Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Higher education and research can open doors to new opportunities, but pursuing a Ph.D. also requires time, dedication, and financial support. To support eligible single girl children in continuing their doctoral studies, the Government of India introduced the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC). This fellowship provides financial assistance to eligible candidates pursuing a regular, full-time Ph.D. in recognised Indian institutions. Under the current rates listed on the official UGC scheme page, selected scholars receive ₹37,000 per month during the first two years as Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and ₹42,000 per month during the remaining tenure as Senior Research Fellows (SRF), subject to the applicable conditions. The scheme also provides annual contingency grants for research-related expenses and other applicable assistance.

The fellowship is administered by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Its objectives include promoting higher education among single girl children, recognising the importance of the small-family norm, and encouraging the social recognition of single girl children. Although the scheme's objectives refer to Social Sciences, eligible candidates can pursue Ph.D. research in any stream or subject, provided they meet the prescribed conditions.

To apply for the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship, a candidate must generally be the only girl child in her family, without a brother or sister. Twin or fraternal daughters are also eligible under the specified rules. The applicant must be pursuing a regular, full-time Ph.D. and meet the prescribed age limit, which is generally up to 40 years for the General category and up to 45 years for the specified reserved categories and Persons with Disabilities (PwD). Part-time, distance-mode and open-mode Ph.D. programmes are not covered. Applicants must also provide the prescribed single-girl-child affidavit and satisfy the applicable institutional and documentary requirements.

The fellowship can continue for up to five years or until the Ph.D. thesis is submitted, whichever occurs earlier. Applications are submitted online through the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal when applications are invited. Prospective applicants should check the UGC website and the fellowship portal for the latest notification before preparing their applications.

For assistance, applicants can contact the University Grants Commission through its official contact page. The UGC's published contact details include telephone numbers 011-23604446 and 011-23604200, and the email address [email protected]. For scheme-specific questions, applicants should also check the instructions and contact information available on the fellowship portal.

Students exploring other education-support opportunities can also read about the Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child, which supports eligible single girl children pursuing postgraduate studies, and the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to eligible college and university students. These schemes have different eligibility conditions and benefits, so students should check their respective guidelines before applying.

Scheme Benefits

The Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC) provides financial support to eligible single girl children pursuing a full-time Ph.D. in India. The main benefits of this fellowship include:

• Selected scholars receive ₹37,000 per month for the first two years of their Ph.D. as Junior Research Fellows (JRF).
• After the first two years, the monthly fellowship increases to ₹42,000 for the remaining eligible tenure as Senior Research Fellows (SRF), subject to satisfactory research progress and applicable rules.
• Humanities and Social Sciences scholars receive a contingency grant of ₹10,000 per year during the first two years and ₹20,500 per year thereafter.
• Science, Engineering and Technology scholars receive a contingency grant of ₹12,000 per year during the first two years and ₹25,000 per year thereafter.
• Eligible scholars with disabilities can receive ₹3,000 per month for escort or reader assistance, as applicable under the scheme rules.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) may be provided according to the applicable Government of India rules and the scholar's accommodation arrangements.
• The fellowship can continue for up to five years or until the Ph.D. thesis is submitted, whichever occurs earlier, subject to the scheme's conditions.
• The fellowship helps scholars manage their living expenses and research-related costs while working towards their doctoral degree.

Fellowship Amount and Financial Assistance

The Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child provides monthly financial support to eligible Ph.D. scholars, along with an annual grant to help cover research-related expenses. The amount depends on the stage of the fellowship and the scholar's field of study.

The contingency grant helps scholars meet eligible research expenses. It is paid annually, not monthly. The fellowship can continue for up to five years or until the Ph.D. thesis is submitted, whichever occurs earlier, subject to the scheme rules.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC), applicants should check whether they meet the scheme's eligibility conditions. The main requirements are as follows:

• The applicant must be a single girl child of her parents, with no brother or sister. Twin or fraternal daughters are also eligible under the applicable rules.
• The applicant must be pursuing a Ph.D. in any subject or stream at a recognised university, college or institution in India.
• The Ph.D. programme must be regular and full-time. Part-time, distance-learning and open-mode Ph.D. programmes are not eligible.
• The applicant must generally be up to 40 years of age. The age limit is relaxed up to 45 years for SC/ST/OBC and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), as specified in the scheme guidelines. Age is considered on the last date of application.
• The applicant must submit the prescribed affidavit declaring that she is the only girl child in the family. It must be prepared on ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper and attested by an authorised officer as specified in the guidelines.
• The applicant must meet the documentation and verification requirements prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and her institution.
• Fellowship slots are decided each year based on the eligible online applications received in complete form. Meeting the eligibility conditions does not automatically guarantee selection.

Applicants should read the official UGC scheme guidelines carefully and check the latest application notification for any updated conditions before applying.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep the required documents ready before filling out the online application for the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC). The documents help verify the applicant's eligibility and Ph.D. details. These may include:

• A recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature in the prescribed format.
• An affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper confirming that the applicant is the only girl child in the family, prepared in the format given in the UGC guidelines and attested by an SDM, First Class Magistrate or Tehsildar. If the parents are no longer alive, the guardian may submit the affidavit as permitted under the guidelines.
• Details and supporting documents related to the applicant's postgraduate education.
• Ph.D. registration and admission details from the recognised university, college or institution.
• A research proposal and its abstract, if required in the application portal.
• The application form generated through the portal, signed by the Head of Department (HoD) or Registrar, if required by the current application instructions.

Steps to Apply

If you meet the eligibility conditions for the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC), the next step is to complete the online application carefully. Applications are accepted through the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal when the scheme is open for applications. Follow these steps to fill out the form.

• Open the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant Portal and look for the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child. If applications are open, select the registration option, such as "New User", and enter the details requested. Keep your email address, scanned photograph and signature ready in the format specified on the portal.
• After registering, check your email for the login details or instructions provided by the portal. Log in to your account and change your password if prompted.
• Open your dashboard and review your personal details. Find the "Eligibility Criteria" section, read the conditions carefully and check that you meet the requirements before continuing.
• Complete the eligibility section and upload the required affidavit confirming that you are a single girl child. Make sure the affidavit follows the format and attestation rules given in the UGC guidelines. Check the information carefully before moving to the next step.
• Fill in your postgraduate education details and provide the requested information about your Ph.D. registration and research. Upload your research proposal, abstract and any other documents required by the application form.
• Read the declaration carefully and check that all the information you have entered is correct. Submit the application according to the portal's instructions. If a signed form from your Head of Department (HoD) or Registrar is required, complete that step as directed.
• Before finishing, make sure all mandatory sections are complete and your uploaded documents are clear and readable. Download or save a copy of the submitted application and keep it for future reference.

Registration steps and document requirements may change between application cycles. Follow the instructions displayed on the portal and in the latest UGC notification. If applications are not currently open, check the portal again when a new notification is issued.

Relevant Links

• Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child On The Official Website
• UGC Fellowship and Research Grant Portal
• Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child Guidelines
• Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child User Manual

Contact Information

University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education, Government of India

• Phone: 011-23604446, 011-23604200
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002, India
• University Grants Commission Contact Details

For questions about application procedures or required documents, applicants should first check the scheme guidelines and the fellowship portal. The contact details above are UGC's general enquiry details; applicants should confirm whether a separate scheme-specific contact is listed in the latest notification.