How is the merit list for fellowship awards prepared?

The merit list is drawn up through the NET examination. Preference is given to candidates who have already secured admission. If sufficient such candidates are not available, a separate merit list is prepared for others based on the NET examination.

How is confirmation for the continuation of the fellowship given by the University, and how often does this happen?

The University provides confirmation twice a year on a semester basis, within the 10th of the initial month of the semester. Fellowship is released accordingly within the 15th of every month.

What happens if a scholar has previously availed of other fellowships for a Ph.D.?

A scholar who has availed of other fellowships for a Ph.D. earlier is not eligible for a fellowship under this scheme.

Can a scholar reapply for this fellowship if they don't complete their research work during the fellowship period?

No, a scholar who doesn't complete their research work during the fellowship period is not eligible to apply again under this scheme.

Are there any provisions for House Rent Allowance (HRA), and how is it determined?

HRA is provided to students not provided with hostel accommodation. The rates are 8%, 16%, and 24% as applicable in the city/location where the research fellows are working, in accordance with Govt. of India norms.

Is there any assistance provided for Physically and Visually Handicapped Candidates?

Yes, there is assistance of Rs. 2,000/- per month for both JRF and SRF candidates in the form of Escort/Reader Assistance.

What are the contingency rates for Humanities & Social Sciences and Sciences streams for JRF and SRF?

For JRF, it's Rs. 10,000/- per year for initial two years in Humanities & Social Sciences and Rs. 12,000/- per year for Sciences. For SRF, it's Rs. 20,500/- per year for Humanities & Social Sciences and Rs. 25,000/- per year for Sciences.

What are the rates of fellowship for JRF and SRF candidates in different streams?

For JRF candidates, the rate is Rs. 31,000/- per month for initial two years, and for SRF, it's Rs. 35,000/- per month for the remaining tenure.

What is the duration of the fellowship for M.Phil., Ph.D., and combined M.Phil. + Ph.D. courses?

The maximum duration for M.Phil is 2 years, for Ph.D. it is 5 years, and for M.Phil + Ph.D., it is also 5 years.

Are there any provisions for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) within the Scheduled Caste category?

Yes, there is a provision for reservation for PwD who belong to the SC category as per the 'Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.' A minimum disability of 40% is required for eligibility.

Can individuals who are already employed in educational institutions avail this fellowship?

No, employees of any educational institution, including universities and government employees, cannot avail this fellowship.

How is the fellowship disbursed in terms of timing and mode?

The fellowship is disbursed from the date of the JRF award letter or the date of joining M.Phil./Ph.D., whichever is later. It is granted up to the date of Ph.D. thesis submission or a maximum of five years. The mode of disbursal is through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.

Is there a limit on the number of fellowships awarded each year?

The scheme provides 2000 new Fellowships annually, including 1500 Junior Research Fellowships for Humanities/Social Sciences and 500 Junior Research Fellowships for Science streams.

Which department oversees this fellowship scheme, and when was it introduced?

The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, introduced this scheme during the financial year 2005-06.

Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD

By Expertie Editorial Team · Expertie editorial desk

Overview

About CCSNFPFSCSMAP

The Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. and Ph.D., known in short as the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC), is a central sector scheme formulated and funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Since 1 October 2022 it is implemented by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), which acts as the central nodal agency for the scheme.

The scheme supports Scheduled Caste students who are pursuing research degrees, M.Phil and Ph.D, in the sciences, humanities and social sciences at universities, institutions and colleges recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The benefit is a fellowship paid as monthly financial assistance for the research period, and these slots are provided over and above the SC candidates who already come through the normal UGC and CSIR fellowship reservation.

Candidates are selected on merit through the UGC-NET (JRF) and the joint CSIR-UGC-NET (JRF) examinations. The ministry's stated aim is to help SC students take up advanced study and doctoral research, and so raise their participation in higher education.

Sources: National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students - Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Government of India) · National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students - Government Schemes India · myScheme - Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. and Ph.D. (Government of India)

Who runs it

Provider

Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment

Central Government

Department of Social Justice & Empowerment

At a glance

Key details

Level	Central
Scheme type	Central Sector Scheme
Category	Education & Learning, Social welfare & Empowerment
Beneficiaries	Individual
Benefit type	Cash
Application mode	Online

Calendar

Important dates

Across all open application cycles.

Important dates by cycle
Cycle	Stage	Date

Who can apply

Eligibility criteria

The applicant should be from a Scheduled Caste.
The applicant should be pursuing regular and full-time advanced studies/ research leading to an M.Phil/PhD Degree.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	a) National Eligibility Test - Junior Research Fellowship (NET - JRF) of UGC.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	b) UGC - Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC - CSIR) NET - JRF Joint Test.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	The applicant should be pursuing the program from a University/Institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as follows:
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	a) Central/State Universities (including constituent and affiliated institutions) are included under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act,1956 and has valid accreditation from NAAC.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	b) Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act i.e. Institutions for higher education notified by the Central Government to be deemed University, in consultation with UGC and having valid accreditation from NAAC.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	c) The institutions fully funded by the State/Central Government and empowered to award degrees.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	d) Institutions of National Importance as notified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	A scholar is eligible to receive only one fellowship at a time. The scholar will not accept/receive any other monetary benefit/ scholarship/ fellowship from any other source.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	Reservation/ Relaxation/ Preference/ Priority
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	Scheduled Castes candidates who have already secured admission and qualify NET examination will be given preference. Such candidates will be required to join the fellowship within 3 months of the issue of the JRF award letter.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	There will be an inclusive provision of reservation for Person with Disabilities (PwD) who belongs to the SC category for consideration as per norms of the existing quota of PwD., as per 'The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016". The minimum degree of disability should be 40% in order to be eligible for any concessions/benefits.
The applicant should have qualified one of the following tests	NOTE: In case sufficient candidates, who have already secured admission are unavailable, candidates who have not yet secured admission will also be selected in the order of merit in the NET examination.

Who cannot apply

Exclusions

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 to pursue the M.Phil./Ph.D. course.
A scholar who does not complete his/her research work during the period of fellowship shall not be eligible to apply again under this scheme.
Similarly, a scholar who has completely or partially availed any of these fellowships for PhD earlier shall also not be eligible for fellowship under this scheme.

What you get

Award & benefits

The scheme provides for 2000 new Fellowships (1500 Junior Research Fellows for Humanities/ Social Sciences and 500 Junior Research Fellows for Science stream) per year.
These slots are over and above the number of SC students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for UGC Fellowships.
The fellowship shall be paid from the date of issue of the JRF award letter under the Scheme for National Fellowship or the date of joining the M.Phil./Ph.D., whichever is later.
The fellowship shall be granted upto the date of submission of the Ph.D. thesis or five years of tenure, whichever is earlier. No extension is permissible beyond the total period of five years of fellowship.
Confirmation for continuation of the fellowship shall be given by the University twice a year on a semester basis within the 10th of the initial month of the semester. Based on this certification, the research scholars would be released the fellowship within the 15th of every month without any further intervention of the university.
With regard to the combined course of M.Phil and PhD, Fellowship will be provided initially for 02 years for M.Phil and after upgradation to Ph.D course, for another 03 years.
In case of integrated Ph.D. or M.Phil. to Ph.D., the maximum tenure is 5 years including the M.Phil. period of fellowship. For doing M.Phil., fellowship shall be granted for two years or upto the date of submission of the M.Phil. dissertation, whichever is earlier.
Duration of the Fellowship
Name of the Course: M.Phil; Maximum Duration: 2 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: NIL
Name of the Course: PhD; Maximum Duration: 5 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: Remaining 3 Years
Name of the Course: M.Phil + PhD; Maximum Duration: 5 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: Remaining 3 Years
Head: Fellowship in All Streams
Rate Applicable for JRF: ₹ 31,000/- p.m. for initial two years
Rate Applicable for SRF: ₹35,000/-p.m. for remaining tenure
Head: Contingency for Humanities & Social Sciences
Rate Applicable for JRF: ₹10,000/- p.a. for initial two years
Rate Applicable for SRF: ₹20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenure
Head: Contingency for Sciences
Rate Applicable for JRF: ₹12,000/- p.a. for initial two years
Rate Applicable for SRF: ₹25,000/-p.a. for remaining tenure.
Head: Escort/ Reader Assistance (All Subjects) for Physically and Visually Handicapped Candidates
Rate Applicable for JRF: ₹2,000/-p.m.
Rate Applicable for SRF: ₹ 2,000/-p.m.
Head: House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Rate Applicable: 8%, 16% and 24% to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation, in accordance with Govt. of India norms as applicable in the city/location where the research fellows are working.
The disbursal of the fellowship will be directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked Bank Account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

What to prepare

Documents required

Passport Sized Photograph

Aadhaar Number.

Self-attested Degree/Mark Sheet of the last qualifying exam.

Fee Receipt of ‘Current Course Year’.

Bank Details of the Aadhaar-linked Bank Account.

Caste certificate (issued by SDM or Tehsildar or any competent authority).

Declaration Certificate

Step by step

How to apply

1
Apply online
See the official links below for the application portal.

Source

Official links

Guidelines Modified Guidelines Website myScheme (Government of India)

Questions

CCSNFPFSCSMAP – FAQ

Disclaimer

Scheme details are compiled from myScheme, the Government of India’s official scheme-discovery platform, and are reproduced without alteration. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change between cycles — always confirm on the official links above before applying. Expertie does not process applications or charge fees.

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Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD(CCSNFPFSCSMAP)