This is a pinned post for prospective faculty to IITs/IISc. Please, please read this site and the old posts, here, here, here, here, here and here also. There are over 1700 comments and replies to these comments in these posts.
Use the search function at the top of the blog or advanced search in google to see whether your comment has already been answered. If you require an answer to your question, post it with a name, initials, pseudonym or anything that is distinguishable.
Please do not post off-topic like queries on student admission here; use the comment section of the IISc admissions below.
301 comments:
1 – 200 of 301 Newer› Newest»I have to write a proposal for the start up grant at an IIX. I have already finished writing about the scientific problems that I intend to address. However I am unsure about how to proceed regarding the 'budget' part etc.
Any inputs will be highly appreciated.
yf
Depending of X, it can vary from 10 lakhs to 100 lakhs.
@yf: Giridhar's prospective faculty webpage has details on how it works at IISc. But it varies a lot from X to X. It is best to consult young colleagues in your department; they would know typical money granted depending on whether you are a theoretical or an experimental researcher.
When I should expect INSPIRE Faculty final results, for candidates applied from abroad? Any one called INSA regarding this?
-PP
i called last monday and was told that the results would be out by this week
Dr Giridhar,
For INSPIRE Faculty how they are comparing different applicants, since applications are from diverse field, and committees are also not specific to the topics. Consider 2 applicants from same field one is of age 27 other is 32. So candidate with age 32 likely to have 4 years of postdoctoral experience. So if candidate of age 27 (fresh PhD), have 5 publications, and candidate with age 32 with 12 publications, so how INSPIRE committee will make their decision? Considering DST/INSA is not peer reviewing proposals.
Thanks,
PP
@Giri and Vishu
Thanks for your answer. I read the section on "start-up proposal " at the "newfaculty@iisc" website.
Now I have a more specific question regarding the same. In the proposal does one has to give a detailed description about how the money is going to be spent. [for ex., do we need to specify things like, "We intend to spend Rs. x on equipment, Rs. y on furniture/travel etc.", ].
The thing is that I may want to spend the money differently if I am lucky to win other fellowships (like Inspire or Ramanujan). In that case I may want to use the start-up grant money fully to buy (a more expensive) equipment, and the smaller fellowship grants for furniture/travel etc.
Are you joining IISc? As I said before, the rules and regulations are different in each place.
In IISc, normally the startup is only for equipment and associated contingency. You can write
Equipment 1. 11 lakhs
Equipment 2. 11 lakhs
Consumables/chemicals. 3 lakhs
Then, if you get money elsewhere, you can reappropriate the amount to other things keeping the total same.
For travel, you can use CPDA, where you have 3 lakhs.
http://www.iitm.ac.in/faculty-opening
Much awaited IITM Advt
@ Giri,
Thanks a lot for your clarification.
I would like to update the status of my INSPIRE related query (few weeks ago). Thanks to all for your kind inputs and suggestions.
After discussion with my host institute and DST, the best deal was to accept the regular position at IIT and avail the research grant (7 lakhs for 5 years) alone from DST. In this case, the host IIT can provide regular benefits (medical, pension, start-up, PDA, relocation, etc.).
I will be joining the new job in a few days. Thanks to Prof. Giridhar for hosting this blog and all the visitors for comments and participation. It has been very helpful.
Best regards,
Chris
Congrats Chris !
May I know which IIT would you be joining by the way ?
thanks
digbijoy
@Chris,
If you have some time, can you please post a "post decision analysis" comparing the pitfals and advantages of availing Inspire/Ramanujan felowships in IIX. It would be very helpful for some of us who may be in a similar situation.
It is very intriguing to me that one cannot avail the benefits of extra salary from Inspire fellowship along with other benefits from IIX's (medical, start-up, PDA, relocation, etc.). My personal view (which does not matter anyway!) is that other than pension, everything else should be doable by the host institutes themselves. The host institutes, in fact, should encourage candidates with such fellowships.
best wishes for your upcoming "joining" and the following first few months!
yf
Prof Giri is one of the best profs in India(irrespective of the field of research). We have to learn to be honest and hardworking like him(students and profs included).
"It is very intriguing to me that one cannot avail the benefits of extra salary from Inspire fellowship"
The inspire fellowship does not provide any extra salary. The salary is same as the asst prof. IITs and IISc does encourage young faculty to get Inspire/Ramanujam i.e., get the research grant from them and salary component from IIT/IISc.
Last anon:
Why this sudden comment?
Any one has any information about results of INSPIRE Institutional mode and direct mode candidates applied from abrode?
@yf
At least in IISc, this what the admin advised me regarding my fellowship. Take the fellowship salary since it was higher (although only 2-3k more than iisc salary), and of course, the contingency. Even with that I should get all regular benefits of a regular faculty of IISc.
They also told me that if regular increments take my salary above that of my fellowship, iisc will compensate for the difference. Or I can tell DBT to stop paying my fellowship salary from the following year.
This is my first month of fellowship, I guess i will know what really happens when I see my pay slip!
Can someone please comment on "per diem" rules of DST?
@Chris
Congratulations..!!
You got the best deal.
Does anyone know about the existence of any "new faculty fellowship" at IITs? I heard that IIT-K gives (or planning to give) Rs. 25,000 pm for first 3 years on the top of salary. Is that true? Will be a big bonus!
@New Faculty Fellowship: I did hear this news about IIT Bombay as well but not sure though. Anyone who have availed this opportunity could explain a bit. It sounds like a good plan :).
There is a 'new faculty fellowship' at IIT Bombay. The new faculty are given 1 lakh per year on top of their salary for the first four years (it used to be three years earlier).
Sorry for the delayed reply, as I was busy moving and joining the new institute.
@ yf
Yes, pension may be the only big difference between a regular and a fellowship appointment. I haven't yet done a post decision analysis.
If you get into a metro-IIX, your salary (incl. HRA) from IIX will be anyways higher than the fellowship. The main attraction of these fellowships are the research grants. Also, different institutes may have their own ways of dealing with the fellowships (regulations) and fellows (integrated into dept. vs. visiting/outsider).
As INSPIRE is relatively new and the eligibility starts from fresh Ph.D. (thesis submitted), some institutions tend to think of the fellowship holder as a postdoctoral fellow rather than a faculty (asst. prof.). This happened in my friend's case when he approached an institute to host him.
My personal view (which also does not matter anyway!) is that these R-fellowships and Inspire should be more like Swarnajayanti, Bhatnagar or J.C.Bose providing extra salary (for regular position holders) than substituting their salary. For those without a position, the salary can be from the fellowship.
@ Ratnesh
Thanks for your wishes! In fact, this deal was first proposed by you in this blog in reply to one of my earlier comments. Thanks.
Regards,
Chris
Hello Chris,
Congratulations for your achievement.Which IIT did you receive call,please share, if possible...
@Chris: :) Its a open forum and we should encourage more such discussion which will allow researchers to take right decision. It will certainly help all stakeholders.
R Fellowships are primarily re-entry program (Reverse Brain Drain) and INSPIRE is created to provide opportunity for young PhDs (with Distinct qualification and publications) to take up scientific positions (Prevent Brain Drain).
However, the guidelines with respect to these fellowships are not clear and Host Institutes are confused. Specific guidelines like Wellcome-DBT should be published and communicated to host institutes to justify the position of the fellows and their benefits.
One good news for the Ramanujan Fellows: Ramanujan Fellows Conclave for policy discussion and networking (Coming soon at IISER Pune)
Yes Ratnesh What you are saying is correct, there is no clear policies regarding INSPIRE and R fellowships, I guess even INSA and DST is not clear what they are doing or there may be poor coordination between these agencies. For INSPIRE there are three modes, but for all modes INSA conducted interviews, technically there is no difference in different INSPIRE modes, then why not to process them together.
DST is playing with Institutional nomination mode candidates form almost a year, results are not yet declared
When will be Ramanujan fellowship results will be announced for the direct mode applications?.
Thanks
Prof Giri,
I am sorry to start off-topic discussion but you have not been replying to my E-mails so I had to do so....
This year in IIT-JEE 2012, I may get in IT-BHU and ISM Dhanbad (All Lines in Dhanbad CSE, ME, EE, ECE) while on the other side I am getting CSE at NUS Singapore. So, which side should I move acc. to you? Presume money is not the matter.
Also, I have read about IISc-NUS Agreements. What is that? Is there any facility of getting direct admission in IISc without GATE if we are NUS Student in UG? If not, what facility does NUS graduates gets from IISc?
Please reply ASAP...
To anon above,
I had no idea that Prof Giridhar is obligated to post replies. I thought he was just volunteering as a noble gesture to guide the undergrads who often need guidance. The comment in this post make me think the other way around.
to anon April 16, 2012 10:35 PM:
firstly, Prof. Madras DOES NOT run a career counseling center... so please understand that answer to career-guidance related questions is a silly thing to demand from him.
Secondly, this blog is more about higher studies, research & people returning to India to join as a faculty in academia than about queries relating to undergraduate studies.
Please don't hijack this thread with UG level queries.
Dear all and especially Chris and Saswata,
I needed a bit of help in applying for the Ramanujan and INSPIRE faculty scheme. I will applying through the institute mode for the latter. I already have offers from two departments in IITB and will be joining one of them for sure. IITB will also be my host institute for these fellowships.
What I would like to know specifically is the following: At a high level, does having a position make you ineligible for the fellowships? Is it ok to apply for these fellowships after accepting the offer? Or should you apply for the fellowship first and thereafter take up the institute offer (since that would also have a deadline)? Or do you have to await the decision of fellowship?
Chris and Saswata: what was the sequence you followed? Appreciate your replies.
@ Ankur,
Congrats again on your offers from IITB. Good to know that you will take up one of them and return to India.
Here are my answers to your questions,
(1) At a high level, does having a position make you ineligible for the fellowships?
Joining in a position may make you unofficially ineligible for a fellowship. I know of many instances where R-fellowships were not offered to candidates who had already returned back and joined in some institutes. Regarding INSPIRE, I do not have any statistics as it is very new.
(2) Is it ok to apply for these fellowships after accepting the offer?
For Ramanujan, many institutes accept to be a host after a candidate has accepted their offer. For INSPIRE, you can apply through institutional mode after accepting the offer. Directly answering, it is ok to apply after accepting the offer.
(3) Or should you apply for the fellowship first and thereafter take up the institute offer (since that would also have a deadline)? Or do you have to await the decision of fellowship?
Refer above. Please do not await for the decision of fellowship. This will take a very long time and they don't tell any date when the results will be out.
(4) What was the sequence you followed?
(i) Applied for a regular faculty position at almost all IIX in Feb 2011.
(ii) Visited India and gave self-invited talks at a couple of IIX in Apr 2011.
(iii) Independently applied for INSPIRE (and also UGC-FRP) through direct mode in Jun-Jul 2011.
(iv) Got interview call at IIT and attended the same in person in Sep 2011. Accepted the offer in Oct 2011.
(v) Got interview call for INSPIRE and once again came down to India (third visit in a year!) to attend in person in Nov 2011. Results declared in Dec 2011. (Thought of applying for Ramanujan and worked on the proposal, but dropped off after INSPIRE was successful).
(vi) Asked the same IIT to host the INSPIRE and official documentations were done in Jan-Feb 2012.
(v) Declined invited visits and interview calls from other IIX in the meantime.
(vi) Joined IIT as faculty in Apr 2012.
Regards,
Chris
What about the results of INSPIRE Faculty Scheme by institutional mode?
Hi Chris,
Thanks for the detailed explaination. It will be very useful for many young faculty aspirants like me who want to return to India.
I have applied for the ramanujan fellowship and expecting interview calls from some IIXs. Your inputs are really helpful.
I am expecting INSPIRE result by end of this week, since last week I called them.
@Ankur: Having a full-time faculty position makes you ineligible for INSPIRE Fellowship. Also most likely you wont be considered for Ramanujam, however, you are eligible for that.
I have experience of both.
Rahul
Thanks so much Chris!
@Rahul, by "having a full-time position" do you mean joining a full-time position or accepting a position?
@Ankur, I recommend you applying for the fellowships with your abroad address, and have it forwarded by your dept/institute and then accept the offer for your permanent position. If IITB mentions in their nomination letter that you have already accepted the offer (you have no idea what they will write), you will loose your eligibility (although these fellowship advertisements don't say that explicitly).
PS: as an aside, these days its becoming increasingly difficult to prove to this blog that I am not a robot!
Hi,
Is there anyone who is selected to receive either Ramanujan or Ramalingaswami Fellowship by applying directly (i.e. without having the application forwarded by an host institution).
Thank you
Rp
@RP
NO. For both R-fellowships you MUST have a host.
I approached/applied 4 institutes for nomination for R fellowship, now 2 institutes nominated me for R fellowship. Is there any problem with my application?
Please guide me regarding this, since initially I approached one institute at a time but many people never used to reply, so I did bulk applications.
What shall I do?
Thanks,
XYZ
Could anyone write, how to find DA, HRA, TA for different cities in India, particularly IITs.
@Ankur
My sequence of events:
I applied through institute X while I was doing postdoc. I got selected while I was doing postdoc. In the meantime, I got an assistant professor offer from IITG. Joined here as an assistant professor and applied to transfer the fellowship from institute X to IITG. After 5 months, the transfer got complete.
Please make sure that you apply for this fellowship before you return to India.
@XYZ
If I were you, I would inform both the departments and Mr Kohli about it, mentioning that you will take the final decision after the results are out. Anyway, changing host is permitted (see above comment).
@Anonn about DA, HRA, TA:
DA is city neutral. At the moment it is 65%.
For HRA and DA see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classification_of_Indian_cities
and the two links in this page.
HRA is 30, 20, and 10% of basic pay in cities of X, Y, Z categories, respectively.
TA is 3200X(1+DA/100) for big cities and 1600X(1+DA/100) for small ones!
Dear Anon@April 20, 2012 1:59 PM
Thanks for the information on DA, HRA, and TA. Appreciate it.
Thanks Vishu, Saswata and everyone who responded.
What is the monthly emolument for INSPIRE faculty position? DST says it is equal to asst. professor salary. Just want to know the actual amount.
INSPIRE monthly fellowship is Rs. 80,000 irrespective of the city. The fellowship will increase by 3.3% every year.
Chris
Posting question here as this thread seems more active:
Does the employment contract with IISc/IITs prohibit faculty members from participating in private tuition or other similar means of income? Say if he engages himself in JEE coaching, is there a conflict of interest with IITs which is a violation of code?
Also how about opening a small private venture as an entrepreneur? Fine as long as the institute knows about it?
Could anyone chip in with information on pension benefits that new IIX faculty is supposed to get?
@Prof. Giri
I remember that you mentioned before that the unspent amount of Ramanujan fellowship research grant can be carried over to the next year. Does one need to take prior permission from DST regarding this, or it happens automatically?
Not to be offensive at all but tutions and JEE coaching. Really! I am sorry if I had a wrong idea about aspiring candidates that they think of research (and perhaps only research).
Any updates abouts INSPIRE results, (applied from abroad/SKYPE interview/ Institutional mode) ?
for inspire faculty fellow results, I was told to contact Dr. P K Prasad, (pramod dot prasad at nic dot in) 011-26590247. But I could never reach him.
Consultancy/teaching is allowed for eight hours a week. Any form has to be approved by the institute. Institute gets 40% as overheads.
Starting of industry is possible. Approval by institute is required. Maybe equity or some other kind of sharing.
Money from last year can be carried over. Approval from DST is required.
TO ALL INDIAN FUNDING AGENCIES/SCIENTISTS AND PROFESSORS IN INDIA WHO ARE INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT FELLOWSHIPS ADMINISTRATIONS:
There are certain fellowships such as INSPIRE which are for young PhDs and candidates who submitted thesis. In such case processing of applications should take less than six months. Since candidates who submitted their thesis cannot wait for >6 months for getting results. If candidate submitted thesis/ finished PhD in India and such cases candidates need to make decision, because getting post-doc position abroad and joining may take in less than 3/4 months (considering time required for getting visa). So is it worth to wait for about a year to get such fellowship positions in India?
If someone is already doing post-doc abroad, in such case six month delay is not an issue. But consider Indian CSIR-SRF in last year (fellowship may get expire in couple of months), such candidate should wait to get result for a year or go abroad for postdoc. Many scientists form US ask for commitment for year or two.
Some one can easily answer this question that candidate should be well prepared, he/she should decide a year before what he should do!!!! But in India most places in last year PhD students are often “out of mind” due to poor structure of PhD in India. Often most scientists are reluctant to tell candidate about “end point of their PhD work”
“Frustrated INDIAN PhD”
Dear Frustrated INDIAN PhD,
I can understand your concern, although my Ph.D. was not from India.
Just FYI, INSPIRE faculty scheme offers a max 18 months visit to national or international lab/university as a part of the award.
One of my fellow INSPIRE awardee has worked-out a deal between his host institute and his current postdoc lab in U.S., that he will officially join the host institute, spend a very short period and leave back to U.S. (for 18 months) to continue his postdoc.
If I were in your place, I wouldn't wait for any fellowship decision to take up a postdoc offer from abroad or within India.
Regards,
Chris
While I agree with Chris's advice, I think the 'Frustrated Indian PhD' is unfair in its criticism of INSA. I applied for INSPIRE. Here is the timeline:
Last date of applcn - July 31, 2011
Acknowl of applcn - 19 Aug 2011
screening of applcn - Oct 3 to Oct 27
interview - Nov 3 to Dec 06
Results - Dec 16
Note, they also agreed to conduct online interview for candidates abroad. But to avoid delaying of results because of online interview (with a new schedule), they first published results for those who appeared for personal interview.
I am sorry. But I find their approach very encouraging and efficient. I have experience with similar programs in some of the most efficient European countries. And I am very happy with INSA's efficiency and response to emails or phone calls.
I had a question. I'm currently a PhD student in Scientific Computing (a degree from the CS department). My work is more on the applied math side of things. When I return to India, I hope to apply to both CS and Math departments for a faculty position. Should I do a post-doc in a CS department or a math department? Does it matter? (okay, that was technically two questions).
@vergere6 I don't think it matters. What matters is how well you do in your postdoc. I think everyone recognizes that disciplines are fairly intertwined and interdisciplinary mobility and cross pollination is inevitable. (I am an optimizer and game theorist, who is doing coding theory as a postdoc and was made an offer by an operations research department)
However, when you apply for faculty positions, apply to all kinds of departments. Don't go by the mere name of the department.
Any one has any information about INSPIRE Faculty results (applied from abroad). I also could not reach a number given above.
Does any one know when the Ramanujan results are announced every year? I vaguely remember it as July and Dec; are those the dates this year?
I have a generic question. What do the universities typically do to help the new faculty members to understand the rules, norms and culture of an university? I other words, does a formal or informal orientation programme exist for new hires? I am here at IIT Guwahati for 6 months and such a programme doesn't exist here. is it the typical situation elsewhere?
@Ankur
Last announcement happened in August 2011.
The last Ramanujan fellowship results were announced in Dec 2011.
The link given in the previous posts used to work before. Now it is not opening.
http://giridharmadras.blogspot.com/2012/02/pinned-post-for-prospective-faculty-to.html
So we may expect Ramanujan results one in middle of the year and one at the end of the year.
Any one from DST can comment on this. It will be very helpful for many aspiring candidates.
@Ankur,
Sorry, the last Ramanujan fellowship announcement indeed happened in December 2011. The one before that happened in August 2011.
Sir i am sorry diverge from the topic of discussion from here.I am currently working in a reputed software company but i dont have interest to work here.I am planning to do an mtech and get into teaching field.i am a 23 year old
What is your advice sir?Will i get a good salary in teaching field??
@Saswata and SKR, thanks!
About orientations: I think some faculty of IITM had compiled a guide for new hires; it appears that IITB also has something of that nature because my offer letter says something to that effect. IISc of course has Prof Madras's website.
I don't know of any (in)formal orientation program as such. But the junior guys at the IITB departments I have joined have been more than helpful in sorting out any queries I had and I think I can count on them for help. I guess it is a good idea for a young applicant to find someone who is his contemporary but a few years senior to get help in sorting things out.
I agree with Saswata's overall drift that an institutional helpline would be ideal. I recall a similar point was raised when we were discussing what happened with Saswata's Ramanujan money, and I had urged Prof Barua to set up something that would help new faculty (or faculty in general) deal with external agencies.
@Ankur,
The slightly senior faculty members are certainly of much help. But, you will soon find out that they are themselves in dark about many things. For example, I am here only for 6 months and some newer recruits now count on me for some advices. You can now imagine the consequences of advices given by an ignorant person.
By the way, I find this website more useful to know something than to contact someone in about my institute. Whom to contact for what purpose also remains a mystery, a fact that you will soon find out.
The key thing is to know who to ask. I have always called Prof. Giri and, if he does not know the answer, he gets the person who knows the answer.
He actually asked the faculty association in 2011 to arrange an orientation programme that will be attended by people in finance, accounts, R&D etc. When the faculty association sent an email to young faculty (< 1 year), apparently only one responded. Therefore, he gave up the idea.
Thus only a few faculty actually like to attend these. This is apparent from the blog. People who have benefited from this blog do not write after they join IIT/IISc. They sit in the faculty club and wonder How Giri has written 300 papers and yet writes a blog..
new_iisc_fac
I realized a typo in my comment above where I say: "IITB departments I have joined" Just want to clarify, I haven't actually joined any IITB department. Looks like my mind was drifting while typing this.
For Ramanujan fellowship: Whether DST conducts any interviews of shortlisted candidates?
NO, DST doesn't conduct any interview for Ramanujan fellowship.
Thanks Saswata!
Dear 'new_iisc_fac', for your comment on May 2, 2012 12:07 AM:
Very true:-)
I am a faculty at IITB who is here since last 9 years and saw very good changes like updating new faculty about institute policy etc. through some one-day workshop organized by institute since last 4-5 years and in every year. Mainly IITB's Dean R&D office is very active and do this orientation for new faculty for research and consultancy projects details every year which is helpful not only for new faculty but for old faculty also to know updates etc. Hence every year there is huge number of attendees. But still more need to be done, like institute's other rules like accommodation etc. are still not so clear to not only for new but for few old faculties also. But reading the other reply, I feel IITB is still in a better position to hold such orientation program for new faculties.
@ Saswata and others,
My IIT also does not have any orientation for the new hires. Most of the time I had to rely on contemporary seniors even for very simple matters. They are also ignorant of things that they had never undergone.
Anyways, I am preparing a list of essential administrative processes (like opening bank account, pension forms, relocation forms, medical check-up, etc.) and how to go about them. Hope to share it with other new hires here.
A word of caution, everything takes much longer time here in India than in other countries and bureaucracy is high. One just needs to realize this fact and be prepared to face it.
Regards,
Chris
Sir,
I have appeared for the interview of M.Mgt at IISc and am wondering when the final selection list will be announced, as there are other colleges first installment payment deadline is nearing.
When will the faculty talks and interviews be scheduled at IIT Gandhinagar? If anyone knows about it (particularly about Mathematics and CS interviews), then please let me know.
When will the faculty talks and interviews be scheduled at IIT Gandhinagar? If anyone knows about it (particularly about Mathematics and CS interviews), then please let me know.
@Chris or any INSPIRE faculty members,
I would like to know more about INSPIRE Faculty scheme. I have applied this time.
1. How are the interviews ?What do they focus?
2. I have mentioned the name of Host institution in the application. But planning to shift to a new place and hence change the host institution. Do they entertain such requests at the time of interview/after selection ? ( I have applied in Nomination mode and NOT in institution mode)
It would be good if you can share your thoughts.
@ SPN,
1. How are the interviews? What do they focus?
I had written about this in detail in an earlier comment (3-4 months ago) in this blog. Shortly, the interviewers focus on the novelty and feasibility of the proposal. Of course, the candidate should also have background knowledge and capability to execute the project.
2. I have mentioned the name of Host institution in the application. But planning to shift to a new place and hence change the host institution. Do they entertain such requests at the time of interview/after selection?
To my knowledge, it is possible to change the host institution after selection (since you did not apply through the institution mode). It may not be good to mention at the time of the interview, but rather after selection once the institution of your choice agrees to host you.
Best wishes for your INSPIRE application!
Chris
@Ankur- Thank you, that's quite reassuring. Thank you also for the advice on applying to a variety of departments; it's certainly what I was hoping to do.
@Chris
Thank you for your detailed response. I will prepare well with my proposal and request for host institution change if got selected.
DST is teaching lessons about “patience in Indian academia” to the INSPIRE applicants. Delays in declaring results are thoughtful efforts of DST to teach entry level scientists in India.
Prof Giri,
Is IISc nominating candidates for INSPIRE Faculty? How many candidates they have nominated in year 2011?
To Ratnesh and other INSPIRE Faculty candidates:
Any one received any email form DST or INSA about results?
Re: INSPIRE application
I received an email last week requesting hard copies of my publications.
@above anon: You applied for INSPIRE 1st call or 2nd call?
Re: You applied for INSPIRE 1st call or 2nd call?
2012 (Feb 29 deadline)
I am currently attending the conclave of Ramanujan fellows at Pune. Dr. Kohli has said that the meeting to select the next batch of Ramanujan fellows has taken place 3 days back. He hasn't announced the number or names of selected fellows in this round.
Thanks Saswata for the valuable information. I have applied for ramanujan fellowship in March. Will have to see whether they consider my application for this selection or not. Hope they will announce the results in couple of weeks time then.
Saswata, are you sure it was three days back - Mon or Tue based on the time zone you are in - when I contacted DST they said there was a meeting scheduled for last Saturday. I didnt know that it pertained to selection.
Btw, what is this Pune conclave all about and what's being discussed there?
@Ankur
DST probably holds many meetings everyday :-)
This conclave is the first gathering of ~100 Ramanujan fellows awarded till date, the heads of host institutes and the DST officials. Institute-specific administrative issues on implementing this fellowship are being discussed. Some changes to the scheme are being suggested. And, there are "inspirational" scientific talks by a few successful scientists (Bhatnagar winners) in India.
@Saswata :) It was the Ramanujan meeting that I was told about, which was to be held on Saturday.
I managed to get my application to DST over email via IITB only on Saturday; so I was not sure if it even made it to the meeting. If it happened after Saturday, I had a better chance.
I want to know how in your opinion DAIICT compares with the top IITs, IISc or IIIT Hyderabad in terms of research quality, quality of graduate students, and research environment. I have heard that the pay at DAIICT is higher than that at the IITs and that there is better scope for earning money through consultancy and foreign collaboration, as the institute takes no cut. But I was curious to know the opinion of the people here.
Can any faculty here comment on how much it costs to go to an international conference in the US from India? And using the CPDA alone, how many conferences per year are you able to attend?
@Ankur, for comment on 05.5.2012 11:49pm,
Typically attending an International Conference in US from India costs about Rs. 1.2-1.5 lakh. I attend every year since 2006 as a faculty of a metro IIT. But new 6PC CPDA is of Rs.3.0 lakh for a period of 3 years, which means atmost 2 International Confernece in US in block of 3 years from India can be attended. I use this and additional other sources for attending every year.
Thanks anon @May 7, 2012 3:21 AM.
My desire/target is 2 specific international conferences that happen every year. What could I do to achieve this target, assuming I don't have an award like Ramanujan? In particular are there funding agencies from whom I can get projects which will provide for an additional international conference? What should the volume of the projects be? I think DST also provides for conference funding, but it only funds travel, not hotel etc. Please correct me if I am wrong.
@Ankur,
Yes, you are right, DST provides only 'travel' fund. But if you are young (below 35) you can get full funding also. Also few IITs like IITB provides additional support from Dean (R&D) and other Faculty funding scheme of institute for such International Conference attendance. Also few 'rich' departments (who earn lot through consultancy or so) additionally provides such support. So in other words, in block of 3 years getting 3 international conference support for US is possible from IITs. But 6 in 3 years in US, I am doubtful!, unless someone is having big consultancy projects or international research projects etc.
@ Ankur
6 US conferences in 3 years on institute (CPDA)/DST support is a stretch. DST support is not complete and limited to once in 3 year (http://www.serc-dst.org/ITS%20FORM.doc) and limited to registration, air fare and visa fees. No mention is made of hotel/other incidentals. These options come with some restrictions (Air India travel, request for waiver, if necessary )
Moreover decisions are announced 1 -1.5 months before the conference. (http://www.dst.gov.in/whats_new/main-new.htm)
On a more practical note, two US trips for attending confernces requires some stamina. My opinion though.
As anon @2.23 8 May suggests, other options are Ramanujam fellowships, international projects with specific approval for travel, collaborations, other awards.
hth,
Sridhar
@ Ankur,
Have a look at the BOYSCAST fellowship (http://www.serc-dst.org/boyscast1.htm). Although it is not meant for attending conferences, it can be helpful for international visits.
Regards,
Chris
INSPIRE 2011 results?
INSPIRE 2012 interviews?
To Chris and INSPIRE fellows,
Can we appoint research staff with INSPIRE faculty grant?
-Yogesh
FYI-
I got an email from INSA saying there a screening committee meeting in May for the INSPIRE faculty scheme.
The results for Inspire 2011 for candidates living abroad (and perhaps nominated candidates) are out, via email.
INSPIRE results are declared by email:
For more info call 01126590247
When I called INSA office last to last week, they said that selection process for different streams are in process. So they might be declaring the results as and when they finish the screening process by different selection committee. But they also said that list of shortlisted candidates would be displayed on the web which I am not sure as I do not see any updates on the website.
To those who received e-mails, can you tell us which stream you belong to ?
Thanks and Regads
SPN
@ Yogesh,
The INSPIRE faculty research grant is governed by the rules of the host institute and as such, there are no special do's and don'ts from DST. So, if your host institute permits, you can hire research staff. I had discussed this point with my IIT director previously and he is positive.
@ Ratnesh and others,
Finally more INSPIRE results have been declared, but I wonder why they haven't put them on Internet. Best wishes to all that were selected.
Regards,
Chris
Hai All
I am Pratap from Ireland, I received email confirmation about INSPIRE fellowship. my stream is engineering and technology(direct mode 2011). Is any one on the same stream here, I just want to have some discussion about time frames, rules etc
thanks and regards
Pratap
Thank you Chris!
Dear all,
I have been selected for both DST inspire and DST Ramanujan fellowships while I am joining an old (non-metro) iit in a few months. I would appreciate
any answer to the following questions I have,
a. Can I avail both the research grants (inspire and RJN)?
b. Can I use the 18 months off site collaboration with Inspire fellowship despite taking up regular job in an IIT?
c. Earlier a few senior visitors to the blog mentioned that Ramanujan fellowship is being considered to be increased. Is there any progress in that? Was it discussed in the recently held congress of Ramanujan fellow?
d. @Chris, who in DST did you contact for finalising the modalities of your Inspire grant?
Thanks to you for your time and thanks to the host for letting our doubts answered in his blog.
SM.
@SM,
Congratulations on being selected for both INSPIRE and Ramanujan fellowships.
b. Can I use the 18 months off site collaboration with Inspire fellowship despite taking up regular job in an IIT?
This should be possible, if your host institute allows the same. I had discussed this point with my director and he said it is fine as long as the timing of the visit is arranged during the non-teaching period (about 4 months in a year).
d. @Chris, who in DST did you contact for finalising the modalities of your Inspire grant?
I was/am in contact with Dr. A. Mukhopadhyay in DST w.r.t. to Inspire grant.
Best wishes,
Chris
Thanks Chris for your prompt reply.
If you have already inquired from the DST then could you please share, what will DST provide for these short term visits? Will the DST pay for travelling and living cost in a foreign country or one has to partially/fully raise this money from other sources?
@SM,
You are welcome! Yes, I had tried to figure-out what the DST can provide, but I got a reply that such issues will be decided on a case-to-case basis.
Chris
Do you an idea about Mathematics Department at IIT Delhi? Please let me know.
Do you have some idea about Mathematics Department at IIT Delhi? Please let me know.
Can anyone please share the interview experience in IISER for physics
@Chris
Saw from your previous posts, that you are selected for INSPIRE fellowship.
I got confirmation letter about INSPIRE fellowship. Please let me know, after "declaration form" is signed by the host institute and awardee, how much time is available to join in that position.
if its IIT Bombay, can I get housing benefit(paid) from the University
Thanks and regards
Pratap
@Pratap
The joining time/date is negotiable between the candidate and the host institute. If your joining date is too far away (several months), check with DST, if it is fine. In my case, I joined 1 month after signing of the undertaking.
Regarding housing offered for free (as like R-fellowships), I have no idea. You may have to check with IITB directly. For the inspire fellows in my IIT, neither free quarters nor HRA is provided.
Regards,
Chris
I have sent acceptance letter for INSPIRE fellowship in the first week of march 2012 and waiting for final selection list. As far as I know the final selection list will be updated for each month. But this time it has been two and half months. So can you please tell me when the results will be announced?
@Chris
Thankyou very much for the reply.
I just want to know, if IIT Mumbai can provide accommodation inside the campus, I wish to pay for it.
and also, from the date od declaration of INSPIRE results, much time is there to join in host institute.
thanks and regards
Pratap
Pratap K, I would suggest you to talk to the Dean of Faculty Affairs at IITB. He is a very helpful person - I am sure he will answer these questions. Also, I would appreciate it if you could post your findings here.
Hi All,
Does anyone has latest information on the results of Ramanujan fellowships? Previous messages from Ankur and others indicate that meetings have taken place recently for selection. I would appreciate if you can share any info that you have about R fellowships.
Best
KK
Luckily I was able to get reply from DST after several attempts. They told me that the results may be announced next month after next meeting. They told me that they directly contact the applicants. Hope for the best.
Any ideas when the next meeting may be?
I don't know. May be in next month.
@chris: Thanks
@Others
Inspire 2011 results
Please visit DST-INSPIRE website, see results March 2012
INSPIRE 2012: Interviews are scheduled on 6-7 July 2012
Ramanujan Fellowship: meeting is conducted already, results may come next month.
Next meeting: August or September 2012
thanks ratnesh for the updates...what surprise me are a few names in March 2012 results that were not there in the list of shortlisted candidates during the first screening...where did they arise from, any idea? Are they early birds from 2012??
they are from nomination mode, all nominated candidates were considered as direct.
a bit confused abt reg my INSPIRE application (applied from abroad) ... i got email from them towards April end asking to resend docs as pdf, and then a snail mail which was an acknowledgement of my application and said that the screening committee will consider the proposal "sometime in May" ... when can i expect to know if my application is being considered or if i have been selected for interviews or not?
@Ratnesh,
Thanks for the information regarding Ramanujan fellowship.
Dear Prof. Madras and Prof. Sriram,
I have recently received an offer from IIT-Jodhpur for a regular Assistant Professor position. I have been asked to join in 6 months. One of the clause of the offer letter is entitled "Termination of Service" and it says that, " The service shall be liable for termination at any time by written notice (one month during probation and three months after confirmation) given either by the employee to the appointing authority or by the appointing authority to the employee..."
Looking at this, I get an impression that even after confirmation (after one year), the job can be terminated by IIT-Jodhpur at any stage with a 3 months notice.
Is it same for all the IITs i.e. can a regular confirmed position be terminated with a 3 months notice or is it something unique to IIT-Jodhpur only?
I was under the impression that once confirmed, the job can not be terminated so easily.
I am looking forward to hear your reply on the same.
Best regards.
I got an interview call from INSA INSPIRE yesterday........... Am sooooooooooooooooo excited.............
@sooooooo excited anon:
Which mode had you applied in? And when?
Is there any provision of "joining leave" in IIXs? Thanks.
Is there any progress in "UGC-Faculty Recharge Programme"?
As per website there is no update for very long time. Any one got response from UGC-FRP? Exactly one year going to be over for first batch.
Thank you in advance
I am sorry for reposting my earlier question on whether one can use the research grant money from both Ramanujan and Inspire fellowships of DST?
The reason why I feel one should be allowed to do so, is due to the fact that unlike regular research grants where the applicant estimates the research budget and defends for it, the awards like Ramanujan and Inspire have a fixed amount of grant money irrespective of the need of the project being sponsored.
I would appreciate if people with experience on rules and regulations of project grants can provide their views.
@Chemistry: UGC faculty recharge is recruting candidates. Total 447 candidates areshortlisted (applied till dec. 2011)
Interviews were conducted for physics, chemistry in progress, others will follow in coming moths and they will finish in August.
Regarding Both Contingency
One can not keep two contingencies of any two fellowship schemes.
@soooo exicted
I applied under nomination mode...
@ sooo excted
Applied in Jan, 2012
Dear friends
I have recevied inspire faculty award (march 2012, please advice me the measures to be taken next. Thanks
Does anybody have info about INSPIRE - 2012 shortlisted candidates for interview under direct mode.
Thank you for kind reply regarding UGC-FRP.
Did they inform to shortlisted candidates?
Dear Prof. Madras and Prof. Sriram,
I have recently received an offer from IIT-Jodhpur for a regular Assistant Professor position. I have been asked to join in 6 months. One of the clause of the offer letter is entitled "Termination of Service" and it says that, " The service shall be liable for termination at any time by written notice (one month during probation and three months after confirmation) given either by the employee to the appointing authority or by the appointing authority to the employee..."
Looking at this, I get an impression that even after confirmation (after one year), the job can be terminated by IIT-Jodhpur at any stage with a 3 months notice.
Is it same for all the IITs i.e. can a regular confirmed position be terminated with a 3 months notice or is it something unique to IIT-Jodhpur only?
I was under the impression that once confirmed, the job can not be terminated so easily.
I am looking forward to hear your reply on the same.
Best regards.
There appears to be a new rule for INSPIRE applicants through institute mode:
http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in/INSTITUTE_mode.html
The page says that institutes have to constitute a committee from a given list of expert to pre-select applicants. What does this imply for applicants who have already applied?
@ Ankur and other inspire applicants
I just received a invitation for interview for inspire fellowship 2012.
I had applied for Feb 29 deadline under general mode.
@Ankur
This means if your application is by nomination from institute it should be preselected and it applies to this round as well.
i received an email about INSPIRE interview, but they say i have to give a presentation in Delhi, even though i applied from abroad ... it would be extremely inconvenient for me to travel all the way to India just for 30 mins of interview ... has this happened with anyone else applying from abroad, and if yes, is there a way you can ask DST to conduct a Skype interview?
@ Ankur:
For 2011:those candidates nominated by institutes without proper procedures, were selected through direct mode.
@yf
Have you received the interview call by e-mail ? Which stream you belong to ?
@ Anon May 23, 2012 6:57 PM
I was in the same position like you last year when I got an call for the INSPIRE personal interview in Delhi. Nevertheless, I decided to fly to India as I did not want to miss my last chance (32 years). Now I am glad about my decision.
But, INSPIRE interviews are also conducted over SKYPE for the shortlisted candidates that are unable to come in person. Some of the blog-visitors here have taken it online and can comment on it.
Anyways, check with INSA directly regarding your request for online interview.
Best wishes,
Chris
@SPN
I received the "invite" for Inspire interview (in Physics) 2012, by email. The interview is on 17-18 July (2012).
@ anon and Chris : I will also have to attend the interview from abroad (and the timing is also a bit difficult for me personally - as I will be moving during July end, from my present position to another!).
Now following the detailed advice of Chris in an earlier post (thanks a lot!) I am very likely to attend the interview in person (also possibly at my personal expense - though not sure at this moment). This saves lots of confusion, avoids some possible delays, and I believe it enhances my chances for being selected for the fellowship.
@yf, Thanks . All the best.
@INSPIRE faculty candidates
Any one in Electrical Engineering stream got interview call for this session (Feb 29th batch) ?
@ chris, yf
(from: Anon ... 6:57 PM)
thanks for the info.
chris, concerning your advice, can you please tell us exactly how much difference you think will it make (as far as chances of getting selected are concerned) if we request for skype interview? (mine is presently scheduled for july 17-18)? i know this is a rather vague query, but like yf it would be a bit difficult for me as well to plan a trip to India since i have other visits planned around that time, and Canada-India 2-way is a rather long one ...
Ok, considering that this new rule applies "retrospectively", even for those like me whose applications are already with INSA, what should such applicants do? Do we need to contact the institute about this new rule or will INSA contact the institute for further information?
Anyone in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences got interview call for this 2012 session?
@yf
Glad that you found my advice useful. All the best for your upcoming interview!
@dd
yf in previous post (May 23, 2012 10:06 PM) has already mentioned the advantages of taking the interview in person.
Generally appearing in person before a selection committee carries more weightage than online appearance. Here in my IIT, for faculty candidates, whose interviews are held over skype, are given only provisional appointment and they are asked to undergo the entire interview process once again in person during the next selection committee meet. I think it is the same with other IIXs as well.
Although, we let our CVs speak for our credentials, some committee members tend to show consideration to the fact that the candidate has traveled all the way to attend the interview in person. In my INSPIRE interview, I was asked this question (purpose of visit). However, I don't think my selection was done solely on this consideration.
I cannot comment about the pros and cons of skype interviews, as I have not undergone that process.
@Ankur,
Contact INSA and clarify about the new rule. Are you sure you applied through the institute mode and not through the nomination mode?
Best regards,
Chris
For INSPIRE fellowship do I need to pay income tax? What will be the in hand salary?
Any news about the faculty interview in Aerospace Dept. in IITM and IIIKgp?
I have to send a one page synopsis of my biodata... what all details should I include in that single page? Anyone plzzzzz help.........
@Saswata and other R-fellowship awardees,
Can you please inform how the institute overhead is dealt with in the case of Ramanujan and Ramalingaswami research grants?
Thanks,
Chris
@yf
Glad to know that one of my earlier comments here was useful to you. All the best for your INSPIRE interview.
@dd
As you yourself mentioned, your query is rather vague. I am sorry that I cannot comment on the pros and cons of a skype interview, as I have never undergone one.
@anon May 24, 2012 9:45 PM
INSPIRE faculty fellowship is taxable. As I opted for the IIT salary, I don't know how much an INSPIRE awardee will get in hand. But, based on the taxing system in India, it should not be difficult to make the calculations yourself to get an approx. value.
@Chris, I think IISc does not charge overheads for the fellowship contingency.
plz anyone knows whether the list of shortlisted candidates for interview of INSPIRE faculty, 2012 is available in the site?
@chris
thanks anyway for all your replies, chris. i went ahead and requested them for skype interview, and they have agreed for the same. lets see ...
Anon May 25, 10:04 am wonders "Any news about the faculty interview in Aerospace Dept. in IITM and IIIKgp?". Why not ask the AE HoD or (for IITM) me? The IITM faculty interviews are June 25 to July 14 with AE department interviews on July 10. Interview call letters are scheduled to go out next week. The full interview schedule will be put up at the application portal.
@Chris: overhead Rs. 60,000.00
It is normally sanctioned alongwith salary and grant e.g. Yearly salary check of ramanujan is 14, 60000.00, 9 lakh for salary, 5 lakh research grant and 60000 overhead.
No additional overhead should be charged.
@others
Inspire salary : Rs. 80,000 pm with 3.3% annual increment
@Prof. Sriram
Thanks for your reply.
@Vishu and Ratnesh,
Thanks for your replies regarding overhead on fellowship grants.
Thanks,
Chris
Dear Prof Madras or blog members
My application at IISc is referred to the selection committee constituted by the director. what percentage of application pass this stage, I assume this is the final
stage for an application.
Many thanks
RB
Dear RB,
IISc operates differently from many IITs, such as IIT-M. The application is screened in the department and only if the department is positive, the application is sent to the divisional chairman committee and then the director. The director then calls a selection committee. Usually, one would expect 100% selection in these cases but a few have been turned down by the selection committee. So, I would say 90%.
You may ask why the selection committee may turn down a candidate strongly recommended by the department or others. The reason is that the selection committee feels that the candidate may not fit in the department (for example, different background, may not get adequate experimental facilities or students etc.) though the department may feel otherwise.
Giridhar
Dear Prof Giridhar, Many thanks for the reply
Very well put, Prof. Giridhar.
There are innumerable faculty in engineering who have been taken with science (chemistry/biology) background and they do not get students of either kind (science or engineering). At the end of five years, they are criticized for poor performance.
Wish the selection committee had done its job.
JBR
@Chris
IIT Guwahati gets Rs. 60000 per year as overhead from Ramanujan fellowship. Out of this, 25% can be spent for your professional development. The rest 75% is used for staff and student welfare, department welfare etc.
@Saswata,
Thanks for your info!
Chris
@ Prof. Sriram or blog members
Can you please explain the faculty selection procedure in IITM and other IITs?
@Prof. Giri
Thanks for your details about the selection process in IISc.
Dear Prof. Sriram,
Could you let me know when the interviews in ME and AM depts will be..
Regards,
SVU
Already answered by Prof. Giri
http://sites.google.com/site/newfacultyiisc/recruitment
I have received an invite for Inspire faculty interview. I had sent my application to IITB on Apr 27, I got a confirmation from Insa on May 11 and got an interview invite on Friday 25 May. Thereafter I requested for a skype interview and they have readily agreed.
"Anonymous said...
@ Prof. Sriram or blog members
Can you please explain the faculty selection procedure in IITM and other IITs?"
I can comment on the selection process at IITK and IITM. Normally, you apply against the standing advt. If the faculty is interested in your application they will shortlist and invite you to give a presentation whenever you visit India. Once this process is finished , a faculty will nominate your application to the Selection committee. At this stage you can appear online and references will be asked at a later stage while finalizing the appointment.
Best wishes
@anon may28 10.16 am,
I can speak for IITB- to the best off my knowledge, one applies to the dept that one is interested in. There is no last date. Depending on the dept policy, the dept does some internal assesment of the candidate, which is followed by a talk. The dept may ask you for a visit or may arrange the talk online. If the department is interested in the candidate the reccomendation is sent to the institute and an interview is scheduled. The biggest determinant of the candidate's success seems to be the department's interest in the candidate.
Dear Prof. Griri,
I received an email from one science dept. in IISC saying that my application is recommended to the selection committee constituted by the director. Does this mean that I do not need to appear before the selection committee. Is this is the usual practice in IISC.
Regards
Nr
----------------
Dear NR,
IF you are in India, you may have to appear before the selection committee. If you are abroad, sometimes, the selection committee requests you to appear via skype.
Thanks
Giridhar
INSPIRE faculty, 2011 reg:-
I would like to know whether the list of shortlisted candidates is available in any site.....
@ above Anon,
The selected candidates list for 2012 interview is not yet available in web. From 2011 INSPIRE selection dates one could guess the list could possibly be available around first week of July. (http://insaindia.org/inspireShort%20Listed%20for%20Interview.pdf check the date of Pdf created)
@Chris, @ saswata Q ankur and others,
One of you guys coudl answer my doubt?
Is the selection of host institutes is limited only to Acdemic intitutes or one can choose CSIR, DST labs ( I'm bit confused with terminology of faculty in INSPIRE)
for example some DST labs has both Prof rankings and scientist. To my knowledge the Assistant/Associate /Prof will usually be involved in teaching as well. In case, if i choose one of the DST labs not IIX's then will I be exempted from teaching and purely do research?....
Is DRDO or other national labs are encourgaed as host institutes?
Many thanks in advance
SSS
the above answers @ Anon May 30, 2012 11:07 AM and @ Anon May 25, 2012 4:05 PM
Excuse for the typos...
SSS
@Anon
Some Ramanujan fellows are working in CSIR labs and they don't need to teach. If you are an assistant professor (and Ramanujan Fellow) in an IIX, you would need to teach.
I don't know much about Inspire fellows.
@SSS
You can choose any CSIR lab or DST lab as your host institute. However, if you choose an IIX, you may have teaching duties in addition to research.
Chris
I heard CSIR labs won't let Ramanujan Fellows to avail the fellowship part. Any change in the situation?
I had a question related to the one SSS asked: one would as Ramanujan or Inspire awardee in IIX be teaching and advising, in addition to doing research. Are such awardees also eligible for CPDA and LTC? Chris, Saswata do you also get these benifits?
@Ankur
Yes, I get all benefits an assistant professor is entitled to, including CGPA and LTC.
@Ankur
I meant CPDA :-)
:-) and you earn the 75k salary from Ramanujan?
Post a Comment