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Education & Learning; Social welfare & Empowerment

Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD

The scheme provides opportunities to Scheduled Castes students to pursue higher education leading to M.Phil/Ph.D degrees in Sciences, Humanities and Social Science streams. The objective of the scheme is to provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance to SC students.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Number of Slots | - The scheme provides for 2000 new Fellowships (1500 Junior Research Fellows for Humanities/ Social Sciences and 500 Junior Research Fellows for Science stream) per year. | - These slots are over and above the number of SC students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for UGC Fellowships. | Validity | - The fellowship shall be paid from the date of issue of the JRF award letter under the Scheme for National Fellowship or the date of joining the M.Phil./Ph.D., whichever is later. | - The fellowship shall be granted upto the date of submission of the Ph.D. thesis or five years of tenure, whichever is earlier. No extension is permissible beyond the total period of five years of fellowship. | - Confirmation for continuation of the fellowship shall be given by the University twice a year on a semester basis within the 10th of the initial month of the semester. Based on this certification, the research scholars would be released the fellowship within the 15th of every month without any further intervention of the university. | - With regard to the combined course of M.Phil and PhD, Fellowship will be provided initially for 02 years for M.Phil and after upgradation to Ph.D course, for another 03 years. | - In case of integrated Ph.D. or M.Phil. to Ph.D., the maximum tenure is 5 years including the M.Phil. period of fellowship. For doing M.Phil., fellowship shall be granted for two years or upto the date of submission of the M.Phil. dissertation, whichever is earlier. | Duration of the Fellowship | - Name of the Course: M.Phil; Maximum Duration: 2 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: NIL | - Name of the Course: PhD; Maximum Duration: 5 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: Remaining 3 Years | - Name of the Course: M.Phil + PhD; Maximum Duration: 5 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: Remaining 3 Years | Rate of Fellowship | Head: Fellowship in All Streams | Rate Applicable for JRF: Rs. 31,000/- p.m. for initial two years | Rate Applicable for SRF: Rs.35,000/-p.m. for remaining tenure | Head: Contingency for Humanities & Social Sciences | Rate Applicable for JRF: Rs.10,000/- p.a. for initial two years | Rate Applicable for SRF: Rs.20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenure | Head: Contingency for Sciences | Rate Applicable for JRF: Rs. 12,000/- p.a. for initial two years | Rate Applicable for SRF: Rs.25,000/-p.a. for remaining tenure. | Head: Escort/ Reader Assistance (All Subjects) for Physically and Visually Handicapped Candidates | Rate Applicable for JRF: Rs.2,000/-p.m. | Rate Applicable for SRF: Rs.2,000/-p.m. | Head: House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Rate Applicable: 8%, 16% and 24% to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation, in accordance with Govt. of India norms as applicable in the city/location where the research fellows are working. | Mode of Disbursal | The disbursal of the fellowship will be directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked Bank Account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Who can apply

The applicant should be from a Scheduled Caste.; The applicant should be pursuing regular and full-time advanced studies/ research leading to an M.Phil/PhD Degree.; The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests:; The applicant should be pursuing the program from a University/Institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as follows:; A scholar is eligible to receive only one fellowship at a time. The scholar will not accept/receive any other monetary benefit/ scholarship/ fellowship from any other source.; Scheduled Castes candidates who have already secured admission and qualify NET examination will be given preference. Such candidates will be required to join the fellowship within 3 months of the issue of the JRF award letter.; There will be an inclusive provision of reservation for Person with Disabilities (PwD) who belongs to the SC category for consideration as per norms of the existing quota of PwD., as per 'The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016". The minimum degree of disability should be 40% in order to be eligible for any concessions/benefits.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

How is the merit list for fellowship awards prepared?

The merit list is drawn up through the NET examination. Preference is given to candidates who have already secured admission. If sufficient such candidates are not available, a separate merit list is prepared for others based on the NET examination.

How is confirmation for the continuation of the fellowship given by the University, and how often does this happen?

The University provides confirmation twice a year on a semester basis, within the 10th of the initial month of the semester. Fellowship is released accordingly within the 15th of every month.

What happens if a scholar has previously availed of other fellowships for a Ph.D.?

A scholar who has availed of other fellowships for a Ph.D. earlier is not eligible for a fellowship under this scheme.

Can a scholar reapply for this fellowship if they don't complete their research work during the fellowship period?

No, a scholar who doesn't complete their research work during the fellowship period is not eligible to apply again under this scheme.

Are there any provisions for House Rent Allowance (HRA), and how is it determined?

HRA is provided to students not provided with hostel accommodation. The rates are 8%, 16%, and 24% as applicable in the city/location where the research fellows are working, in accordance with Govt. of India norms.

Is there any assistance provided for Physically and Visually Handicapped Candidates?

Yes, there is assistance of Rs. 2,000/- per month for both JRF and SRF candidates in the form of Escort/Reader Assistance.

What are the contingency rates for Humanities & Social Sciences and Sciences streams for JRF and SRF?

For JRF, it's Rs. 10,000/- per year for initial two years in Humanities & Social Sciences and Rs. 12,000/- per year for Sciences. For SRF, it's Rs. 20,500/- per year for Humanities & Social Sciences and Rs. 25,000/- per year for Sciences.

What are the rates of fellowship for JRF and SRF candidates in different streams?

For JRF candidates, the rate is Rs. 31,000/- per month for initial two years, and for SRF, it's Rs. 35,000/- per month for the remaining tenure.

What is the duration of the fellowship for M.Phil., Ph.D., and combined M.Phil. + Ph.D. courses?

The maximum duration for M.Phil is 2 years, for Ph.D. it is 5 years, and for M.Phil + Ph.D., it is also 5 years.

Are there any provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) within the Scheduled Caste category?

Yes, there is a provision for reservation for PwD who belong to the SC category as per the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.' A minimum disability of 40% is required for eligibility.

Can individuals who are already employed in educational institutions avail this fellowship?

No, employees of any educational institution, including universities and government employees, cannot avail this fellowship.

How is the fellowship disbursed in terms of timing and mode?

The fellowship is disbursed from the date of the JRF award letter or the date of joining M.Phil./Ph.D., whichever is later. It is granted up to the date of Ph.D. thesis submission or a maximum of five years. The mode of disbursal is through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

Is there a limit on the number of fellowships awarded each year?

The scheme provides 2000 new Fellowships annually, including 1500 Junior Research Fellowships for Humanities/Social Sciences and 500 Junior Research Fellowships for Science streams.

Which department oversees this fellowship scheme, and when was it introduced?

The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, introduced this scheme during the financial year 2005-06.