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Education & Learning

National Fellowship For OBC Students

"National Fellowship for OBC Students" was launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) during the financial year 2014-15 to increase the opportunities for the students of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to pursue higher education leading to acquiring degrees such as M.Phil. and Ph.D.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Number of Slots for Fellowship - | - The total number of slots for NFOBC under the scheme is 1000 per year. Out of 1000 slots available under this scheme, 750 will be allocated for the subjects under National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC and the remaining 250 UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF joint test (for Science streams). | - These 1000 slots will be over and above the OBC Students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government. | Duration of Fellowship - | Name of the Course: M.Phil. | Maximum Duration (Years): 2 | Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2 | Admissibility of SRF (Years): Nil | Name of the Course: Ph.D. | Maximum Duration (Years): 5 | Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2 | Admissibility of SRF (Years): Remaining 3 years | Name of the Course: M.Phil. + Ph.D. | Maximum Duration (Years): 5 | Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2 | Admissibility of SRF (Years): Remaining 3 years | Rate of Fellowship - | The rates of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC Fellowship (w.e.f 01.01.2019). | Presently these rates are as follows: | Fellowship in Science, Humanities, and Social Science | @ ₹ 31,000/- p.m. for initial two years (JRF) | @ ₹ 35,000/- pm. for remaining tenure (SRF) | Fellowship in Engineering & Technology | @ ₹ 31,000/- p.m. for initial two years (JRF) | @ ₹ 35,000/- pm. for remaining tenure (SRF) | Contingency for Humanities & Social Sciences | @ ₹ 10,000/- p.a. for initial two years | @ ₹ 20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenure | Contingency for Sciences, Engineering & Technology | @ ₹ 12,000/- p.a. for initial two years | @ ₹ 25,000/- p.a. for remaining tenure | Escorts/Reader assistance (All subjects) | @ ₹ 2,000/- p.m. in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates | House Rent Allowance | HRA will be on the UGC pattern and will be payable to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation. In case hostel accommodation offered by the University/institution is refused, the student will forfeit his claim of HRA, and other facilities such as medical facilities, and leave including maternity leave will be governed as per the guidelines of the UGC in case of their fellowship program.

Who can apply

Under Sections 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956, i.e., Universities established under Central, Provincial, or State Acts or any other institution recognized by UGC.; Grant-in-Aid Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, i.e., institutions for higher education notified by the Central Government to be deemed Universities, in consultation with UGC.; Universities/Institutions funded by State/ Central Government.; Institutions of National Important as notified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. (mhrd.gov.in/institutions-national-importance); The decision of the UGC regarding to awarding the fellowship shall be final and no appeal could be filed against it.

Required Paperwork

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

Common Questions

How Many Slots Of Fellowship Are There In This Scheme?

The scheme is designed to provide a total number of 300 Junior Research Fellowships per year from the year 2014-15 and 300 Senior Research Fellowships from 2016-17 to Other Backward Class (OBC) students. The number of intake of JRF has been enhanced from 300 to 1000 per year onwards to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil./Ph.D. Degrees.

Which Universities/Institutions Are Covered In This Scheme?

The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and are implemented by the UGC itself on the pattern of the scheme of UGC Fellowship being awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D.

What Is The Objective Of This Scheme?

The objective of the scheme is to increase the opportunities for the students of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for pursuing higher education leading to acquiring degrees such as M.Phil. and Ph.D. The scheme aims at providing financial assistance to the OBC students in obtaining quality higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil. and Ph.D. in universities, research institutions and scientific institutions.

Who Is The Nodal Agency For Implementing The Scheme?

UGC is the nodal agency for implementing the scheme.

Will The Selected Candidate Be Entitled To Any Other Benefits From Central Or State Government?

No, the students belonging to Other Backward Class (OBC) category once considered eligible for the fellowship shall not be entitled to any other benefits from Central or State Government or any other body like UGC offering similar benefit to avoid duplication and increase coverage.

Is The Tenure Of The Fellowship Extendable?

After two years, if the progress in the research work of the awardee is found satisfactory, his/her tenure will be extended for a further period of three years as Senior Research Fellow (SRF). The research work will be assessed as per the UGC norms. The total period of award of JRF and SRF shall not exceed a period of 5 years.

Are There Any Reservations For PwDs?

Yes, at least 4% of the total seats should be reserved for students with disabilities while making selection of candidates for award of fellowships by the UGC.

Are The Employees Of Any University/College/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government Allowed To Avail The Fellowship?

No, the employees of any University/College/Educational institution/Central/State/UT Government shall be excluded from availing the fellowship, even if they are on study leave or Extra Ordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D.

What Is The Amount Of Fellowship For Science Humanities And Social Science?

@ Rs.31,000/- p.m. for initial two years (JRF), @ Rs.35,000/- pm. for remaining tenure (SRF)

What Is The Amount Of Fellowship For Engineering & Technology?

@ Rs.31,000/- p.m. for initial two years (JRF), @ Rs.35,000/- pm. for remaining tenure (SRF)

What Is The Amount Of Contingency For Humanities & Social Sciences?

@ Rs.10,000/- p.a. for initial two years, @ Rs.20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenure

What Is The Amount Of Contingency For Sciences, Engineering & Technology?

@ Rs.12,000/- p.a. for initial two years, @ Rs.25,000/- p.a. for remaining tenure

What Is The Amount Of Escorts/Reader Assistance?

(All subjects) @ Rs.2,000/- p.m. in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates

Will HRA Be Provided To The Student?

House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be on the UGC pattern and will be payable to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation. In case hostel accommodation offered by the University/institution is refused, the student will forfeit his claim of HRA, other facilities such as medical facilities, leave including maternity leave will be governed as per the guidelines of the UGC in case of their fellowship programme.

How Is The Monitoring & Evaluation Of The Scheme Performed?

A dashboard to monitor progress, geographic spread, discipline-wise students enrolled, sanctions, completion of courses, etc. shall be put in place by UGC on its portal to be accessed by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment via login credential.