(Revised with effect from 2017-2018)

The scheme aims at providing financial assistance to the OBC students in obtaining quality higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil and Ph.D in universities, research institutions and scientific institutions.

The scheme is designed to provide a total number of 300 Junior Research Fellowships per year from the year 2014-15 onwards and 300 Senior Research Fellowships during 2016-17 to Other Backward Class (OBC) students. The UGC is the nodal agency for implementing the scheme and notifies the scheme through advertisements in the media at a suitable date. The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Fellowships are awarded to research students pursuing M. Phil. and Ph.D. The rate of fellowship for JRF level is Rs. 25000 per month and for SRF level, it is Rs. 28000 per month.

An OBC student admitted to M.Phil./Ph.D. course in a University or academic institution after completing the required formalities of admission, is eligible for the award of Fellowship subject to provisions of the scheme as per the advertisement of UGC. The total period of award of JRF and SRF shall not exceed a period of 5 years. The fellowship will be paid from the date of registration of the student in the M.Phil./Ph.D. course. Only those, doing regular and full time M.Phil./Ph.D. course of a University/Research Institution shall be eligible for the fellowship.

National Fellowship for OBC Students (revised w.e.f. 2017-2018) Scheme Document

Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for OBC Students (Effective from April 2019)