What is the purpose of National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.

Who can apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Eligibility for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.

What benefits are offered under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Benefits under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.

Which department manages National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is managed by Department Of Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.

Can users apply online for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.

Where can users apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Applications for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.

What documents may be required for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.

Is income certificate required for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities.

Is National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities a central government scheme?

Yes, National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.

Can students apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.

Is scholarship amount provided under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.

Can CSC centres help users apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.

How can users check the latest updates for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.

Are there deadlines for applying to National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.

Can beneficiaries track application status for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?

Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.

Where can users get help for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities in All India?

Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.

Which nearby public services may help with National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities applications?

Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.

National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Scheme open date: 2013-01-01

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Scholarships and student finance

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Education, Learning, Fellowship

Details

The National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities (NFPwD) is a fellowship scheme launched by the Government of India in 2012-13 to increase opportunities for students with disabilities to pursue higher education leading to degrees such as M. Phil. and Ph.D. The scheme is implemented by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on behalf of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The NFPwD scheme provides financial assistance to students with disabilities who are pursuing M. Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in any university/institution recognized by the UGC. The fellowship is awarded on the basis of merit and the student's disability certificate

Benefits

The value of the fellowship is as follows: 1. The fellowship provides financial assistance to students with disabilities to pursue M. Phil. and Ph.D. degrees. 1. The fellowship is awarded on the basis of merit and the student's disability certificate. 1. The value of the fellowship is ₹37 000 per month for Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) and ₹42 000 per month for Senior Research Fellows (SRFs). 1. The fellowship is awarded for a maximum period of five years including the JRF and SRF periods

The value of the fellowship is as follows:

The fellowship provides financial assistance to students with disabilities to pursue M. Phil. and Ph.D. degrees.
The fellowship is awarded on the basis of merit and the student's disability certificate.
The value of the fellowship is ₹ 37,000 per month for Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) and ₹ 42,000 per month for Senior Research Fellows (SRFs).
The fellowship is awarded for a maximum period of five years, including the JRF and SRF periods.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a person with disability (PWD) as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, with at least 40% disability.
The applicant must have a valid disability certificate issued by the competent authority.
The applicant must have secured admission to an M. Phil. or Ph.D. program in a university/institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
The applicant must have a good academic record.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

6.7

/ 10

Public Benefit Score

Accessibility 6.0/10 Moderate

Rural usefulness 4.0/10 Moderate

Application complexity 4.0/10 Moderate

Financial impact 8.0/10 Good

Literacy barrier 6.0/10 Moderate

Women inclusivity 8.0/10 Good

Awareness 7.0/10 Good

Implementation reliability 8.0/10 Good

Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens

Accessibility6.0
Financial impact8.0
Rural utility4.0
Awareness7.0
Simplicity6.0
Inclusivity8.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities provides essential financial support for higher education to students with disabilities, promoting inclusivity in education.

Key challenges addressed

Financial assistance for higher education
Encouragement for students with disabilities to pursue advanced degrees

Most beneficial for

Students with disabilities seeking higher education

Likely challenges

Complex application process for semi-literate individuals
Digital dependency may exclude some applicants

Practical insights for citizens

While the scheme is beneficial, the reliance on digital platforms may hinder access for some eligible candidates.

Rural challenges

Limited internet access
Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

Dependence on online application process
Need for digital literacy

Implementation bottlenecks

Verification of disability certificates can be slow
Limited outreach in rural areas

Awareness challenges

Low awareness among potential beneficiaries
Need for better communication strategies

Application analysis

Application mode: Online portal
Documents burden: Moderate, requires several documents including disability certificate and academic records
Verification complexity: Moderate, requires validation of disability and academic credentials
Office dependency: Low, primarily online
DBT dependency: No
CSC support: Limited, may not be available in all areas
Estimated citizen effort: High, due to online navigation and document preparation

Estimated beneficiary reach

Rural / urban reach Moderate
Gender reach Inclusive

Benefit analysis

Benefit type: Cash
Benefit frequency: Monthly
Benefit practicality: High, as it provides substantial monthly support for education
Financial meaningfulness: High, given the amount of ₹ 37,000 to ₹ 42,000 per month for eligible students
Long-term impact: Positive, as it encourages higher education among students with disabilities, potentially leading to better employment opportunities.

Plain-language guidance

The National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities helps students with disabilities get financial support for their higher education. Eligible students can apply online for monthly assistance.

Who should apply: Students with disabilities pursuing M. Phil. or Ph.D. programs.
Who may struggle: Semi-literate individuals and those without reliable internet access.
Best application route: Apply via the UGC online portal.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online

To apply for the National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities (NFPwD), applicants must visit the University Grants Commission's (UGC) NFPwD website.1. On the home page, go to the "Scholarships/Fellowships" section and click "View All."1. Scroll down to find the "National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities" link and click "See Detailed Information."
Read the detailed information carefully.
Then, click "Apply for Fresh Registration (Click Here)." The registration form will open on the screen.
Follow the instructions on the screen carefully and enter the required information, including the captcha code.
Click "Register" to complete the process.
Next, provide the remaining information in the form and upload the required documents.
Finally, click "Submit

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is this scheme: A Scheme "National Fellowship For Students With Disabilities" was initiated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the "Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment".
Who is eligible for the NFPwD scheme?: The following students are eligible for the NFPwD scheme: Persons with disabilities (PWDs) as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, with at least 40% disability. Students who have secured admission to an M. Phil. or Ph.D. program in a university/institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
What is the value of the NFPwD fellowship?: The value of the NFPwD fellowship is as follows: 1. Junior Research Fellow (JRF): ₹ 31,000 per month 2. Senior Research Fellow (SRF): ₹ 35,500 per month
What is the duration of the NFPwD fellowship?: The NFPwD fellowship is awarded for a maximum period of five years, including the JRF and SRF periods.
How do I apply for the NFPwD fellowship?: Students can apply for the NFPwD fellowship through the online application portal of the UGC. The last date for applying for the fellowship is usually in the month of June.
What documents do I need to upload to apply for the NFPwD fellowship?: Disability certificate 2. Mark sheets of all previous qualifying examinations 3. Admission letter to the M. Phil. or Ph.D. program 4. Research proposal 5. Two passport size photographs
What are the selection criteria for the NFPwD fellowship?: The selection criteria for the NFPwD fellowship are as follows: 1. Merit 2. Disability certificate
When will I be notified if I have been selected for the NFPwD fellowship?: The UGC will notify the selected students through email.
What should I do if I have not been selected for the NFPwD fellowship?: Students who have not been selected for the NFPwD fellowship can reapply in the following year. They can also explore other funding opportunities for students with disabilities.

Official links

References

Website: https://disabilityaffairs.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Scholarship%20Scheme%20Guidelines%202023-24.pdf
Guidelines: https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3e58aea67b01fa747687f038dfde066f6/uploads/2023/10/202405091196982143.pdf

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual through benefits related to Education & Learning, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Eligibility for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Benefits under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is managed by Department Of Empowerment Of Persons With Disabilities and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Applications for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities.
Is National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities a central government scheme?: Yes, National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can students apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Are there deadlines for applying to National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities?: Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities in All India?: Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities applications?: Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.