Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Prime Minister Professorship: Strengthening India's Research Ecosystem
The Prime Minister Professorship is a new program in India that helps universities improve their research.
It gives a big amount of money to experienced scientists like Dr. Kishore M. Paknikar to work full-time at universities for five years.
These scientists will help make research better and teach other professors.
The program is run by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and aims to spread research excellence to more universities across India.
Dr. Paknikar, who is known for his work in microbiology and nanotechnology, will be working at COEP Technological University in Pune.
This initiative is part of a bigger effort to make India's higher education and research stronger and more accessible.
The Prime Minister Professorship is a national initiative to strengthen research leadership in universities with strong teaching foundations but needing sustained research support.
Dr. Kishore M. Paknikar, a renowned scientist, has been selected as one of the first recipients and will be hosted at COEP Technological University, Pune for five years.
The professorship offers a fellowship of Rs. 2,50,000 per month, a research grant of Rs. 24,00,000 per annum, and an overhead of Rs. 1,00,000 per annum.
The initiative aims to reduce disparities in India's higher education research landscape by spreading excellence beyond elite institutions.
ANRF, established through the ANRF Act, 2023, promotes research and development and fosters a culture of research and innovation across India's universities and research institutions.
- Who
- Dr. Kishore M. Paknikar, a renowned scientist and former Director of the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune
- What
- Selection as one of the first recipients of the Prime Minister Professorship
- When
- Not specified
- Where
- COEP Technological University, Pune, India
- Why
- To strengthen India's research ecosystem by placing experienced scientists in universities needing sustained research leadership
- Initiative
- Prime Minister Professorship
- Instituted by
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Government of India
- Fellowship Amount
- Rs. 2,50,000 per month
- Research Grant
- Rs. 24,00,000 per annum
- Overhead Grant
- Rs. 1,00,000 per annum
- Duration
- 5 years
- First Recipient
- Dr. Kishore M. Paknikar
- Host Institution
- COEP Technological University, Pune