Post Doctoral Fellowship to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Candidates
₹38,800-46,500/month fellowship + ₹50,000/year contingency · unemployed SC/ST PhD holders
This UGC fellowship supports unemployed SC/ST candidates who hold a Ph.D. and wish to pursue postdoctoral research in sciences, engineering, humanities, or social sciences at recognized Indian universities. Selected candidates receive a monthly stipend of ₹38,800 (rising to ₹46,500 from year three), plus ₹50,000 annually for contingency expenses, for up to five years. Apply online once a year through the UGC website after watching for advertisements in leading newspapers.
About This Scheme
This UGC fellowship supports unemployed SC/ST candidates who hold a Ph.D. and wish to pursue postdoctoral research in sciences, engineering, humanities, or social sciences at recognized Indian universities. Selected candidates receive a monthly stipend of ₹38,800 (rising to ₹46,500 from year three), plus ₹50,000 annually for contingency expenses, for up to five years. Apply online once a year through the UGC website after watching for advertisements in leading newspapers.
Full official description
This scheme has been initiated keeping in view the social background of the candidates from the deprived section of society and to provide them an opportunity to undertake advanced studies and research in Science, Engineering & Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges. Objective: The objective of the scheme is to provide an opportunity to SC/ST candidates to undertake postdoctoral research in Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences at Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges as indicated below:
- Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under Section 2(f) and 12 (B) of UGC Act.
- Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC.
- Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/State Government.
- Institutes of National Importance.
Benefits
- ₹38,800/month for the first two years; ₹46,500/month from year three onward
- ₹50,000 annual contingency grant
- ₹2,000/month additional assistance for persons with disabilities (escorts/reader)
- HRA as per government norms if hostel is unavailable
- Maternity/paternity leave as per government rules (once during the tenure)
- Academic leave (without fellowship) of up to one year for teaching or foreign research visits
- Fellowship tenure: 5 years, non-extendable
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Deep-tech founders from SC/ST backgrounds with a fresh PhD can use this as funded time to develop research-backed IP before commercialising.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category
- Must hold a Ph.D. degree (provisional certificate acceptable) and be currently unemployed
- Age limit: 50 years for male applicants; 55 years for female applicants (as of last application date)
- Minimum marks: 50% at UG level and 55% at PG level
- Must upload a No Objection Certificate from the proposed research institution
- Transgender candidates are also eligible
How to Apply
Procedure for applying for the scheme: The applications are invited through online mode once in a year through advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News from the candidates belong
- The awardee is required to approach the designated branch along with a copy of the Award Letter and Joining Report with a photograph, address, and contact number in the prescribed proforma [Annexure-I
- At the end of every three months the fellow shall submit a 'Continuation Certificate' in the prescribed proforma. [Annexure-III](https://www.ugc.gov.in/oldpdf/xplanpdf/postdoctoralfellowship.p
- After completion of one year of the award of fellowship, the concerned fellow/awardee shall submit and present its Progress Report in the proforma prescribed by the UGC as given in [Annexure-IV](https
- The Fellow/awardee shall also submit and present accounts of contingency grants in the proforma prescribed by the UGC as given in [Annexure-V](https://www.ugc.gov.in/oldpdf/xplanpdf/postdoctoralfellow
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the objective of the scheme?
The objective of the scheme is to provide an opportunity to SC/ST candidates to undertake postdoctoral research in Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences at Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges as indicated below: (a) Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under Section 2(f) and 12 (B) of UGC Act. (b) Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC. (c) Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/State Government. (d) Institutes of National Importance.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
University Grants Commission, Government of India
How much amount of fellowship is paid under scheme?
The fellowship under the scheme is @ [?]38,800/- per month for first 2 years & [?]46,500/- per month from third years onwards.
How much amount of contingency is paid under scheme?
An annual contingency of [?]50,000/- will be given to the eligible student for five years.
How much amount of assistance is paid for Escorts/Reader under scheme?
Escorts/Reader assistance will be paid @ [?]2,000/- per month (fixed) in cases of physically disabled & blind Candidate.
How many slots are available under the scheme per year?
The number of slots available under the scheme is 100 per year.
Is there any House Rent Allowance admissible to the fellows?
Suitable single-seated hostel accommodation may be provided to the candidates in the institutions. In such cases, the fellow is eligible to draw only hostel fees excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. A certificate to this effect is to be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal. HRA is not permissible for those candidates who are staying in Hostel accommodation.
Is there any separate/fixed medical assistance provided to the fellows?
No separate/fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the Post-Doctoral Fellow may avail of the medical facilities available in the University/Institution/College.
What is the duration of the fellowship?
The tenure of the fellowship is five years with no provision for further extension.
What are the eligibility conditions for availing of fellowship under the scheme?
Only Ph.D. awarded unemployed candidates belonging to the SC/ST category will be eligible for the award of Post Doctoral Fellowship.
What is the age criterion for availing of fellowship under the scheme?
The upper age limit for male applicants is 50 years as of the last date of receipt of online applications and 55 years in the case of female candidates.
What are the marks criteria for availing of fellowship under the scheme?
The candidates of SC/ST categories having 50% marks at the UG level and 55% marks at the PG level are eligible to apply under the Scheme.
Can a Transgender candidate eligible to apply under the scheme?
Yes, Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. However, the reservation shall be followed as per the Govt. of India norms.
How to apply under the scheme?
The applications are invited through online mode once in a year through advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News from the candidates belonging to the SC/ST category fulfilling the eligibility conditions under the scheme. A short notification will also be uploaded on the UGC Website. https://pdfss.ugc.ac.in/default.aspx
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Copy of Aadhaar Card
- Passport-size Photograph
- Proof of age
- Mark Sheets/Grade Cards & Degrees
- Caste certificate
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Income Certificate, if applicable
- Bank account details
- [NOC/Undertaking]
- Any other document, if required