Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) for human resource capacity building for industrial R&D has been recognised as one of the main deliverables by a Sub-committee of Prime Minister’s Council on Trade & Industry. One of the key recommendations that emerged from the Private Sector is to design, develop and implement a Doctoral Research Scheme under PPP for enhancing trust level in academia, research outfits and industry.

A special scheme for 100 'Doctoral Research Fellowships' every year was announced during the Inception Ceremony of the Indian Science Congress Association, in June 2012 in Kolkata. Vide Prime Minister’s Office ID No–3646245/2012-ES-II dated 2 November 2012; the Prime Minister’s Office approved the proposal of naming the ‘SERB-CII Doctoral Fellowship Scheme’ as Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme for Doctoral Research. Subsequently, the Prime Minister’s Fellowship Scheme for Doctoral Research was formally launched at the ‘AICTE-CII University- Industry Congress & 4th Global Higher Education Summit’ held in New Delhi.