Central Govt Education & Learning

National Fellowship & Scholarship For Higher Education Of Scheduled Tribe (ST) Students

₹31,000/month M.Phil fellowship + contingency · ST students · Ministry of Tribal Affairs

This Ministry of Tribal Affairs scheme has two parts: a Fellowship (Part A) for Scheduled Tribe students pursuing M.Phil or Ph.D., and a Scholarship (Part B) for ST students admitted to premier institutions for graduate/postgraduate professional courses. Fellows receive monthly stipends of ₹31,000–₹35,000, while scholars get full tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend. Apply through fellowship.tribal.gov.in (Part A) or scholarships.gov.in (Part B).

Ministry Of Tribal Affairs For: Individual Official Source

About This Scheme

Full official description

Part-A: Fellowship Scheme The National Fellowship Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with the objective to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from Scheduled Tribes to enable them to pursue higher education (M.Phil or Ph.D.) after completing a post-graduate degree (Master's degree). Salient Features of the Scheme - Fellowship under the Scheme will be for pursuing MPhil, Ph.D. by those ST students who have passed the Post-graduation/Master's Degree examination. Note: -

In case, under the national education policy, there is any change in the type of course, the same will be incorporated in the guidelines.
However, the scholars already covered under the scheme prior to 2021-22, will be allowed to complete the course as per the existing scheme.

Part-B: Scholarship Scheme The National Scholarship Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with the objective to encourage meritorious students from Scheduled Tribes to pursue courses at the Graduate and Post Graduate levels in premier institutes identified by the Ministry in professional fields such as Management, Medicine/Science, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, Law and Social Science, etc. Salient Features of the Scheme - This is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and provides 100% funding to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in courses and institutes approved and notified by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The scholarship once awarded will continue till completion of the course tenure, subject to satisfactory performance of the student, as assessed by the institute.

Benefits

Fellowship (Part A):

Monthly stipend: ₹31,000 for first 2 years (JRF); ₹35,000 for remaining 3 years (SRF)
Annual contingency: ₹10,000–₹12,000 (Humanities) or ₹20,500–₹25,000 (Science/Engineering)
HRA as per UGC rates (8%, 16%, or 24% depending on city)
750 fresh fellowships awarded per year
Escort allowance of ₹2,000/month for Divyangjan scholars

Scholarship (Part B):

Full tuition, admission, and examination fees covered (cap of ₹2.5 lakh/year for private institutes)
Monthly stipend of ₹3,000
Annual book/stationery allowance of ₹5,000
One-time computer allowance of ₹45,000

💡 Why Startups Should Care

Not directly startup-relevant — this is a fellowship stipend for ST students in higher education, not a business or research funding scheme.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Fellowship (Part A - M.Phil/Ph.D.):

Scheduled Tribe student who has completed Post-Graduation with minimum 55% marks
Maximum age: 36 years as of 1st July of the award year
No income limit for fellowship eligibility
Must secure admission in a UGC-recognised university for full-time M.Phil or Ph.D.

Scholarship (Part B - Graduate/Postgraduate):

Scheduled Tribe student admitted to one of the 252 notified premier institutions (IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, etc.)
Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹6,00,000
Spousal income is included in family income calculation
Must not be receiving any other Central/State scholarship simultaneously

Exclusions

N/A

How to Apply

I. Fellowship Scheme A. Registration Process for Digi locker:- (Only for those who have their Digilocker IDs)
The applicant whose account is not on Digi Locker will have to first register his/her new account by clicking on the “[Register on Digi Locker](https://accounts.digilocker.gov.in/signup/smart_v2/3546d
Process for Sign in : By clicking on Sign in button, where the applicant will be asked to enter Aadhaar number and click on Next button.
Enter Aadhaar number along with a security Pin code (6 digit) by yourself and remember it for further use and click on submit button. Then your Digi locker account will open.
Issued Document: Click “Issue document” for searching documents already linked by the issued authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who Are Eligible To Apply For National Fellowship Scholarship Schemes?

The candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST) who have passed the Post-Graduation examination and fulfilled the Scheme guidelines of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) are eligible to apply for these fellowships.

What Type Of Universities/Institutions/Colleges Is Covered Under Fellowship?

The candidates should get admission and registration for regular and full time M.Phil/Ph.D Courses in Indian Universities / Institutions / Colleges as indicated below:- i. Universities/institutions/Colleges included under section 2 (f) / 12(B) or 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act. ii. Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC. iii. Universities/ Institutions/ Colleges funded by Central/ State Government iv. institutes of National importance.

How Many Slots/Seats Available For Fellowship?

There are 750 slots/seats available for fresh fellowship each year.

Is There Any Family Income Criteria Required For Availing Scholarship?

There is no family income criteria required for availing scholarship.

If A Student Is Unable To Complete His /Her Course, What Will Happen In That Case?

If a student is unable to complete the course for any reason, he/she is liable to refund 50% of the total fellowship amount received by him/her to the Ministry.

What Is The Starting Date Of The Fellowship?

The starting date of fellowship for the selected year is the date from which they have taken admission/joined an M.Phil/Ph.D. course in the same election year. Otherwise, the fellowship will be eligible for the remaining period of the course duration in case of the students have joined prior to the Selection year.

Is There Any Gap Period For The Registration In Ph.D. After Completion Of M.Phil Course?

The gap period for the registration in Ph.D. after completion of M.Phil in the case of Integrated M.Phil. + Ph.D. is one year and the Fellowship will lapse if the gap period is more than one year. In the case of a Ph.D., the candidate is required to apply as afresh, even though he/she has completed M.Phil.

Can I Avail Of Any Other Scholarship From The Central/ State Government For The Same Study?

The ST students once considered eligible for the Fellowship shall not be entitled to any other scholarship of the Central or State Government for the same study. If selected, the candidate should refund the money to the concerned agency for the selected year.

Can I Transfer The Fellowship From One Universities/Institutes/Colleges To Other Universities/Institutes/Colleges?

Answer: The Selected Students of Fellowship will be permitted to transfer the fellowship from one Universities/Institutes/College to another Universities/Institutes/College subject to online submission of `No Objection Certificate from both the Universities/Institutes/Colleges. Thereafter, approval of the Ministry is required to complete the process of transfer.

How Can A Student Upgrade A Course From M.Phil To Ph.D?

The Student is required to submit an upgradation certificate issued by the Committee of three members comprising of the Head of the Department, Supervisor, and one outside subject expert to be constituted by the concerned Department of the University/Institution/College for evaluation of the work of student.

What Are The Reasons For The Cancellation Of The Fellowship?

There are the following reasons for the cancellation of the fellowship: If the awardee is found to be ineligible to receive the award, at any point of time during the entire duration of the fellowship. Misconduct of awardee. Unsatisfactory progress of research work. Any other fellowship is drawn from other sources (s)/ drawn fellowship or selected by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for Fellowship earlier. Concealment of facts and any other ground of misconduct.

What Should Students Do, In Case They Face Any Problems While Filling The Application Form In Google Chrome?

Answer: If students face any problems while filling out the application form in Google Chrome, students are advised to use internet explorer. In case of any issue/error in internet explorer as well, they are advised to clear browser history /cache and try again. They can send mail given in portal at "Contact us".

What Should Be The Type And Size Of The Documents And Profile Photo To Be Uploaded?

All documents should be uploaded in pdf file and the Profile Photo should be in .jpg/.jpeg format (Size: - 50 KB-100KB).

Which Fields I Can Edit Before The Final Submission Of The Application?

You can edit all details except "Registration Details" except Pre-filled information. It may be noted that once you 'finally submit your application it will be forwarded to the next level and after that editing is not possible. Therefore before Final Submission, it should be ensured that details are filled in correctly and documents uploaded.

Which Fields In The Application Form Are Mandatory?

Fields provided with a black asterisk (*) mark are mandatory fields.

Do I Have To Fill Up The Online Application In One Sitting?

No, you can fill up the online application in many settings by clicking the 'Save & Next' button from the Personal Information to Candidate Document Tab. The application is at every stage until you click on the ' Final Submit' button finally.

Ready to apply?

Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.

Apply on myScheme.gov.in

Documents Required

Profile Photo – JPEG file only
Date of Birth Proof [10th Passing certificate/10th Marksheet /School leaving Certificate/ 10th Examination Admit card, which must contain Date of Birth]- PDF file only
Post-Graduation Marksheet (All Semesters and consolidated by merging the documents) – PDF file only
Conversion factor formulae certificate issued from your university/Institutes [In case of marks are in CGPA/SGPA] -PDF file only
ST certificate [Community name should match with drop down list of domiciles States/UTs] – PDF file only
PWD Certificate [issued by Competent Authority if candidate applying as Divyangjan] – PDF file only
PVTG Certificate [Community of PVTG name should match with drop down list of domiciles States/UTs PVTG list] – PDF file only
Bonafede Certificate of admission/ joining for Ph.D. / Integrated M.Phil.+ Ph.D. - PDF file only
The above documents should be in the applicant’s Digi locker ID (https://www.digilocker.gov.in/)either in issued documents section or in Digi locker Drive
Following documents are required to be uploaded on the portal while filling the application online on National Scholarship Portal (NSP):-
Fresh Candidate: Yes
Renewal Candidate: No
Remarks: The caste Certificate is required to be signed and stamped by the competent authority
Remarks: Income Certificate for the FY preceding the year of selection issued by the designated authority by the respective state/UT
Renewal Candidate: Yes