- Financial assistance for regular full-time M.Phil. and Ph.D. courses
- ₹42,000/month fellowship support for eligible SC research scholars
- 2000 fellowships awarded annually across India
- Additional benefits including HRA, contingency grant, and reader assistance
- NFSC Toll-Free Helpline: 1800110396
- University Grants Commission (UGC) Phone: 011 23604446, 011 2360420
Summary of Scheme | |
|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students |
| Benefits | Fellowship up to ₹42,000/month + contingency, HRA, and support |
| Launch Year | November 2021 |
| Beneficiary | SC Students Pursuing Full Time M.Phil./Ph.D. through UGC-NET/CSIR-NET |
| Implementing Agency | National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC) |
| Subscription | Subscribe Here to Get Update Regarding Scheme. |
| Mode of Apply | Online |
Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview
The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme aims to provide 2000 fellowships annually to Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing higher studies leading to M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in UGC-recognized universities and institutions. As per the revised NSFDC notification, selected candidates receive financial assistance of ₹37,000 per month under the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and ₹42,000 per month under the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).
The scheme is implemented by the National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC), which acts as the Central Nodal Agency since 1 October 2022. Selection is made on the basis of merit in UGC-NET-JRF and CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF examinations, while NSFDC administers the fellowship.
The primary objective of the scheme is to support SC students in advanced studies and research, thereby enhancing their participation in higher education and promoting academic excellence.
Scheme Benefits
The fellowship provides financial assistance to research scholars in accordance with UGC norms. The details are presented below in a structured format:
Component | Category / Stage | Amount |
Fellowship Amount | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) – First 2 Years | ₹37,000 per month |
Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) – Remaining Tenure | ₹42,000 per month | |
Contingency Grant | Humanities & Social Sciences (Initial 2 Years) | ₹10,000 per year |
Humanities & Social Sciences (Remaining Tenure) | ₹20,500 per year | |
Science Stream (Initial 2 Years) | ₹12,000 per year | |
Science Stream (Remaining Tenure) | ₹25,000 per year | |
Additional Support | Escorts/Reader Assistance (for differently-abled students) | ₹2,000 per month |
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
HRA is provided to eligible students who are not provided hostel accommodation by the institution.
City Category | HRA Rate |
X Category Cities | 30% |
Y Category Cities | 20% |
Z Category Cities | 10% |
Other Areas | 9% |
Important HRA Conditions
- If hostel accommodation is provided, only hostel fees may be reimbursed.
- Students refusing hostel accommodation are not eligible for HRA.
- HRA is provided according to Government of India norms.
- Monthly HRA claim submission may be required.
Note: HRA & Other Facilities is provided as per eligibility and accommodation conditions (subject to Govt. norms), while medical and leave benefits are governed by UGC guidelines.
Duration of Fellowship by Course
Course | Maximum Duration | Admissibility of JRF and SRF | |
JRF Period | SRF Period | ||
M.Phil. | 2 years | 2 years | Nil |
Ph.D. | 5 years | 2 years | Remaining 3 years |
M.Phil. + Ph.D. | 5 years | 2 years | Remaining 3 years |
Important Duration Rules
- Maximum fellowship duration is 5 years.
- No extension beyond 5 years is allowed.
- Upgrade from JRF to SRF is based on satisfactory research progress.
- No fellowship is paid during the gap period between M.Phil. and Ph.D.
- Maximum allowed gap period between M.Phil. and Ph.D. is 2 years
Total fellowships available:
A total of 2000 fellowships are available annually.
Distribution of Fellowships
- 75% slots are allocated through UGC-NET-JRF
- 25% slots are allocated through CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF for Science stream
Note: Reservation for PwD candidates is applicable within the SC category as per Government norms.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category
- Must have qualified UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF
- Must be enrolled in a regular, full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme in a UGC-recognized institution
- The candidate must not be receiving any other fellowship, scholarship, or financial assistance during the tenure.
- Government employees are not eligible
- Students who previously availed this fellowship are not eligible again
- PwD candidates must have minimum 40% disability to avail benefits under the scheme.
- Candidates already admitted will be given preference
- Must join fellowship within:
- 3 months (if already admitted)
- Candidates not yet admitted must secure admission within 3 years from the date of award letter.
- Final-year postgraduate students may be allowed up to 1 year for joining
Selection Process
- Selection is based on merit in UGC-NET-JRF and CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF examinations
- NSFDC prepares the fellowship award list based on NET merit
- Preference is given to candidates with confirmed admission
- Separate merit lists may be prepared if required
- NSFDC's decision regarding award of fellowship shall be final
Disbursement of Funds
- Fellowship is transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
- Paid directly into beneficiary's bank account
- Aadhaar is used for identification
- Payments are released monthly after verification by the institution
- Universities confirm continuation twice a year (semester basis)
Important Notes / Guidelines
- Only NET-JRF qualified SC candidates are eligible
- Fellowship is available only for full-time regular research programmes
- Double benefits are not allowed
- SC certificate verification is mandatory
- Fellowship stops in case of discontinuation of course
- Excess payment, if any, must be refunded
- Unsatisfactory academic progress may lead to cancellation
- The fellowship is payable from the date of NET result or actual joining date, whichever is later.
- The fellowship is granted until submission of Ph.D. thesis or completion of 5 years, whichever is earlier.
Institution Eligibility
The fellowship is available for students studying in:
- Central Universities
- State Universities
- Deemed Universities recognized by UGC
- Institutions fully funded by Central/State Government
- Institutions of National Importance
- Colleges and institutions recognized under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act with valid NAAC accreditation
Required Conditions During Fellowship
- Must pursue full-time research
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Must follow institutional and UGC guidelines
- Progress evaluated regularly
Required Documents
- SC Caste Certificate
- NET-JRF qualification proof
- Admission/enrollment letter
- Aadhaar card
- Bank account details
- Self-declaration (no other fellowship)
- Passport size Photograph
- Any additional documents required by portal
Resignation and Transfer
- In case of resignation, institution must update portal and stop payments
- One-time transfer of institution may be allowed (as per norms)
- Cancellation of Fellowship
The fellowship may be cancelled if:
- Candidate is found ineligible
- False information is provided
- Misconduct or plagiarism
- Unsatisfactory progress
- Violation of guidelines
- Receiving another fellowship or employment
Steps to Apply
- Qualify UGC-NET-JRF / CSIR-NET-JRF
- Check eligibility (SC category, no other fellowship)
- Secure admission in recognized institution
- Apply through the NSFDC fellowship portal
- Document verification by institution
- Issue of award letter
- Fellowship disbursed via DBT
Relevant Links
- National Fellowship for SC students detail Pdf
- Department of Social Justice & Empowerment Official Portal
- National Scheduled Castes Finance And Development Corporation Official Portal
Contact Information
- Department of Social Justice & Empowerment Contact Details
- University Grants Commission (UGC) Phone: 011 23604446, 011 23604200
Frequently Asked Questions
A total of 2000 fellowships are awarded every year.
The scheme is implemented by the National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC).
SC students who have qualified UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF and are pursuing regular full-time M.Phil./Ph.D. courses are eligible.
Selected candidates receive ₹37,000 per month as JRF and ₹42,000 per month as SRF.
No. Students cannot receive any other fellowship, scholarship, salary, or financial assistance simultaneously.
The maximum duration of fellowship is 5 years.
No. Government employees are not eligible, even if they are on study leave.
Yes. HRA is provided as per Government of India norms to eligible students not provided hostel accommodation.
Aadhaar-based identification is used for fellowship disbursement.
Yes. Fellowship may be cancelled for ineligibility, misconduct, false information, unsatisfactory progress, or violation of scheme guidelines.
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| Person Type | Scheme Type | Govt |
|---|---|---|
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