Scholarship
Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others)(SHREYAS)
Overview
About SHREYAS
The Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme, known as SHREYAS, is a central sector programme run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. In its OBC and Others form, it groups together two existing central schemes that address the higher-education needs of Other Backward Classes and Economically Backward Class students.
The two components support different stages of study. The National Fellowship for OBC students gives financial assistance to those pursuing M.Phil and Ph.D degrees at universities and recognised research institutions, and is administered through the University Grants Commission. The Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies covers the interest on education loans for OBC and EBC students studying abroad, delivered through a designated nodal bank. Both are paid as cash benefits.
The scheme is meant for individual OBC and EBC students who meet the income and academic conditions set for each component. Its stated purpose is the educational empowerment of these groups, helping them reach postgraduate research within India and financing overseas study through subsidised loan interest rather than direct tuition grants.
Sources: SHREYAS - myScheme (Government of India) · SHREYAS Scheme for OBC & Others - Drishti IAS
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 |
| Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit type | Cash |
| Application mode | Offline |
Calendar
Important dates
Across all open application cycles.
| Cycle | Stage | Date |
|---|
Who can apply
Eligibility criteria
| The applicant must be a student belonging to the Other Backward Classes category. | |
| The applicant should have qualified the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship, as per the relevant examination notifications. | |
| The applicant should be eligible for the award of the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes and should secure placement in a University, Indian Institute of Technology, or recognised institution. | |
| The applicant should pursue a regular and full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme in a recognised University or research institution. | |
| The applicant should not be entitled to receive any other fellowship or similar financial benefit from the Central Government, State Government, University Grants Commission, or any other body offering similar benefits. | |
| The applicant should commence the fellowship from the date of declaration of the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes result or the date of joining the M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme, whichever is later, in applicable cases. | |
| The applicant should note that the validity period of the Junior Research Fellowship offer is 3 years from the date of issue of the award letter. | |
| The applicant’s fellowship tenure may be extended from Junior Research Fellow to Senior Research Fellow after 2 years, subject to satisfactory assessment of research progress as per University Grants Commission norms. | |
| The total period of fellowship as Junior Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow together should not exceed 5 years. | |
| Reservation and Relaxation: 5% of the total fellowship seats are reserved for students with disabilities. |
Who cannot apply
Exclusions
- The employees of any University/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government shall be excluded from availing the fellowship, even if they are on study leave of Extraordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D.
What you get
Award & benefits
- The scheme provides 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships per year for eligible OBC students. Out of the total 1,000 slots, 750 fellowship slots are allocated for subjects covered under the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship.
- The remaining 250 fellowship slots are allocated for subjects covered under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship for Science streams.
- These 1,000 fellowship slots are over and above the number of Other Backwards Classes students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for University Grants Commission fellowships.
- Rate of fellowship: The rates of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC Fellowships. Presently, these rates are as follows:
- Fellowship in Science, Humanities and Social Science₹ 31,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 35,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Fellowship in Engineering & Technology₹ 31,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 35,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Contingency for Humanities & Social Science₹ 10,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 20,500/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology₹ 12,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 25,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Escorts/Reader assistance (All Subjects)₹ 2,000/- PM in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates
- The House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be on the UGC pattern and will be payable to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation. In case hostel accommodation offered by the University/institution is refused, the student will forfeit his claim of HRA. Other facilities, such as medical facilities, leave, including maternity leave, will be governed as per the guidelines of the UGC in case of their fellowship programme.
What to prepare
Documents required
Step by step
How to apply
- 1Apply offline
See the official links below for the application portal.
Source
Official links
Questions
SHREYAS – 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.