RGNFSCC

Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates

5.4/10

The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme for Scheduled Caste is formulated and funded by the Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment. The scheme is open to candidates who belong to Scheduled Caste and are pursuing higher studies such as regular and full-time M.Phil.and Ph.D.degrees.

Central Composite

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry of Education

Nodal department: Department Of Higher Education

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): Yes

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Education and training grants, fellowship, stipend

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Fellowship, Scheduled Caste

Details

INTRODUCTION
The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme for Scheduled Caste is formulated and funded by the Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment. The scheme is open to candidates who belong to Scheduled Caste and are pursuing higher studies such as regular and full-time M.Phil.and Ph.D.degrees in Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Engineering & Technology. There are 2000 slots for Scheduled Caste every year for all the subjects. 3% fellowships are reserved for Persons with Disabilities candidates belonging to SC categories as per the provision laid down by the Government of India.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the scheme is to provide five-year fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students from SC categories, as notified by the Central Government to pursue higher studies such as M.Phil. and Ph.D. at Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges as indicated below:
i. Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under sections 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act.
ii. Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956
and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC.
iii. Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/State Government iv. Institutes of National Importance.

Benefits

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  • { "children": [ { "text": "Name of the Course: M.Phil. " } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "Maximum Duration: 2 years or submission of dissertation whichever is earlier" } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "Admissibility of JRF: 2 years; Admissibility of SRF: Nil" } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "" } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "Name of the Course: M.Phil./Ph.D. " } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "Maximum Duration: 5 years from the commencement of fellowship or submission of Ph.D. thesis whichever is earlier" } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "Admissibility of JRF: 2 years; Admissibility of SRF: Remaining 3 years" } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "" } ] }
  • { "children": [ { "text": "Name of the Course: Ph.D. " } ] }

DURATION OF FELLOWSHIP

Name of the Course: M.Phil.

Maximum Duration: 2 years or submission of dissertation whichever is earlier

Admissibility of JRF: 2 years; Admissibility of SRF: Nil

Name of the Course: M.Phil./Ph.D.

Maximum Duration: 5 years from the commencement of fellowship or submission of Ph.D. thesis whichever is earlier

Admissibility of JRF: 2 years; Admissibility of SRF: Remaining 3 years

Name of the Course: Ph.D.

Maximum Duration: 5 years or submission of Ph.D. thesis whichever is earlier

Admissibility of JRF: 2 years; Admissibility of SRF: Remaining 3 years

AMOUNT OF FELLOWSHIP

The rate of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC Fellowship as amended from time to time. Presently these rates are as follows -

Fellowship (Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences)

@Rs. 25,000/-p.m. initial two years for JRF

@Rs.28,000/- p.m. for remaining tenure for SRF

Contingency (Humanities & Social Sciences)

@Rs.10,000/-p.a. for an initial two years (JRF)

@Rs.20,500/-p.a. for remaining tenure (SRF)

Contingency (Science, Engg. & Technology)

@Rs.12,000/- p.a. initial two-year (JRF)

@Rs.25,000/-p.a. for remaining tenure (SRF)

Escorts/Reader Assistance (All Subjects)

@Rs.2,000/- p.m. in case of physically handicapped & blind candidates.

HRA As per Govt. of India norms (All Subjects)

HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE

1. Suitable single-seated hostel accommodation may be provided to the candidates in the institutions. In such cases, the fellow is eligible to draw only hostel fees excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. A certificate to this effect is to be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal. HRA is not permissible for those candidates who are staying in Hostel accommodation.

2. In case of non-availability of hostel accommodation, the fellow may be provided with single accommodation by the host institution. In such cases, the rent paid by the fellow on actual basis may be reimbursed subject to the ceiling of HRA as per Govt. of India norms.

3. If the fellow makes her own arrangements of accommodation, he/she may be entitled to draw HRA as per the categorization of cities by the Govt. of India.

Note: In all the above cases, the fellow will submit a relevant certificate (Annexure-VI) through the concerned University/College/Institute to the identified Agency for settling the claim.

MEDICAL

No separate /fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the fellow may avail of the medical facilities available in the University/Institution/College.

LEAVE

i. Leave for a maximum period of 30 days in a year in addition to the public holidays that may be taken by the candidate. However, they are not entitled to any other vacation, such as summer, winter, and pooja vacations.

ii. Candidates are eligible for maternity/ paternity to leave at full rates of the fellowship as per Govt. of India rules once during the tenure of the award.

iii. Academic Leave: The Fellow may be allowed academic leave (without fellowship and other emoluments) for a period not exceeding one year during the tenure of award for academic/teaching assignment /foreign visit in connection with research work.

iv. The expenditure on travel cannot be claimed from UGC. The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure.

v. If the awardee wishes to apply for any other fellowship/paid assignment/examination conducted by a public body during the tenure of the fellowship, he/ she is not required to obtain NOC from UGC. In case of selection, the candidate would be required to tender their resignation from the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship.

Note: All kinds of leave shall be approved by the University/Institute/College.

Eligibility

TARGET GROUP
The candidates belonging to one of the SC categories who have passed the post-graduation examination in the concerned subject and who are pursuing full-time research without JRF of UGC-NET or UGC-CSIR NET.

ELIGIBILITY
A candidate has to fulfill the following conditions to be eligible for the award of this fellowship:
i. The candidate should belong to SC/ST and should have passed the Post Graduate Examination.
ii. The Candidate must be registered for M.Phil./Ph.D.
iii. Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. The reservation shall be followed as per the government of India norms

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.

5.4
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 5.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 4.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 6.0/10 Moderate
Financial impact 5.0/10 Moderate
Literacy barrier 8.0/10 Challenging
Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 7.0/10 Good
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility5.0
  • Financial impact5.0
  • Rural utility4.0
  • Awareness7.0
  • Simplicity4.0
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme provides essential financial support for Scheduled Caste candidates pursuing higher education, promoting educational equity.

Key challenges addressed

  • Financial assistance for higher studies
  • Support for Scheduled Caste candidates

Most beneficial for

  • Scheduled Caste students
  • Transgender candidates

Likely challenges

  • Digital application process may exclude some applicants
  • Limited awareness among potential beneficiaries

Practical insights for citizens

While the scheme is beneficial, practical challenges in application and awareness may hinder access.

Rural challenges

  • Limited internet access
  • Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

  • Dependence on online applications may exclude some candidates

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Verification delays
  • Limited outreach to rural areas

Awareness challenges

  • Low visibility in rural communities

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Documents burden
Minimal, no specific documents listed
Verification complexity
Moderate, requires eligibility verification
Office dependency
Low, primarily online
DBT dependency
No direct benefit transfer mentioned
CSC support
Limited, primarily online application
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate effort required for application

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Inclusive
  • Target income group Low-income Scheduled Caste candidates
  • Occupation reach Students in higher education

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Composite
Benefit frequency
Annual
Benefit practicality
Practical for eligible candidates pursuing higher studies
Financial meaningfulness
Moderate, as it supports educational expenses
Long-term impact
Positive impact on educational attainment for SC candidates

Plain-language guidance

This fellowship helps Scheduled Caste students pay for their higher education. Eligible candidates can apply online once a year.

Who should apply
Scheduled Caste candidates pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D.
Who may struggle
Semi-literate individuals and those without internet access.
Best application route
Apply online through the UGC 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

The applications are invited through online mode once in a year through advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News from, the candidate belonging to the SC category fulfilling the eligibility conditions under the scheme. A short notification will also be uploaded on the UGC website www.ugc.ac.in incomplete applications will not be placed before the Expert Committee. Candidates have to apply strictly as per instructions given in the online application portal e-SARTS: http://www.ugc.ac.in/ugc_schemes/

Clarifications

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

What Are The Objectives Of RGNF?

The objective of the scheme is to provide five-year fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students from SC categories, as notified by the Central Government to pursue higher studies such as M.Phil. and Ph.D. at Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges as indicated below: i. Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under sections 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act. ii. Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC. iii. Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/State Government iv. Institutes of National Importance.

Which Ministry Formulated RGNF?

The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme for Scheduled Caste is formulated and funded by the Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment.

How Many Slots Are There In This Fellowship?

There are 2000 slots for Scheduled Caste every year for all the subjects: Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Engineering & Technology.

Is There An Earmarking For Persons With Disabilities?

Yes, 3% of fellowships are reserved for Persons with Disabilities candidates belonging to SC categories as per the provision laid down by the Government of India.

How Are The Applications Invited For This Scheme?

The applications are invited through online mode once a year through advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News.

On What Grounds Can The Tenure Of The Candidate Be Extended?

If the research work is found satisfactory, his/her tenure will be extended further for a period of five years under the enhanced emoluments of the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship SC.

What Is The Tenure Of The Fellowship Under The RGNF-SC Scheme?

The tenure of the fellowship is initially for five years under the RGNF-SC Scheme.

How Is The Distribution Of The Fellowship Performed?

I. The total number of fellowships each year will be 2000. ii. In case the numbers of candidates exceed the number of available slots, UGC will select the candidates for the fellowship based on the percentage of marks obtained by them in their qualifying Post Graduation examination. iii. The reservation for differently abled students shall be made as per UGC norms and in a horizontal manner. iv. Scholars will be selected under the scheme in all domains of knowledge.

Can Transgender Candidates Apply Under This Scheme?

Yes, Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. The reservation shall be followed as per government of India norms.

What Will Happen If The Work Of The Candidate For The First Two Years Is Not Found Satisfactory?

In case the work for the first two years is not found satisfactory, an additional year will be given to him/her for improvement. However, during this period he/she will be designated as Rajiv Gandhi National Junior Fellow. In such cases work will be evaluated again before the third year of the tenure, and if improvement is found the Fellow will get two more years of RGNF at enhanced rates (SRF). In case the candidate is not considered suitable for upgradation, the fellowship for the remaining tenure will be at JRF rates.

Is Medical Assistance Provided Under This Scheme?

No separate /fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the fellow may avail of the medical facilities available in the University/Institution/College.

What Is Meant By "Academic Leave"?

Academic Leave: The Fellow may be allowed academic leave (without fellowship and other emoluments) for a period not exceeding one year during the tenure of award for academic/teaching assignment /foreign visit in connection with research work.

Can The Expenditure On Travel Be Claimed From UGC?

The expenditure on travel cannot be claimed from UGC. The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure.

What If The Awardee Wishes To Apply For Any Other Fellowship/Paid Assignment/Examination Conducted By A Public Body During The Tenure Of The Fellowship?

If the awardee wishes to apply for any other fellowship/paid assignment/examination conducted by a public body during the tenure of the fellowship, he/ she is not required to obtain NOC from UGC. In case of selection, the candidate would be required to tender their resignation from the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship.

Are The Candidates Eligible For Maternity/Paternity Leave?

Yes, Candidates are eligible for maternity/ paternity leave at full rates of the fellowship as per Govt. of India rules once during the tenure of the award.

References

Guidelines
https://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/1565505_RGNF-SC-Revised.pdf

Apply

Apply now

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates 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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Eligibility for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates 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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Benefits under Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates 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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates is managed by Department Of Higher Education and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Applications for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates 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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates.
Is Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates a central government scheme?
Yes, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can students apply for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates 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 Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Scheduled Caste Candidates 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.