National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026

National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026, The National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026, offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, provides financial support in the form of fellowships to Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing higher studies leading to M.Phil. or Ph.D. degrees in Science, Humanities, or Social Sciences at Indian universities, colleges, and institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Each year, the scheme awards 2,000 new fellowships, comprising:

1,500 fellowships for Junior Research Fellows (JRF) in Humanities and Social Sciences, and
500 fellowships for Junior Research Fellows (JRF) in Science.

These fellowships are granted to SC students who have qualified in one of the following examinations:

The UGC National Eligibility Test–Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF), or
The UGC–CSIR NET-JRF joint test

These allocations are in addition to the SC candidates selected under the government’s regular reservation policy for UGC fellowships. The scheme follows the same implementation and guidelines as other UGC fellowship programmes for M.Phil./Ph.D. scholars.

Selected candidates will receive a fellowship amount of up to ₹42,000, along with additional benefits as per the scheme norms.

Please read the complete article to learn about the details like Scholarship Funding Amount, Eligibility Criteria and Selection Process and apply before deadline.

Last Date of Application: 20^th December 2026

Table of Contents

Eligibility National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026

Application Deadline: 20 December 2026

To be eligible for the National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026, applicants must:

Belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category as per their respective state government list.
Be enrolled in a regular, full-time M.Phil./Ph.D. program at a UGC-recognised university or research institution.
Have qualified in the UGC-NET, UGC-NET-JRF, or GATE examination.

Additional Notes:

Priority is given to SC candidates who have already secured admission and qualified NET; they must join the fellowship within three months of receiving the JRF award letter.
If insufficient admitted candidates are available, NET-qualified candidates without admission may also be selected in merit order, provided they gain admission to a recognised M.Phil./Ph.D. program.
Students who have completed or are in the final year of their postgraduate degree will be preferred and granted up to one year to join; others may take up to three years from the award letter date.
Only one fellowship can be availed at a time; awardees must relinquish any existing scholarship or monetary support.
Candidates who previously used a fellowship for a Ph.D. or did not complete earlier research within the fellowship duration are ineligible.
After two years of JRF, satisfactory progress will allow promotion to SRF for up to three more years.
For integrated M.Phil.–Ph.D. programs, the fellowship covers five years total (2 years for M.Phil. + 3 years for Ph.D.), excluding any gap period of up to two years.
Fellowship begins from either the date of the Joint CSIR-UGC NET result (if already enrolled) or the actual date of joining the program.
University/college/government employees (even on study leave) are not eligible.
The fellowship continues only until thesis submission or five years, whichever occurs first.

Benefits National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026

The fellowship rates follow UGC norms. As of 1 January 2019, the applicable rates are:

Particulars	Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)	Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)
Fellowship (all streams)	₹37,000/month (first 2 years)	₹42,000/month (remaining period)
Contingency – Humanities/Social Sciences	₹10,000/year	₹20,500/year
Contingency – Sciences	₹12,000/year	₹25,000/year
Escort/Reader assistance (PwD)	₹2,000/month	₹2,000/month

House Rent Allowance (HRA):

Provided at 10%, 20%, or 30%, depending on city classification.
HRA is not granted if the scholar refuses available hostel accommodation.
If hostel accommodation is unavailable, rent reimbursement is allowed within HRA limits.

Additional benefits include medical facilities, leave entitlements (including maternity leave), and other UGC-governed provisions.

Required Documents National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026

SC caste certificate
Disability certificate (if applicable)
Previous academic marksheets and certificates
Aadhaar card
PAN card
Passport-sized photograph
Bank account details
Contact information
Admission letter for M.Phil./Ph.D.
Research proposal
NET/CSIR-NET/GATE scorecard (as applicable)
Hostel accommodation proof (if applicable)
Income certificate (if required)
Any additional documents requested in the official form

How to Apply National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026

Click the ‘Apply Now’ button.
Select ‘Register’ and complete the required information.
(If already registered, log in using Gmail, mobile number, or email.)
No separate fellowship application is required. Selection is based solely on UGC-NET-JRF or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF merit, assessed directly by the government authorities.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: 20 December 2026

Selection Criteria National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026

Fellowships are awarded strictly on the merit of candidates’ performance in the UGC-NET-JRF or UGC-CSIR-NET-JRF examinations, with preference given to candidates who already hold admission.

Terms and Conditions National Fellowship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) 2026

The scheme grants 2,000 new fellowships each year:
- 1,500 for Humanities & Social Sciences
- 500 for Science streams
Slot distribution:
- 75% via UGC NET-JRF
- 25% via UGC-CSIR NET-JRF
Unfilled slots may be reallocated between the two examinations for the same year.
If ≥25% slots remain vacant, allocations may be reviewed for the next cycle.
These fellowship slots are in addition to SC reservations in other UGC fellowships.
Reservation for SC–PwD candidates applies per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (minimum 40% disability).
Fellowship continuity must be confirmed by universities every semester.
Scholars must report discontinuation or inadmissible leave; overpayments must be refunded.
NET-qualified candidates with admission must join within three months; those without admission must enroll within three years.
Institutions must verify SC certificates before releasing fellowship funds.
Decisions made by the Ministry/NSFDC are final and binding.