ICSSR Yuva Shodh Pratibha Scheme: Youth and Decolonisation (India)

The Yuva Shodh Pratibha Scheme (YSPS) 2026–27, launched by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), supports undergraduate research under NEP 2020 on the theme “Youth and Decolonisation.” The scheme provides funding of up to ₹3 lakh per project for 600 collaborative research projects aimed at promoting Indian knowledge systems, interdisciplinary research, and context-based scholarship.

About the Yuva Shodh Pratibha Scheme (YSPS) 2026–27

The Yuva Shodh Pratibha Scheme (YSPS) has been introduced by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) for the academic year 2026–27 to encourage undergraduate students to undertake research aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The scheme promotes original research rooted in Indian knowledge systems and encourages students to explore social science and humanities topics through interdisciplinary, context-based, and culturally relevant approaches.

Program Objectives

The scheme aims to:

• Encourage undergraduate students to undertake research in social sciences and humanities.
• Promote the decolonisation of knowledge and research.
• Support interdisciplinary and critical inquiry.
• Challenge Eurocentric approaches to knowledge production.
• Strengthen Bharatiya perspectives and Indian intellectual traditions.
• Integrate local knowledge, lived experiences, and socio-cultural traditions into research.
• Develop research competencies among undergraduate students.
• Contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047 through context-based research.

Research Theme

The broad theme for the 2026–27 scheme is:

• Youth and Decolonisation

Research Areas

Projects may focus on one or more of the following themes:

• Decolonising Narrative: Indo-Aryan Theory.
• Decolonising Education and Research Methodology.
• Beyond Macaulay.
• History, Culture and Language.
• Health, Mind and Well-being.
• Economic and Financial Sovereignty.
• Decolonising Finance, Trade and Commerce.
• Decolonising Governance, Law and Political Thought.
• Rural Development, Environment and Knowledge Systems.

Program Highlights

The scheme:

• Was launched on 12 May 2026 during the 58th Foundation Day of ICSSR.
• Was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Education, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
• Supports undergraduate research under NEP 2020.
• Encourages original thinking in social sciences and humanities.
• Promotes research based on Indian knowledge systems and societal needs.

Project Structure

Each research project must:

• Be completed by a team of two or three students from the same institution.
• Include:
  • One Lead Researcher.
  • One or two Co-Researchers (Researcher-1 and Researcher-2), where applicable.
• Be conducted under the supervision of a permanently employed faculty member.

Faculty Supervisor Requirements

The project supervisor must:

• Be permanently employed by the institution.
• Hold a PhD in Social Sciences or Humanities.
• Have substantial research experience.
• Guide and supervise the student research project throughout its duration.

Funding Available

Each selected project may receive:

• Financial assistance of up to ₹3 lakh.

Project Duration

• Eight months.

Number of Projects

The scheme will support:

• 600 research projects.

Total Budget

The overall allocation for the scheme is:

• ₹18 crore.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in the sixth or seventh semester of a Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) under NEP 2020.
• Apply as part of a collaborative team consisting of two or three students from the same institution.
• Meet the attendance requirements prescribed by their institution.
• Submit all required academic documents.

Lead Researcher Requirements

The Lead Researcher must:

• Belong to the Social Sciences or Humanities disciplines.

Co-Researcher Eligibility

Co-researchers:

• May belong to any academic discipline.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A complete online application.
• Scanned copies of previous semester mark sheets.
• All required supporting documents.
• Project details as prescribed in the application guidelines.

Application Conditions

Applications will not be considered if they are:

• Incomplete.
• Missing required documents.
• Submitted without previous semester mark sheets.
• Not compliant with the scheme’s eligibility requirements.

Program Benefits

The scheme enables students to:

• Gain hands-on research experience during undergraduate studies.
• Build interdisciplinary research skills.
• Explore Indian knowledge systems and local traditions.
• Work under experienced faculty mentors.
• Contribute to research addressing national priorities.
• Strengthen academic and research careers.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

• Selecting a research topic aligned with the scheme’s themes.
• Demonstrating originality and relevance.
• Incorporating Indian knowledge systems and local perspectives.
• Presenting a clear research methodology.
• Showing how the research contributes to society and public policy.
• Working closely with the faculty supervisor while developing the proposal.
• Ensuring all required documents are complete before submission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Yuva Shodh Pratibha Scheme?

Students enrolled in the sixth or seventh semester of a Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP) under NEP 2020 are eligible to apply.

How much funding is available?

Each selected research project may receive up to ₹3 lakh.

How many projects will be funded?

The scheme will support 600 research projects with a total budget of ₹18 crore.

How long can projects run?

Each project has a maximum duration of eight months.

Can students from different disciplines work together?

Yes. While the Lead Researcher must belong to the Social Sciences or Humanities, co-researchers may come from any discipline.

Is faculty supervision mandatory?

Yes. Every project must be supervised by a permanently employed faculty member with a PhD in Social Sciences or Humanities and substantial research experience.

Conclusion

The Yuva Shodh Pratibha Scheme (YSPS) 2026–27 offers undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to develop research skills while contributing to India’s evolving knowledge ecosystem. By supporting collaborative research rooted in Indian knowledge systems, interdisciplinary inquiry, and the principles of NEP 2020, the scheme encourages young researchers to generate meaningful insights that contribute to Viksit Bharat @ 2047 and the advancement of social sciences and humanities.