The National Fellowship scheme for Scheduled Caste Students is a Central Sector Scheme introduced to provide opportunities to Scheduled Castes students for pursuing higher education leading to M.Phil/Ph.D degrees in Sciences, Humanities, and Social Science streams. The objective is to provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students belonging to the SC category to pursue these higher studies in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) has been declared as the Central Nodal Agency (CNA) for implementing the scheme.
Job Overview
The scheme provides for 2000 new Fellowships per year (1500 Junior Research Fellows for Humanities/ Social Sciences and 500 Junior Research Fellows for Science stream) to Scheduled Caste students to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil/Ph.D Degrees. These slots are over and above the number of SC students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for UGC Fellowships.
Important Dates
- Last Date: 20 Dec 2026
Eligibility Criteria
- Fellowships shall be awarded to candidates for pursuing regular and full-time M.Phil./Ph.D. courses in Universities/Research Institutions recognized by UGC.
- Candidates must have qualified in the National Eligibility Test-Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC or the UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF joint test.
- A scholar is eligible to receive only one fellowship at a time. The scholar shall not accept any other fellowship/scholarship 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).
- 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.
- A scholar who has completely or partially availed any of these fellowships for Ph.D. earlier shall also not be eligible for fellowship under this scheme.
Fellowship Details and Duration
The rates of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC Fellowships. The rates applicable w.e.f. 01.01.2019 are as follows:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): Rs. 31,000/- p.m. for initial two years.
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): Rs. 35,000/- p.m. for remaining tenure (after two years, if progress is satisfactory).
- Contingency for Humanities & Social Sciences: JRF Rs. 10,000/- p.a. for initial two years; SRF Rs. 20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenure.
- Contingency for Sciences: JRF Rs. 12,000/- p.a. for Initial two years; SRF Rs 25,000/- p.a. for remaining tenure.
- Escort/Reader assistance (for physically and visually handicapped candidates): JRF Rs. 2,000/- p.m.; SRF Rs. 2,000/- p.m.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Admissible according to Govt. of India norms if hostel accommodation is not provided.
Duration of Fellowship:
- M.Phil: 2 Years
- Ph.D: 5 Years
- M.Phil + Ph.D: 5 Years (JRF 2 years, SRF remaining 3 years)
Selection Process
The selection for the award of fellowship to students will be made on the basis of merit of each UGC-NET-JRF or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF examination. Preference will be given to such students who have already secured admission. In case sufficient candidates who have already secured admission are not available, candidates who have not yet secured admission will also be selected in the order of merit in the NET examination. The decision of the NSFDC in regard to awarding the Fellowship shall be final.
How to Apply
NSFDC is the implementing agency for the National Fellowship scheme for SC students. Candidates who have already secured admission and qualify NET examination will be required to join the fellowship within 3 months of the issue of the JRF award letter. Qualified candidates who have not secured admission at the time of application for Fellowship under the Scheme are required to get admission for regular and full-time M.Phil./Ph.D in a recognized research institution within the specified timeline (up to three years from the date of award of fellowship depending on their educational status). Award letters can be downloaded from the NSFDC online application portal or as advertised by NSFDC. Genuineness of the Scheduled Caste Certificate furnished by the awardee shall be verified by the concerned University/Institution.
Official Notification & Links
Conclusion
Eligible Scheduled Caste students who have qualified UGC-NET-JRF or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF and wish to pursue M.Phil/Ph.D degrees should take note of this fellowship opportunity implemented by NSFDC and ensure they meet the admission and application requirements before the specified deadline.
