Call for Applications for ICSSR Major & Minor Research Projects 2025–26. Apply by 15th December 2025!
Call for Applications for ICSSR Major & Minor Research Projects 2025–26. Apply by 15th December 2025!
About ICSSR:
The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), established in 1969, promotes and funds social science research across India. It supports scholars through grants, training, and research projects aimed at policy development and societal impact. ICSSR plays a key role in decolonizing knowledge and fostering inclusive, indigenous research traditions. Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, it strives to make research equitable, affordable, and globally competitive. An autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, it oversees 47 affiliated research institutes and six regional centres nationwide.
About Research Project:
The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) has announced its Major & Minor Research Projects for 2025–26. These projects aim to strengthen research in the social and human sciences, contributing to Viksit Bharat@2047 by generating evidence‑based solutions for national development.
Projects span diverse domains such as law, governance, economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, gender studies, disability studies, diaspora studies, public health, education, environmental studies, cultural studies, and Indian knowledge systems.
Area of Research in Law:
Legal Studies:
Access to Justice and Para-Legal Systems
Legal History of India
Judicial Reforms and Court Management
Law, Technology, And Digital Rights (Including AI)
Legal Pluralism
Elder Abuse and Protection
Criminal Justice System and Reform
Decolonising Legal Studies
Important Dates:
Start of online submission of applications
15.11.2025
Close of online submission of applications
15.12.2025
Eligibility:
Who can apply?
Faculty (permanent/retired) from UGC‑recognized universities, deemed universities, affiliated colleges, ICSSR institutes, and institutions of national importance.
Independent Ph.D. scholars with at least 2 sole‑author books or 5 peer‑reviewed articles (must collaborate with faculty).
Contractual faculty with similar credentials.
Senior/retired government or defence officers with Ph.D. and publications.
Requirement: Project Director and Co‑Director must hold a Ph.D. degree.
Application Process:
Apply online via ICSSR website; proposals must be forwarded by the affiliating institution.
Proposals and reports must be in English or Hindi.
Only one project at a time can be applied for.
Cooling‑off period: 1 year after completion of a project (not applicable for minor projects ≤12 months).
Applications undergo blind peer review and shortlisted candidates present before expert committees.
Duration & Funding:
Minor Project: 12 months, up to ₹15 lakh.
Major Project: 24 months, up to ₹30 lakh.
Budget Allocation (Maximum limits):
Research Staff: 45%
Fieldwork: 35%
Equipment/Study Material: 10%
Contingency: 5%
Publication/Workshops: ~5%
Institutional Overheads: 10% (capped at ₹2,00,000).
Research Staff Remuneration:
Research Associate: ₹47,000/month (PG + NET/M.Phil./Ph.D. + 2 years’ experience).
Research Assistant: ₹37,000/month (PG + NET/M.Phil./Ph.D.).
Field Investigator: ₹20,000/month (PG, min. 55% marks).
Obligations & Monitoring:
Project Directors must join within the notified date (extendable up to 3 months).
Grants released in instalments; final instalment only after submission of audited accounts and final report.
Reports must be plagiarism‑checked (≤10% similarity).
ICSSR reserves rights to convert major to minor projects, demand raw data, or transfer projects between institutions.
Non‑compliance (delays, poor quality, misuse of funds) may lead to blacklisting and recovery of grants.
Why This Matters for Law Teachers?
Legal Studies Priority Areas: Access to justice, para‑legal systems, judicial reforms, law & technology (including AI), criminal justice reform, elder protection, and decolonising legal studies.
Law Teachers can engage with faculty mentors to design proposals in these areas.
These projects provide funding, institutional support, and national visibility for impactful legal research.
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Call for Applications for ICSSR Major & Minor Research Projects 2025–26. Apply by 15th December 2025!
