What is National Fellowship for ST (NFST)?
Unlike NFSC (administered by the Ministry of Social Justice), the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST) sits under the **Ministry of Tribal Affairs** — a completely separate central ministry with its own grievance-redressal cell (tribal.nic.in) and appellate authority for eligibility disputes. This administrative distinction is not cosmetic: an ST candidate whose fellowship disbursement is delayed writes to MoTA, not to Social Justice or UGC. The fellowship funds M.Phil and PhD research at UGC-recognised universities, pays ₹37,000/month JRF for 2 years rising to ₹42,000/month SRF for 3 years, with contingency and HRA. **NFST sanctions ~667 slots per year** — about a third of NFSC's 2,000, reflecting the smaller ST-Master's-degree-holding population. NFST also carries a specific sub-priority for PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group) candidates from the 75 government-notified tribal communities with the most limited access to higher education. Selection is via UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-NET-JRF, and applications flow through scholarships.gov.in or the Ministry's own tribal.gov.in portal.
National Fellowship for ST (NFST) — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) 2026 — ₹37,000/Month PhD Fellowship for Tribal Students |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2007 |
| Benefit | ₹37,000/month (JRF) + ₹42,000/month (SRF) + contingency for ST students pursuing PhD/M.Phil |
| Category | Education |
| Last Verified | 16 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://scholarships.gov.in |
अनुसूचित जनजाति राष्ट्रीय फेलोशिप (NFST) — ST छात्रों को M.Phil/PhD के लिए ₹37,000/माह (JRF) + ₹42,000/माह (SRF)। 667 फेलोशिप/वर्ष। NET-JRF अनिवार्य। tribal.gov.in।
₹37,000/माह JRF + ₹42,000/माह SRF — ST छात्र PhD
Benefits of National Fellowship for ST (NFST)
₹37,000/month (JRF) + ₹42,000/month (SRF) + contingency for ST students pursuing PhD/M.Phil
Who is Eligible for National Fellowship for ST (NFST)?
- ✓Must belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) community with valid ST certificate
- ✓UGC-NET or CSIR-NET with JRF mandatory
- ✓Enrolled in full-time M.Phil/PhD at UGC-recognised university
- ✓Not receiving any other central scholarship simultaneously
Documents Required for National Fellowship for ST (NFST)
How to Apply for National Fellowship for ST (NFST) Online?
- 1Qualify UGC-NET or CSIR-NET with JRF, which is mandatory for NFST eligibility.
- 2Get enrolled full-time in an M.Phil or PhD programme at a UGC-recognised institution.
- 3Apply through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or tribal.gov.in under NFST.
- 4Upload ST caste certificate and Aadhaar card as identity and category proof.
- 5Submit the NET-JRF certificate and university PhD/M.Phil enrollment document.
- 6Provide bank details for direct credit of the ₹37,000/month (JRF) or ₹42,000/month (SRF) fellowship.
- 7Confirm no other central scholarship is being received, since NFST cannot be combined with others.
Official Government Portal
scholarships.gov.in is the only authorised application channel, and the government charges nothing there — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on scholarships.gov.in