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National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) 2026 — ₹37,000/Month for ST PhD | tribal.nic.in
🏛️ Ministry of Tribal Affairs (UGC implementing)Last updated:
💰 Benefit
₹37,000-₹42,000/month for 5-year PhD for ST students
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Key Facts
- Scholarship Amount
- ₹37,000/month (JRF) + ₹42,000/month (SRF)
- Duration
- 5 years (2 + 3)
- Income Limit
- Family annual income ≤ ₹6 lakh
- Application Window
- August - October
- Beneficiaries / Year
- 1,000 fellowships per year
| Scholarship Amount | ₹37,000/month (JRF) + ₹42,000/month (SRF) |
| Duration | 5 years (2 + 3) |
| Income Limit | Family annual income ≤ ₹6 lakh |
| Application Window | August - October |
| Selection Process | Merit + interview |
| Beneficiaries / Year | 1,000 fellowships per year |
🎓 Apply via National Scholarship Portal
https://scholarships.gov.in
About National Fellowship for ST
National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribe Students (NFST) is the central PhD fellowship for ST students. ₹37K/month (JRF) → ₹42K/month (SRF) for 5-year PhD at Indian universities. ~1,000 fellowships per year. Family income ≤ ₹6 lakh. Implemented by UGC under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
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✅ Eligibility
- ✓ST student with tribal certificate
- ✓Master's degree 55%+ (50% relaxation)
- ✓Indian citizen
- ✓Age ≤ 30 (5-year relaxation)
- ✓PhD admission at UGC-recognized university
📄 Documents Required
- 📄Aadhaar Card
- 📄ST Tribal Certificate
- 📄Master's marksheet
- 📄PhD admission letter
- 📄Income Certificate (≤ ₹6 lakh)
- 📄Bank passbook
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❓ FAQs — National Fellowship for ST
▶NFST kya hai 2026?
National Fellowship for ST Students — Ministry of Tribal Affairs ka PhD fellowship for tribal community students. ₹37K-42K/month for 5 years. Similar to NFSC but specifically for ST students. 1,000 fellowships annually.
▶NFST eligibility 2026?
(1) ST student with tribal certificate; (2) Master's 55%+ (50% relaxed); (3) Indian citizen; (4) Age ≤ 30 (with 5-year ST relaxation = 35); (5) PhD admission at UGC university; (6) Family income ≤ ₹6 lakh.
▶NFST apply kaise karein?
scholarships.gov.in → select 'National Fellowship for ST Students' → upload ST certificate, Master's marksheet, PhD admission, income cert, bank passbook. Application Aug-Oct. UGC + Tribal Affairs reviews → interview → final list.
▶NFST aur UGC NET-JRF dono apply kar sakte hain?
Both apply karne mein restriction nahi — but only ONE fellowship hold kar sakte ho at a time. NFST has SC quota = less competition than open NET-JRF. ST students should prioritize NFST first. If both qualify, choose NFST (community-specific implementation).
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