Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD
Monthly fellowship for SC researchers · ₹31,000–₹35,000/month · M.Phil & PhD
The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students funds M.Phil and PhD research by SC students at UGC-recognized universities across India in Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Selected fellows receive ₹31,000 per month as JRF rising to ₹35,000 as SRF, plus annual contingency grants and HRA — all paid via Direct Benefit Transfer. Applications open when UGC advertises the scheme; selection is strictly merit-based on UGC-NET JRF or UGC-CSIR NET JRF exam scores.
About This Scheme
The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students funds M.Phil and PhD research by SC students at UGC-recognized universities across India in Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Selected fellows receive ₹31,000 per month as JRF rising to ₹35,000 as SRF, plus annual contingency grants and HRA — all paid via Direct Benefit Transfer. Applications open when UGC advertises the scheme; selection is strictly merit-based on UGC-NET JRF or UGC-CSIR NET JRF exam scores.
Full official description
"Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD" is a Fellowship Scheme by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The scheme was introduced during the financial year 2005-06 to provide 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 students belonging to the SC category to pursue higher studies leading to an M.Phil/Ph.D in Science, Humanities, or Social Science, in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges recognized by UGC. UGC is the nodal agency for implementing the scheme and is responsible for laying down procedures/ guidelines for implementing the scheme, including selection of beneficiaries and disbursement of fellowships to selected candidates.
Benefits
- JRF rate: ₹31,000/month for the first 2 years
- SRF rate: ₹35,000/month for the remaining tenure (up to 5 years total)
- Annual contingency grant — Humanities/Social Sciences: ₹10,000 (JRF), ₹20,500 (SRF)
- Annual contingency grant — Sciences: ₹12,000 (JRF), ₹25,000 (SRF)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): 8%, 16%, or 24% based on city (for students without hostel accommodation)
- Additional ₹2,000/month reader allowance for visually/physically handicapped scholars
- 2,000 new fellowships awarded every year
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If you're a founder who also wants to pursue a PhD, this fellowship provides ₹31,000–₹35,000/month — enough to fund serious research while you explore a technology that could eventually be commercialised. Many deep-tech startups begin in exactly this environment.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must belong to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community
- Must have qualified UGC-NET JRF or UGC-CSIR NET JRF examination
- Must be enrolled full-time in M.Phil or PhD at a UGC-recognized, NAAC-accredited university or an Institution of National Importance
- Must not be employed by any university, college, or government institution (even on study leave)
- Must not be receiving any other fellowship or scholarship simultaneously
- Must not have previously exhausted this fellowship or received any extramural funding as Principal Investigator
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD) from SC category are considered under existing PwD quota (minimum 40% disability)
Exclusions
- Not available to employees of universities, colleges, or government institutions (even if on study leave)
- Not eligible if you did not complete your research during a prior fellowship tenure
- Not eligible if you have previously received the full or partial PhD fellowship under this scheme
How to Apply
- UGC advertises openings for the National Fellowship for SC Students — check ugc.ac.in and national newspapers.
- Qualify either the UGC-NET-JRF or UGC-CSIR-NET-JRF examination.
- Apply online through UGC's application portal when the advertisement is open.
- UGC draws up merit lists, giving preference to candidates already admitted to an M.Phil/PhD programme.
- Award letters are published on the UGC website and can be downloaded from the portal.
- Join within 3 months of the award letter date. Fellowship is disbursed monthly via DBT to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Frequently Asked 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.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Passport-sized photograph
- Aadhaar number
- Self-attested degree/marksheet of last qualifying exam
- Fee receipt for current course year
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details
- Caste certificate (issued by SDM, Tehsildar, or competent authority)
- Declaration certificate