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 | Postgraduate, PhD, Research · ST · Family income up to ₹6 Lakh/year |
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
₹5.7 Lakh+
The scheme has two components: National Fellowship and National Scholarship. **National Fellowship (for M.Phil./Ph.D. students):** * Monthly Fellowship: ₹31,000 for the first two years (Junior Research Fellowship - JRF) and ₹35,000 per month for the subsequent three years (Senior Research Fellowship - SRF) for Ph.D. programs. * Annual Contingency Grant: For Humanities & Social Sciences: ₹10,000 (JRF) and ₹20,500 (SRF). For Science/Engineering & Technology: ₹12,000 (JRF) and ₹25,000 (SRF). * House Rent Allowance (HRA): As per UGC rates (8%, 16%, or 24% based on city). * Escort Allowance for Divyangjan students: ₹2,000 per month. **National Scholarship (for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Professional Courses):** * Tuition and Admission Fees: Full coverage for Government/Government-funded institutions; a ceiling of ₹2,50,000 per annum for private institutions. * Books and Stationery: ₹5,000 per annum. * Monthly Stipend: ₹3,000. * One-time assistance for Computer and Accessories: ₹45,000 during the course tenure. All scholarship and fellowship amounts are disbursed directly into the beneficiaries' Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. For the scholarship component, amounts for computer and accessories, books, and stipend are released to students' Aadhaar-seeded accounts. Tuition and admission fees may be released directly to the institution or reimbursed to the student if already paid upon submission of receipts/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 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Divyangjan / Physically Challenged with disability certificate
- ✓Master degree mark sheet [all years/semester marks with consolidated grade sheet]
- ✓Conversion formula sheet [in case of CGPA/OGPA/FGPA]
- ✓Valid document for joined course in university (Bonafide Certificate)
- ✓10th/matriculation certificate (for Date of Birth proof)
- ✓ST certificate
- ✓Aadhaar details
Selection Process
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The scheme has two components:
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National Fellowship:
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750 new fellowships are awarded each year for M.Phil., Ph.D., or integrated M.Phil. + Ph.D. programs.
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If the number of eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST) applicants exceeds 750, selection is made on the basis of marks obtained in the postgraduate examination.
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There is no state or university-wise ceiling on the number of slots.
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National Scholarship:
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All eligible students who have secured admission on merit to the identified premier institutes (a notified list of institutions by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs) are eligible.
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There is no institute-wise, state-wise, or stream-wise ceiling on the number of slots.
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Students admitted through a management quota in a private institute are not entitled to the scholarship.
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For both components, candidates must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and fulfill other scheme-specific eligibility criteria.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship/fellowship, once awarded, will continue until the completion of the course tenure, subject to satisfactory academic performance certified by the respective institution.
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Students are generally required to apply for renewal annually through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and submit necessary documents like continuation certificates from their institutions.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Visit the Official Portal
For the National Scholarship, visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at https://scholarships.gov.in. For the National Fellowship, visit the National Tribal Fellowship portal at https://fellowship.tribal.gov.in/.
- 2New Registration
If you are a first-time applicant, click on 'New Registration' on the homepage. Carefully read the guidelines and instructions before proceeding.
- 3Fill Registration Form
Complete the registration form, providing details such as your Aadhaar number, bank account information, and mobile number. An OTP will be sent to your mobile for verification. After verification, your NSP Application ID will be generated.
- 4Login to the Portal
Use your Application ID and password (which you might need to change on the first login) to access the student dashboard.
- 5Fill Application Form
Complete the scholarship application form by providing your academic details, current course information, and other required personal details. Ensure all information is accurate.
- 6Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of all mandatory documents, which typically include: ST/PVTG certificate, latest income certificate (for scholarship component), 10th/Matriculation/equivalent certificate, Post-Graduation mark sheet (for fellowship), admission/joining certificate, offer of admission (for premier institutes), Divyangjan certificate (if applicable), and bank passbook details.
- 7Submit Application
Review your application carefully before final submission.
- 8Track Status
You can track the status of your application by logging into the respective portal using your Application ID. Important Dates (Tentative for 2026-27, based on latest available information): * Student Application Open: June 1, 2026. * Student Application Close: October 31, 2026. * University/Institute Verification for NFST 2025-26 extended until December 31, 2025. * For NFST 2025-26, the online application portal was open from August 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Can a student receive other scholarships or fellowships concurrently with this scheme?
No, students availing of the 'National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students' scheme are not eligible to claim benefits from any other scholarship or fellowship scheme of the Central or State Government for the same course of study.
What are the income criteria for this scholarship and fellowship scheme?
For the National Fellowship Scheme (M.Phil./Ph.D. programs), there are no income criteria for eligibility. However, for the National Scholarship Scheme (Graduate and Post-Graduate courses), the total family income from all sources must not exceed ₹6.0 lakh per annum.
How is the scholarship/fellowship amount disbursed to the students?
All scholarship and fellowship amounts are credited directly into the beneficiaries' Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. For the scholarship component, amounts for computer and accessories, books, and stipend are released to students' Aadhaar-seeded accounts. Tuition and admission fees may be released directly to the institution or reimbursed to the student if already paid.
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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.