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National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC) 2026 — ₹37,000/Month for SC PhD
🏛️ Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (UGC implementing)Last updated:
💰 Benefit
₹37,000-₹42,000/month for 5-year PhD for SC students at Indian universities
Last verified: · How we verify scheme facts
Key Facts
- Scholarship Amount
- ₹37,000/month (JRF, 2 yrs) + ₹42,000/month (SRF, 3 yrs)
- Duration
- 5 years (2 + 3)
- Income Limit
- Family annual income ≤ ₹6 lakh
- Application Window
- August - October
- Beneficiaries / Year
- 2,000 fresh fellowships per year
| Scholarship Amount | ₹37,000/month (JRF, 2 yrs) + ₹42,000/month (SRF, 3 yrs) |
| Duration | 5 years (2 + 3) |
| Income Limit | Family annual income ≤ ₹6 lakh |
| Application Window | August - October |
| Selection Process | Merit-based shortlisting by UGC + interview |
| Beneficiaries / Year | 2,000 fresh fellowships per year |
🎓 Apply via National Scholarship Portal
https://scholarships.gov.in
About National Fellowship for SC
National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) is the central PhD fellowship for SC students. Provides ₹37,000/month (JRF) → ₹42,000/month (SRF) for 5-year PhD at recognized Indian universities. ~2,000 fellowships per year. Family income ≤ ₹6 lakh. Implemented by UGC under Ministry of Social Justice. SC students who qualify UGC NET can choose either NFSC or UGC NET-JRF.
✅ Eligibility
- ✓SC student with caste certificate
- ✓Master's degree (55%+, 50% relaxation)
- ✓Indian citizen
- ✓Age ≤ 30 years (5-year relaxation)
- ✓PhD admission at UGC-recognized Indian university
📄 Documents Required
- 📄Aadhaar Card
- 📄SC Caste Certificate
- 📄Master's marksheet (55%+)
- 📄PhD admission/registration letter
- 📄Income Certificate (≤ ₹6 lakh)
- 📄Bank passbook
❓ FAQs — National Fellowship for SC
▶NFSC kya hai 2026?
National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC) — central PhD fellowship for SC community. ₹37K/month (JRF, 2 yrs) + ₹42K/month (SRF, 3 yrs). Total ~₹25 lakh over 5 years. Implemented by UGC under Ministry of Social Justice. 2,000 fellowships granted annually.
▶NFSC eligibility 2026?
(1) SC student with valid caste certificate; (2) Master's degree 55%+ marks (50% relaxation); (3) Indian citizen; (4) Age ≤ 30 (with 5-year SC relaxation = 35); (5) PhD admission at UGC-recognized Indian university; (6) Family income ≤ ₹6 lakh.
▶NFSC apply kaise karein?
scholarships.gov.in → register → select 'National Fellowship for SC Students' → upload SC certificate, Master's marksheet, PhD admission letter, income cert, bank passbook. Window: August-October. UGC reviews → shortlists → interview → final selection.
▶NFSC vs UGC NET-JRF vs PMRF — which to choose?
PMRF: highest (₹70-80K/month), only IIT/IISc/NIT/IIIT/IISER. NFSC: ₹37-42K/month, any UGC-recognized Indian university, SC-only quota = less competition. UGC NET-JRF: ₹37-42K/month, open category, very competitive. SC students should prioritize PMRF (if at premier institute) → NFSC → UGC NET-JRF in that order.
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