Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue 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
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
- Employees of any University/College/Educational Institution/Central/ State/ UT Government shall be excluded from availing Fellowship, even if they are on Study Leave or Extra Ordinary Leave to pursue the M.Phil./Ph.D. course.
- A scholar who does not complete his/her research work during the period of fellowship shall not be eligible to apply again under this scheme.
- Similarly, a scholar who has completely or partially availed any of these fellowships for PhD earlier shall also not be eligible for fellowship under this scheme.
How to Apply
Call of Applications
UGC will advertise/ invite online applications from NET/UGC -CSIR joint tests qualified candidates for the award of National Fellowship for SC students. The selection for the award of fellowship to students will be made on the basis of the merit of each UGC-NET-JRF or UGC-CSIRNET-JRF examination.
Preparation of Merit List
- The merit for the award of fellowships under NFSC will be drawn up through the NET examination.
- Preference will be given to such students who have already secured admission. Such candidates are required to join the fellowship within 3 months of the issue of the JRF award letter under the Scheme.
- However, in case sufficient such candidates are not available, candidates who have not secured admission will also be selected in the order of merit in the NET examination. A separate merit list will be drawn up for such candidates if required.
Intimation of the Results
The results shall be published on the UGC website. Award letters can be downloaded from the UGC online application portal or as advertised by UGC.
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/Mark Sheet of the last qualifying exam.
- Fee Receipt of ‘Current Course Year’.
- Bank Details of the Aadhaar-linked Bank Account.
- Caste certificate (issued by SDM or Tehsildar or any competent authority).
- Declaration Certificate