Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences
₹25,000–₹28,000/month fellowship · single girl child · Ph.D. in social sciences
The UGC provides this fellowship to single girl children (with no brothers or sisters) who are pursuing a full-time PhD in Social Sciences at a recognized Indian university, to cover the financial costs of doctoral research. Fellows receive monthly financial support of ₹25,000–₹28,000 plus contingency grants for up to 5 years. Applications are invited once a year online through the UGC website and national newspaper advertisements.
About This Scheme
The UGC provides this fellowship to single girl children (with no brothers or sisters) who are pursuing a full-time PhD in Social Sciences at a recognized Indian university, to cover the financial costs of doctoral research. Fellows receive monthly financial support of ₹25,000–₹28,000 plus contingency grants for up to 5 years. Applications are invited once a year online through the UGC website and national newspaper advertisements.
Full official description
A fellowship scheme by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for Single Girl Child for research in Social Sciences with an aim to compensate for direct costs of higher education, especially for such girls who happen to be the only girl child in their family. The objectives of the proposed scheme are:
To support the higher education of single girl child in Social Sciences.
To recognize the value of observance of the small family norms.
To recognize the norm of single girl child in society.
To propagate the concept of single girl child norm.
Promoting single girls in society.
The girl students who are admitted to Ph. D. programs in Social Sciences in Universities/Colleges/Institutes and happen to be the only girl child in the family without having any brother or sister. The girl student who is twin daughters/fraternal daughter may also apply for fellowship under the aforesaid scheme.
Benefits
- Monthly fellowship of ₹25,000 for the first 2 years, increasing to ₹28,000/month for the remaining tenure
- Contingency grant of ₹10,000/year for the first 2 years, then ₹20,500/year for the remaining period
- Additional ₹2,000/month reader/escort assistance for candidates with disabilities
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per government city-category norms if hostel accommodation is unavailable
- Maternity leave at full fellowship rates, available once during the tenure
- Total duration: up to 5 years, or until PhD thesis submission (whichever is earlier)
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Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be the only child of parents — no brothers or sisters (twin daughters are eligible)
- Must be enrolled in a regular, full-time PhD program in Social Sciences
- University must be recognized under the UGC Act (Sections 2(f) and 12(b)), a Deemed University, Central/State Government funded institution, or an Institute of National Importance
- Distance education PhD programs are not eligible
- Age limit: up to 40 years for General category; up to 45 years for SC/ST/OBC/Persons with Disabilities
- Transgender candidates are eligible
- Must not be receiving any other fellowship from a government source
Exclusions
- Not available if there is one son and one daughter in the family (only applicable when the girl is the sole child)
- Does not cover Ph.D. through distance education mode
How to Apply
- Watch for the annual advertisement in leading newspapers and the UGC website at ugc.gov.in — applications open once a year.
- Apply strictly through the UGC online portal following the instructions given in the notification.
- Upload all required documents including the single girl child affidavit on ₹50 stamp paper attested by a Gazetted Officer.
- Incomplete applications are not considered — check all mandatory fields before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Selection Procedure once a student has successfully applied for the scholarship?
I. The fellowship will be awarded on the basis of the recommendation of the Expert Committee constituted by the Commission. The decision of the Commission will be final. Result shall be published on the UGC website. Award letters can be downloaded from UGC online application portal. ii. If the Fellow is availing any other fellowship/ project from any organization at the time of selection, she shall be required to surrender one award. iii. The Commission reserves the right to withdraw/cancel the award without assigning any reason.
When can the successful candidate Join The Fellowship?
The candidate should join the fellowship within 3 months from the date of issue of the Award letter, failing which the award will be treated as canceled.
How will the progress of the candidate be monitored?
On the progress of research work, the research fellow shall submit a yearly progress report duly signed by Guide and forwarded by HOD and Registrar/Principal/Director of the concerned institution to the identified agency
Can the fellow Accept Any Other Fellowship Or Hold Any Appointment?
The fellow who is awarded Swami Vivekananda Fellowship for Single Girl Child for research in Social Sciences will not accept any other fellowship or hold any appointment, paid or otherwise, or receive any emoluments, salary, stipend, etc. from any other source during the tenure of the award (except in case of academic leave of one year).
What is the procedure if the Fellow Desirous Of Leaving The Research Mid-Way?
The fellow desirous of leaving the research mid-way without completing research degree will have to submit her resignation duly forwarded by the concerned University/College/Institute to the designated agency under intimation to UGC office. The grant will be released upto the date of resignation tendered by the fellow.
Under what conditions can UGC cancel the fellowship of the candidate?
UGC may terminate fellowship of any candidate in case of : i. If the fellow is found to be ineligible to receive the fellowship, at any point of time during the entire duration of the fellowship. ii. Any false information furnished by the applicant. iii. Misconduct of fellow. iv. Unsatisfactory progress of research work of the fellow. v. Any other fellowship/scholarship is drawn from other source(s) during the tenure of the fellowship.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Aadhaar card
- Proof of identity
- Proof of age (birth certificate or Class 10 marksheet)
- Bank account details
- Proof of Ph.D. enrolment in social sciences at an eligible institution
- Passport-size photograph
- Caste certificate (if applicable for age relaxation)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Transgender ID card (if applicable)
- Affidavit of being a single girl child on ₹50 stamp paper, attested by SDM/First Class Magistrate/Gazetted Officer