Post Graduate Merit Scholarship Scheme For University Rank Holders At Under-Graduate Level Applicable
The UGC rewards students who topped their university at the undergraduate level (in General or Honours courses) with a merit scholarship to help them pursue a Master's degree at any recognized institution in India. Awardees receive ₹2,000 per month for two years. Applications open once a year on the UGC website through the e-SARTS Scholarships portal.
About This Scheme
The UGC rewards students who topped their university at the undergraduate level (in General or Honours courses) with a merit scholarship to help them pursue a Master's degree at any recognized institution in India. Awardees receive ₹2,000 per month for two years. Applications open once a year on the UGC website through the e-SARTS Scholarships portal.
Full official description
University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Higher Education (DoHE) introduced a Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship Scheme for University rank holders both in General and Honours Courses at the Undergraduate level. The scholarship may be tenable for a period of two years to enable the rank holders of each university at the undergraduate level to pursue their Master’s Degree.
All universities/degree awarding institutions would be required to issue rank certificates to the toppers of the university (not at the college level) both in General and Honours Courses namely B.A., B.Sc., and B.Com. The purpose of this scheme is to attract talent for pursuing postgraduate studies besides strengthening the basic subjects – General as well as Honours, at the Undergraduate level.
The awardees, under this scheme, can pursue their Postgraduate program in any area of specialization in any institution of higher learning in the country.
OBJECTIVES a) to promote and nurture talent. b) to reward meritorious students with outstanding performance at the Undergraduate level for pursuing postgraduate studies. c) to Promote study in basic subjects both General as well as Honours at the undergraduate level. Professional courses are not covered under the scheme. d) to build up academic excellence at the postgraduate level across the colleges and universities in the country.
Benefits
- ₹2,000 per month for 10 months per year, for two years (total up to ₹40,000)
- 1,800 scholarships for General course toppers and 575 for Honours course toppers each year
- No additional hostel or medical allowance is provided
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must have secured the 1st or 2nd rank at the university level in a General UG course (BA, BSc, BCom), or the 1st rank in a listed Honours UG course
- Must have a minimum of 60% marks at the undergraduate level
- Must be admitted to a regular, full-time Master's degree program
- Age limit: 30 years at the time of PG admission
- Course must be one of the listed subjects in the scheme guidelines; distance education not covered
- The university must have had at least 1,000 students appear at UG level (100 for Honours courses)
- Degrees from autonomous colleges are not directly covered — rankings must be at the university level
Exclusions
CANCELLATION OF SCHOLARSHIP The UGC may terminate the scholarship of any student in case of - a) Misconduct of the awardee, if any, reported by the University/Institution. b) Unsatisfactory progress report (i.e. if the candidate scores less than 60% marks in the first year of the Master’s program) c) Candidates being found ineligible at a later date shall face penal action and will also be liable to refund the entire Scholarship amount paid.
How to Apply
Applications are invited through online mode once a year through advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News. The same is also uploaded on the UGC Website www.ugc.ac.in The selection is made on the basis of merit and as per the procedure of the Commission.
Step 1: Go to the official website of UGC: https://www.ugc.ac.in/
Step 2: On the homepage, locate the “e-SARTS Scholarships-Fellowships” link. (Normally placed on the right side of the homepage)
Step 3: A new page will open, wherein the candidate has to select the desired scheme.
Step 4: Click on the “Apply Now” option which is available at the top of the page.
Step 5: Fill out all the required information with personal and academic details.
Step 6: Attach all the required documents in the prescribed format.
Step 7: Lastly, click on Submit to submit the form successfully. In order to get your application considered, submit it before the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Objectives Of This Scheme?
A) to promote and nurture talent. b) to reward meritorious students with outstanding performance at the Undergraduate level for pursuing postgraduate studies. c) to Promote study in basic subjects both General as well as Honours at the undergraduate level. Professional courses are not covered under the scheme. d) to build up academic excellence at the postgraduate level across the colleges and universities in the country.
What Will Be The Tenure Of The Scholarship?
The scholarship may be tenable for a period of two years to enable the rank holders of each university at the undergraduate level to pursue their Master's Degree.
Is This Scheme Only Apply To Those Pursuing Post-Graduate Programs?
Yes, the awardees, under this scheme, can pursue their Postgraduate program in any area of specialization in any institution of higher learning in the country.
What Is The Amount Of Financial Assistance Provided In This Scheme?
Each awardee, under the scheme, will be provided a scholarship of [?] 2,000/- p.m. for a period of two years (i.e. 10 months in a year). The second-year grant will be released after receiving the Utilization Certificate and statement of expenditure along with the progress report of the first year.
Is This Scholarship Subject To Securing A Minimum Of Marks At The Undergraduate Level?
Yes, the scholarship would be subjected to securing a minimum of 60% marks at the undergraduate level.
Is This Scheme Also Applicable To Students Who Have Taken Admitted To Part-Time Master’s Degree Courses?
No, the scheme is applicable to such students who have taken admitted to a regular, full-time Master's Degree course in any recognized university or a postgraduate college.
Is The Scholarship Available To The Student For The Second PG Degree?
No, the scholarship is available to the student for the first PG Degree only.
Is There An Age Criterion For This Scheme?
Yes, the age limit for the students is 30 years at the time of admission to the PG course.
Is Distance Mode Of Education Covered Under This Scheme?
No, the distance mode of education is not covered under the scheme.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- The candidate is required to submit an application in the prescribed format.
- Attested copy of university undergraduate degree.
- Matriculation certificate.
- A verification certificate by the institute where students have taken admitted to Ist Year P.G. Course.
- Prescribed format of a provisional certificate from the university (not for autonomous college).
- CERTIFICATE TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE CONCERNED UNIVERSITY/ INSTITUTION
- Every year University/Institution will submit a compiled statement for the following:
- Statement giving the names of the students selected for the scholarship along with their receipt of the scholarship amount.
- Progress Report to be submitted after the first year of the award giving the percentage of marks obtained by the candidates.
- Utilization certificate.