14 UGC scholarships & fellowships

Reshma Ravishanker

Come February, the hustle-bustle for college and university admissions commences. Along with it comes planning for fee payment, applying for student loans, and scouring for scholarships. For students pursuing higher education in colleges and universities recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), here is a shortlist of 14 fellowship and scholarship options:

Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) In Science, Humanities and Social Sciences

• For scholars who undertake advanced studies and research leading to M. Phil/Ph.D. Degrees in Science, Humanities and Social Sciences including languages.
• 5-year fellowships for those candidates who qualify NET/JRF of the UGC and the UGC-CSIR Joint Test.
• Junior research fellows can avail Rs 31,000 while seniors can get Rs 35,000. 9,400 slots available per annum.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship For SC/ST Candidates

• For SC/ST candidates who have obtained a doctorate degree and have published research work to their credit for doing advanced research in their chosen areas.
• 100 slots available annually. In 2020, Rs. 19.73 crore was disbursed to 334 beneficiaries.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities & Social Sciences including languages

• For advanced studies and research in humanities and social sciences including languages to the candidates having Ph.D degree in the relevant subject.
• 200 slots available per year.
• Rs. 9.05 crore was disbursed to 202 beneficiaries in 2020.

Emeritus Fellowship

• For superannuated teachers upto the age of 70 years at all recognized Universities and Colleges under UGC.
• The number of slots available under this scheme is 100 for science stream and 100 for Humanities, Social Sciences and Languages (total 200 slots) at any one given time basis.

Research Award

• For permanent teachers of Institutions with doctorate degree having doctorate degree to pursue research in their areas of specialization without undertaking any research guidance for a period of two years, extendable by one year on the recommendation of the expert committee in exceptional cases.
• 100 slots available alternate years for disciplines of Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences and Engineering and Technology based on the recommendations of an expert Committee constituted by the UGC.

Research Scientist

• The scheme of Research Scientists to draw meritorious scientists of Indian origin, working abroad, with a view to promoting high quality research in Science, Engineering/ Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences at three levels- Research Scientist ‘A’ (Lecturer), Research Scientist ‘B’ (Reader), Research Scientist ‘C’ (Professor)

Free Education for Sports Medal Winners/Participants of National/ International Events

• Free Education for Sports Medal Winners, Participants of National or International Events.  
• Financial assistance will be provided to medal winners in national games or participants in recognized international sporting events recognized by World University Service, International Olympic Committee and Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA)
• Elite sports persons who are studying in Universities/Colleges leading to all the full-time regular courses including PG Diploma and other professional courses.

PG Scholarships for Professional courses to SC, ST Students

• The tenure of the scholarship is for two/three years, depending upon the duration of the Degree course.
• The number of slots is 1000 every year.
• Students pursuing M.Tech programmes are given scholarships of Rs 78,000 per year and students pursuing other professional programmes are given scholarships of Rs 45,000 per annum.

PG Scholarships for University Rank Holders

• To reward meritorious students with outstanding performance at undergraduate level for pursuing post-graduate studies.
• The first and second rank holders at under-graduate level and admitted in any post-graduate course are eligible for this scholarship.
• Students who have taken admission in regular, full-time master’s degree courses in any recognized State/deemed university and autonomous or PG college and are below the age of 30 years at the time of admission in PG course.
• 3000 students eligible every year. The selected students are given fellowship Rs 37,200 per annum.

PG Scholarship for M.E/M. Tech/M.Pharma to GATE/GPAT Qualified Students

• To push students for technical education at PostGraduate level in Higher Education Institutions.
• Financial assistance in the form of scholarship is provided to GATE/GPAT qualified students for pursuing M.E./ M.Tech/ M. Pharma through full time/regular mode in Universities/ Institutes/ Colleges in India.
• 1200 scholarships offered every year. Rs 12,400 per month is given to students who score above 60% marks in GATE/GPAT.

Scholarship Scheme for Northeastern Region (NER)

• Targets children belonging to economically weaker sections of the NE region by providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships to 10,000 students every year.
• The students with domicile of NER, who have passed Class XII or equivalent exam from a school situated within NER through any recognized Board of Education and have secured admission in general degree course, technical and professional courses including medical and para-medical courses (Integrated courses included) in Universities/Colleges/Institutions recognized by UGC, Institutions of National Importance/ Institutions recognized by other Statutory councils within as well as outside the States of NER are eligible.
• Income of the parents of students should not exceed Rs.4.5 lakh per annum.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND SCHEMES FOR WOMEN / GIRLS

PG Indira Gandhi Scholarships for Single Girl Child

• Single girl child of her parents who has taken admission in a regular, full time first year master’s degree course (Non-professional course) in any recognized university or a postgraduate college is eligible.
• The Girl students (single girl child) up to the age of 30 years, at the time of admission in PG courses, are eligible.
• The selected students are given scholarships of Rs 36,200 a year.

Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences

• Applicable for a single girl child who has taken admission in regular, full -time Ph. D. program in Social Sciences in any recognized University/ Institute.
• No cap on the number of fellowships to be awarded every year.
• An amount of Rs. 15.25 crore was disbursed to 273 beneficiaries in 2020.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship for Women

• For unemployed women candidates holding Ph.D. degrees and intending to pursue post-doctoral research in Science, Engineering and Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences.
• UGC has been providing 100 fellowships per annum. In 2020 an amount of Rs 20.95 crore was disbursed to 437 beneficiaries.  

Source: Ministry of Education, department of higher education