National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (NFSC) Students: 2026-27 Guidelines

The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students is a prestigious Central Sector Scheme designed to empower SC students by providing financial support for pursuing full-time M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees. If you are aiming for a career in research and higher education, this fellowship ensures that financial constraints do not hinder your academic growth in Sciences, Humanities, or Social Sciences.

Fellowship Highlights & Scope

The scheme provides 2,000 new fellowships annually, distributed as follows:

Humanities & Social Sciences: 1,500 slots (via UGC-NET JRF).
Sciences: 500 slots (via Joint UGC-CSIR NET JRF).

Feature	Details
Implementing Agency	National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)
Academic Streams	Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Total Duration	Maximum 5 years (including M.Phil period)
Accreditation	Must be a UGC-recognized University/Institution with NAAC accreditation

Eligibility Criteria

Category: Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
Exam Qualification: Must have qualified NET-JRF (UGC) or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF.
Admission Status: Preference is given to those already enrolled in M.Phil/Ph.D. However, non-admitted qualified candidates can still apply and are given up to 3 years to secure admission.
Exclusions: Employees of any University/Government body are not eligible, even if they are on study leave.
One Fellowship Policy: You cannot hold any other scholarship or paid appointment during the fellowship tenure.

Financial Assistance (Monthly Rates)

The fellowship rates are at par with UGC guidelines (effective from 01.01.2019):

1. Monthly Stipend

Junior Research Fellow (JRF): ₹31,000 per month (Initial 2 years).
Senior Research Fellow (SRF): ₹35,000 per month (Remaining 3 years).

2. Annual Contingency Grant

Humanities & Social Sciences: ₹10,000 (JRF) | ₹20,500 (SRF).
Sciences: ₹12,000 (JRF) | ₹25,000 (SRF).

3. Additional Benefits

HRA: 8%, 16%, or 24% of the fellowship (based on city category) if hostel accommodation is not provided.
Escort/Reader Assistance: ₹2,000 per month for PwD candidates.
Leave: Provision for maternity leave and medical facilities as per UGC norms.

Application & Selection Process

Selection Base: Purely based on the merit of the UGC-NET or CSIR-NET JRF exams.
Joining Window: * Candidates with admission must join within 3 months of receiving the award letter.
- Candidates without admission have 1 year (if PG final year/completed) or up to 3 years to join a program.
Verification: The host University/Institution is responsible for verifying the genuineness of the SC Certificate.
How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through the NSFDC online portal.