award decisions are made upon successful completion of selection processes and subject to seat/project availability.
Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Benefit | Notes (if any) |
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
(ISRO-ARFI Project, Ph.D. stream) | M.Sc. Physics/Astrophysics (Gen/OBC: 55%, SC/ST: 50%)
Valid JEST, GATE (≥95 percentile), or CSIR/UGC NET; Age ≤ 28 years | INR 37,000/month stipend, upgradable to INR 42,000/month as SRF; up to 5 years tenure | Selection via interview; periodical assessment for SRF promotion |
Aryabhatta Post-Doctoral Fellowship (APDF) | Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics or Atmospheric Science (age ≤ 32)
Open to Indian citizens and select foreign nationals | INR 75,000/month; Research Grant INR 5 lakh/year
Additional travel grant; accommodation on campus | Initial 2-year term, extendable by 1 year upon review |
Post-Doctoral Researcher Fellowship | Ph.D. thesis submitted in relevant disciplines (awaiting award); age ≤ 35 | INR 42,000/month; medical and hostel benefits | Tenure up to 1 year, HRA if off-campus |
Standard ARIES Research Fellowships (M.Tech./Ph.D. streams) | M.Tech., M.Sc., or B.Tech. as per program; valid national-level exam scores for research admissions | INR 20,000–42,000/month stipends (varies by role: M.Tech./JRF/SRF) | As per Department of Science & Technology (DST) rules |
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences - [ARIES] Additional Notes
Continuation and renewal of scholarships/fellowships at ARIES is strictly conditional upon maintaining a minimum CGPA as set by the institute, regular attendance, and satisfactory progress reports from supervisors. Fellowships may not be combined with other government scholarships except as specifically permitted. There are limited seats and annual quotas for each scheme, and non-compliance with research conduct, deadlines, or reporting standards can result in fund withdrawal or non-renewal for the subsequent academic year.