National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
| Scheme Name | National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students |
| Provided By | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
The National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students is a central sector scheme providing financial assistance to ST students for pursuing M.Phil, Ph.D, and other higher education courses.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹5.0 Lakh+
The "National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students" scheme comprises two main components: the National Fellowship Scheme and the National Scholarship Scheme. All disbursements are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. **National Fellowship Scheme (for M.Phil/Ph.D.):** * **Junior Research Fellowship (JRF):** ₹31,000 per month for the first two years. * **Senior Research Fellowship (SRF):** ₹35,000 per month from the third year onwards, upon satisfactory progress. * **Contingency Grant:** * For Humanities & Social Sciences: ₹10,000 per annum (JRF period) and ₹20,500 per annum (Ph.D. period). * For Science, Engineering & Technology: ₹12,000 per annum (JRF period) and ₹25,000 per annum (SRF period). * **House Rent Allowance (HRA):** As per the rules of the corresponding institution. * **Escorts/Reader Assistance:** ₹2,000 per month for physically handicapped and blind candidates. **National Scholarship Scheme (for Graduate/Postgraduate courses in premier institutions):** * **Tuition and Admission Fees:** Full tuition and other non-refundable dues for government/government-funded institutions. For private sector institutions, a ceiling of ₹2.50 lakh per annum per student applies. * **Stipend:** ₹3,000 per month. * **Books and Stationery:** ₹5,000 per annum (without bills/vouchers). * **Computer and Accessories:** A one-time assistance of ₹45,000 for the purchase of a desktop, laptop, or related accessories (without bills/vouchers).
Full tuition fee, Living expenses, Books & Stationery grant, Computer grant (₹45,000 one-time).
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Postgraduate, PhD, Research |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Minimum Marks | 55% |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹6.0 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
Selection Process
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National Fellowship Scheme:
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750 fresh fellowships are awarded annually for M.Phil., Ph.D., or integrated M.Phil + Ph.D. programs.
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In case applications exceed the number of available slots, selection is based on marks obtained in the post-graduation examination.
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Preference is given to girls, Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities), and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
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Students admitted to IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, and IISERs are given priority.
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National Scholarship Scheme:
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The scholarship is for eligible ST students who have secured admission on merit in identified premier institutions for graduate or postgraduate level courses.
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There is no institute-wise, state-wise, or stream-wise ceiling on the number of slots, meaning every eligible and verified student can receive the scholarship.
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Candidates are selected based on admission to approved institutes and courses, followed by verification by the institute and the Ministry.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship, once awarded, continues till the completion of the course tenure. Renewal is subject to satisfactory academic performance, which must be certified by the respective institution annually.
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For National Fellowship, students are required to submit yearly progress reports and upload continuation certificates on the portal for continuous fellowship disbursement.
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For renewal applications, students typically log in to the National Scholarship Portal using their previous application ID and date of birth.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1One Time Registration (OTR)
* Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at [scholarships.gov.in](https://scholarships.gov.in/). * First-time applicants must complete a One Time Registration (OTR). * This requires an Aadhaar-linked mobile number and may involve face authentication. * Upon successful registration, a unique student application ID and password will be generated and sent to your registered mobile number.
- 2Application Submission
* Log in to the NSP using your OTR ID and password. * Navigate to the 'Applicant Corner' and select the relevant scheme (National Fellowship or National Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students). * Fill in all the necessary personal, academic, and bank details accurately in the online application form.
- 3Document Upload
* Mandatorily upload required documents such as your latest colored passport-size photograph, ST/PVTG certificate, 10th/Matriculation certificate (for DOB proof), Divyangjan certificate (if applicable), Post-Graduation mark sheet (for fellowship), admission/joining certificate from the institution, and income certificate for the preceding financial year (for scholarship). * The portal is integrated with DigiLocker, allowing you to fetch documents stored there.
- 4Institute Verification
* After submission, your application will be verified online by your educational institution. Ensure your institute's Nodal Officer is registered on the NSP.
- 5Status Tracking
* You can track the status of your application by logging into the NSP with your OTR ID and password under the 'Application Status' section. * Important updates and notifications will be sent via SMS and email to your registered contact details.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Can I apply for other Central or State Government scholarships if I receive this scholarship/fellowship?
No, students availing the "National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students" are not eligible to receive any other scholarship or fellowship from the Central or State Government for the same course of study to avoid duplication of benefits.
Is there an income limit to be eligible for the scheme?
For the **National Scholarship Scheme** (for Graduate/Postgraduate courses), the total family income from all sources must not exceed ₹6.0 lakh per annum. For the **National Fellowship Scheme** (for M.Phil./Ph.D. programs), there are no income criteria for eligibility.
What happens if a student is unable to complete their M.Phil./Ph.D. course while on fellowship?
If a student pursuing an M.Phil. or Ph.D. under the National Fellowship Scheme is unable to complete their course for any reason, they are liable to refund 50% of the total fellowship amount received to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
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Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Ministry of Tribal Affairs website before final submission.