TRI Scholarship

About this tribal welfare scheme

Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs), set up in 19 states by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, provide research grants, scholarships, and fellowships to Scheduled Tribe (ST) scholars pursuing M.Phil, PhD, and post-doctoral research in tribal studies, anthropology, social sciences, and tribal-area-specific subjects. The scheme also offers Top Class Education Scholarship for ST students admitted to 217 premier institutions (IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NLUs, BITS, NIDs, etc.) — covering FULL tuition fee + ₹3,000-₹6,000/month living allowance + ₹3,000/year books grant + reimbursement of computer/laptop. Plus National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST) — ₹37,000-₹42,000/month JRF/SRF fellowship for PhD scholars. Plus National Overseas Scholarship for ST — ₹3,500-₹5,500 USD/year for studying abroad. Administered by Ministry of Tribal Affairs via TRIs and via National Scholarship Portal.

Which ST / PVTG communities are covered

• ✓Scheduled Tribe (ST) student admitted to higher education institution
• ✓Top Class Scholarship: Admission to one of 217 notified premier institutions (IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NLUs)
• ✓NFST Fellowship: Net or equivalent qualified, pursuing M.Phil/PhD in any university
• ✓Overseas Scholarship: Master's/PhD admission abroad with min 60% in graduation
• ✓TRI Research: M.Phil/PhD admission in tribal studies, anthropology, social sciences
• ✓Family income: ₹2.5 lakh (Top Class), ₹6 lakh (NFST), ₹8 lakh (Overseas)

Documents you'll need at enrolment

How to apply through TRIFED / state tribal dept.

1. 1Identify which scheme you qualify for: Top Class (IIT/IIM/AIIMS admission), NFST (PhD), TRI Research (M.Phil/PhD tribal studies), Overseas (study abroad)
2. 2Visit National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) → register with Aadhaar + ST certificate
3. 3For Top Class: Select 'Top Class Scholarship for ST' → upload admission letter from 217 notified institutions + ST cert + income
4. 4For NFST: After clearing NET/equivalent, apply at scholarships.gov.in → 'NFST Fellowship' → upload research proposal + NET certificate
5. 5For TRI Research: Visit your state TRI directly (e.g., Anthropological Survey, Tribal Cultural Research Institute) → apply with research proposal
6. 6For Overseas: Apply at scholarships.gov.in → 'National Overseas Scholarship for ST' → submit foreign university admission letter
7. 7Selection: Merit-based (Top Class), Research evaluation (NFST + TRI), Income-merit (Overseas)
8. 8Annual renewal: submit progress report + previous year results

Tribal-welfare questions we hear