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

CCSNFPFSCSMAP

2026 โœ“๐Ÿ“š Educationโœ… Rs. 31,000 per month๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ All India

Published: Sep 2026

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Reviewed by Navin, Editor · First published: 26 Sep 2026

Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD
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Written by Navin · Editor, tsmpb.inUpdated: 14 Oct 2026 · How we verify scheme facts

About this education scheme

Scheduled Caste students can apply for a fellowship to pursue M.Phil. or Ph.D. studies. The fellowship offers Rs. 31,000 per month for two years. Applications are ongoing and can be submitted online.

This fellowship scheme supports Scheduled Caste students in India to pursue higher studies leading to M.Phil. or Ph.D. degrees. It is managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to deserving students in various fields such as Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

By helping students with fellowships, the scheme promotes education and empowerment among the Scheduled Caste community.

Benefits at a glance

Scheme nameCentral Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD (CCSNFPFSCSMAP)
Launched byMinistry Of Social Justice and Empowerment
DepartmentDepartment of Social Justice & Empowerment
BenefitScheduled Caste students can apply for a fellowship to pursue M.Phil.
Benefit typeCash (money paid to your bank account)
CategoryEducation
Level / StateCentral ยท All India
Official portalugc.gov.in (link at the end of this page)

Key facts

Scheme typeCentral Sector Scheme
Scheme forIndividual
Application modeOnline
Last dateOngoing (no last date notified)
DBT (direct bank transfer)No
Number of Fellowships Available2000 new fellowships annually
Fellowship ValidityUp to five years or until thesis submission
Scheme Introduction Year2005-06
Age18 to 80 years

Who can apply (quick check)

  • ๐Ÿ‘คAll genders
  • ๐ŸŽ‚Age 18 to 80 years
  • ๐Ÿท๏ธSC
  • ๐Ÿ“Online

Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.

What you receive

Scheduled Caste students can apply for a fellowship to pursue M.Phil.
  • Rs. 31,000 per month for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) for first two years
  • Rs. 35,000 per month for Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) for the remaining tenure
  • Rs. 10,000 per year for JRF in Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Rs. 20,500 per year for SRF in Humanities & Social Sciences
  • Rs. 12,000 per year for JRF in Sciences
  • Rs. 25,000 per year for SRF in Sciences
  • Rs. 2,000 per month for Escort/Reader Assistance for disabled candidates

The fellowship is paid from the date of the JRF award letter or the date of joining the M.Phil./Ph.D. program, whichever is later. It continues until the submission of the Ph.D. thesis or a maximum of five years, whichever comes first.

Who qualifies

  • The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC).
  • The applicant must be pursuing full-time studies leading to an M.Phil. or Ph.D. degree.
  • The applicant must have qualified for the National Eligibility Test - Junior Research Fellowship (NET - JRF) or UGC - CSIR NET - JRF.
  • The program must be from a UGC-recognized institution.
  • Only one fellowship can be received at a time.

Who is not eligible

  • Employees of any educational institution or government are not eligible.
  • Those who have previously availed of any Ph.D. fellowship are not eligible.
  • Scholars who do not complete their research work during the fellowship period cannot reapply.

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Registration walkthrough

  1. Visit the UGC website when applications are invited.
  2. Fill out the online application form.
  3. Submit required documents.
  4. Wait for the merit list to be published.
  5. Download the award letter from the UGC portal if selected.
How to check status and payment

To check the application status, log in to the UGC portal or contact the helpline provided by UGC.

Real-life examples: are you eligible?

A quick way to gauge your eligibility: find the profile nearest to yours.

Raj is a 25-year-old SC student who has qualified for the NET-JRF. He is eligible for the fellowship to pursue his Ph.D. in Humanities.
Priya, aged 22, has secured admission for her M.Phil. and qualified for the NET-JRF. She is also eligible for the fellowship.
Amit is a 30-year-old SC employee at a university. He is not eligible because employees of educational institutions cannot apply.

Every case differs. Confirm your eligibility on the official portal before applying.

Common mistakes: why applications get rejected
  • Not providing complete documents can lead to rejection.
  • Missing the application deadline may disqualify the applicant.
  • Applying for multiple fellowships at the same time is not allowed.
  • Not qualifying for the NET-JRF can result in ineligibility.
  • Incorrect information in the application form can lead to rejection.

Frequently asked questions

How is the merit list for fellowship awards prepared?

The merit list is based on the NET examination. Preference is given to those with admission.

What happens if I do not complete my research work during the fellowship period?

You will not be eligible to reapply for the fellowship.

Is there assistance for disabled candidates?

Yes, there is a monthly assistance of Rs. 2,000 for disabled candidates.

How often is the fellowship payment released?

Fellowship payments are released monthly, based on university confirmation.

Can I apply if I am already employed?

No, employees of educational institutions cannot apply for this fellowship.

What is the maximum duration of the fellowship?

The maximum duration is five years for Ph.D. and two years for M.Phil.

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First draft prepared with editorial AI tools; every fact verified against the official notification and rewritten by our team.

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