Why PhD scholars feel stipend hike is below the mark

India’s Education Ministry has raised stipends for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), and Research Associates (RAs) to bolster the nation’s research ecosystem. The increases, effective from January 1, 2023, will see JRF stipends rise from Rs 31,000 to Rs 37,000, and SRF stipends increase from Rs 35,000 to Rs 42,000. However, some PhD students continue to push for larger increases, arguing that research scholars deserve more competitive stipends and quicker disbursal. India spends only 0.6% of GDP on research, and more private sector engagement is needed.