CCRAS SPARK-4.0 (2025–2026): Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) — under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India — has announced the much-awaited SPARK-4.0 (2025–2026), the Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken. This program aims to ignite scientific curiosity and research aptitude among undergraduate Ayurveda students pursuing BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery).

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🧠 Introduction: What is SPARK?

SPARK (Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken) is an initiative launched by CCRAS to motivate and engage young Ayurveda scholars in scientific research. The program provides a short-term hands-on research experience to undergraduate Ayurveda students, familiarizing them with research methodology, study design, data analysis, and ethical conduct in biomedical research.

The SPARK initiative serves multiple purposes:

• Encourages research aptitude among BAMS students.
• Provides exposure to modern research techniques integrated with Ayurveda.
• Acts as a stepping stone for those who wish to pursue higher research (MD/MS, Ph.D., or fellowship).
• Promotes evidence-based Ayurveda aligned with national and international research standards.

💰 Studentship Details

• Total Number of Studentships: 300
• Duration: 2 months
• Stipend Amount: ₹25,000 per month (Total ₹50,000)
• Disbursal: After completion and approval of the final research report.

This stipend is a recognition of the student’s effort and serves as an incentive to pursue scientific inquiry at the undergraduate level.

🗓️ Important Dates

All updates and results will be available on the official SPARK portal:
👉 https://spark.ccras.org.in/

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

To ensure that genuine and deserving Ayurveda students benefit, CCRAS has defined clear eligibility norms:

1. Who can apply:

• • UG students of 1st to 4th year (before final exams) of BAMS courses.
  • Must be enrolled in a NCISM/Govt. of India recognized Ayurvedic College/University.
  • Only Indian Nationals are eligible.

1. Who cannot apply:

   • Interns, postgraduate (PG) students, or foreign students (NRIs) are not eligible.

2. Guide Eligibility:

• • The research must be conducted under a regular, full-time faculty member of the student’s own institution.
  • The guide must belong to the same department/year as the student’s course year.
  • Visiting, part-time, or PG residents cannot act as guides.
  • Each guide can mentor maximum two students.

1. Special Note:

• • Two or more students cannot work on the same topic.
  • Each college can recommend only up to 10% of its UG annual intake (e.g., 10 students if the intake is 100).

🧾 Application Process

The SPARK application involves a two-step fully online process. No hard copies are accepted.

🔹 Step 1: Registration (15th Oct – 15th Nov)

Both the Guide and Student must register on the SPARK Portal.

Part A: Guide Registration

• Provide name, designation, department, and ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, DL, etc.).
• Mention official email and mobile number.
• Choose a research topic suitable for a 2-month duration.

Part B: Student Registration

• Register using valid mobile number and email ID.
• Fill personal and academic details.
• Upload the Application Attestation Form (AAF) signed by:
  • Student
  • Guide
  • Head of Department
  • Principal/Dean with institutional seal
    (Must be uploaded as a PDF — mandatory for acceptance.)

🔹 Step 2: Proposal Submission (15th Oct – 15th Nov)

Students must submit a concise research proposal along with the attested form.

The proposal should contain the following sections:

1. Reference ID: Auto-generated SPARK ID (keep it for future communication).
2. Title: Relevant, clear, and within 25 words.
3. Introduction: Brief background and rationale (up to 300 words).
4. Objectives: Clearly defined aims or hypotheses (up to 100 words).
5. Methodology:
   1. Study design, sample size, intervention (if any), and analysis plan.
   2. Include ethical considerations and consent forms (up to 800 words).
6. Implications: Expected outcomes and contribution to Ayurveda (up to 100 words).
7. References: Authentic and recent literature (up to 300 words).
8. Identity Exclusion: No student/college/guide details should appear to ensure unbiased review.

Optional attachments:

• IEC/IAEC approval certificates (if applicable).
• Informed Consent Form, Case Report Form, or Questionnaire (as PDF).

🧮 Selection Procedure

The final selection is done based on a two-stage evaluation system:

1. Academic Performance (30%)

• • Based on total marks obtained in the previous year’s BAMS exam.
  • For first-year students, marks in 10+2 are considered.

1. Research Proposal Evaluation (70%)

• • Technical review by a panel of CCRAS experts.
  • Assessment includes clarity of objectives, relevance, feasibility, and methodology.

Selected students’ names will be announced on 15th January on the official portal, followed by communication to their respective colleges.

🧬 Project Execution and Reporting

Once selected, students must conduct research within their college under supervision.

• Duration: 2 months (approx. January–April).
• Final Report Submission: by 31st May 2026 on SPARK Portal.
• Certificate & Stipend: Issued by 14th August 2026 after evaluation and feedback.

Ethics and Compliance:

• Students working on human/animal studies must obtain clearance from:
  • Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) – for human participants.
  • Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) – for animal-based research.
• Follow ICMR Ethical Guidelines (2018) and National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Children (2017).
• CTRI Registration is mandatory for clinical studies.

🧾 Documentation Checklist

Students should have the following ready before submission:

• Research proposal (as per SPARK format)
• Application Attestation Form (signed by Guide, HOD, and Principal)
• IEC/IAEC approval (optional at proposal stage, mandatory for final report)
• Institutional approval letter
• Case record/questionnaire forms (if applicable)
• Reference ID for tracking application status

📢 General Instructions for Applicants

1. Apply only through the online portal: https://spark.ccras.org.in/
   No physical or email submissions are accepted.
2. One Guide = Two Students (max)
   One Student = One Project only
3. The student and guide must not be blood relatives.
4. Ensure all uploaded files are readable PDFs (under 1 MB) — not images or Word files.
5. Do not wait for the last day to apply; the portal may experience heavy traffic.
6. CCRAS or the Ministry of AYUSH is not liable to provide employment after completion of this studentship.
7. Any dispute will fall under Delhi jurisdiction.
8. For queries, contact only through the official institutional email ID mentioning your SPARK Reference ID at:

• • ✉️ ccras.spark@gmail.com

  • ✉️ spark.ayu@ccras.nic.in

🌱 Objectives and Benefits of SPARK

SPARK is not merely a financial assistance program — it is a strategic step towards building the next generation of Ayurvedic researchers. Its main objectives include:

• Introducing students to the principles of scientific research.
• Providing hands-on experience in research projects.
• Enhancing critical thinking and analytical ability.
• Encouraging students to explore Ayurveda through evidence-based lenses.
• Motivating students to take research as a career path.
• Serving as a bridge between Ayurveda education and modern research methodologies.
• Through SPARK, CCRAS aims to blend ancient wisdom with modern science, promoting innovation and validation in Ayurveda.

🧭 Why SPARK Matters for Ayurveda Students

In today’s age, where evidence-based medicine is the global standard, Ayurveda must demonstrate its scientific basis. SPARK allows young students to:

• Gain early exposure to research.
• Learn how to prepare protocols, collect data, and analyze results.
• Collaborate with experts and contribute to published work.
• Enhance their resume for future MD/MS/Ph.D. opportunities.
• Develop a scientific mindset to bridge classical texts and modern research.

By fostering a culture of inquiry at the undergraduate level, SPARK is shaping the future researchers, clinicians, and academicians of Ayurveda.

📍 Conclusion

The SPARK-4.0 (2025–2026) program by CCRAS is a golden opportunity for every BAMS undergraduate aspiring to contribute to Ayurvedic science. With structured mentorship, ethical research exposure, and a handsome stipend, SPARK encourages curiosity-driven exploration in Ayurveda’s vast domain.

Whether you are a first-year student exploring foundational principles or a fourth-year scholar ready to validate classical formulations — SPARK gives you the platform to shine.

🔗 Apply Online: https://spark.ccras.org.in/
📅 Registration Opens: 15th October 2025
📅 Last Date: 15th November 2025

For detailed guidelines, refer to the official notification and handbook available on the SPARK Portal.

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