The National Fellowship for Scheduled Castes (NFSC) is undergoing a review. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment confirmed the scheme’s income criteria and financial elements are currently under revision. This update comes as the scheme prepares for the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
Fellowship Details Undergoing Changes
The Ministry of Education informed Parliament that the NFSC scheme is being revised. The review includes its financial components and the income thresholds for eligibility. This process is part of preparations for the upcoming financial cycle.
Current Fellowship Structure
The NFSC provides fellowships to Scheduled Caste (SC) students. These are for MPhil and PhD programs. The programs must be in Sciences, Humanities, or Social Sciences. Colleges and universities must be UGC-recognized.
Approximately 2,000 NFSC fellowships are offered annually. The intake aligns with approved limits and eligibility guidelines.
Financial Aspects of the Fellowship
Currently, the fellowship provides monthly stipends for Junior Research Fellows (JRF) and Senior Research Fellows (SRF). These amounts range from ₹25,000 to ₹28,000 per month . This sum includes a House Rent Allowance (HRA) based on set norms.
The fellowship duration is for a maximum of five years. Continued support each year depends on satisfactory academic performance. Recommendations from competent authorities are required for renewal.
Intake and Reservation Policy
The current fellowship intake was approved based on Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) approval. This covers the financial cycle from 2021-22 to 2025-26 .
As per government reservation policy, 3% of fellowships are allocated to SC students. Fellowship claims can be submitted between the 1st and 15th of each month . Disbursements follow case processing.
Revision Process
The revision of the SC fellowship scheme will incorporate recommendations. These come from evaluation reports and established procedures. The process involves consultation with all relevant ministries and departments.