Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others)

The scheme "Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC &
Others) has been launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The main objective of the schemes is the Educational Empowerment of OBC & EBC students by awarding fellowships (financial assistance) to obtain quality higher education and providing interest subsidies on educational loans for overseas studies. The scheme is implemented by the University Grants Commission for the fellowship component and by designated Nodal Banks for the interest subsidy component.

SHREYAS integrates two ongoing Central Sector schemes, namely the National Fellowship for Other Backwards Classes and the Dr Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies. The scheme is applicable during the period 2021–22 to 2025–26.

Scope of the Scheme:
The scheme is designed to provide a total number of 1000 Junior Research Fellowships per year to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil. /Ph.D. Degrees, who have qualified in the following tests:

• National Eligibility Test ) – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC (for Humanities/Social Sciences) or,
• UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF Joint Test (for Sciences)

The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is implemented by the UGC itself on the pattern of the scheme of UGC Fellowships being awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. and PhD. These 1000 slots will be over and above the number of OBC students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for UGC Fellowship.

1. The scheme provides 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships per year for eligible OBC students. Out of the total 1,000 slots, 750 fellowship slots are allocated for subjects covered under the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship.
2. The remaining 250 fellowship slots are allocated for subjects covered under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship for Science streams.
3. These 1,000 fellowship slots are over and above the number of Other Backwards Classes students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for University Grants Commission fellowships.
4. Rate of fellowship:

• The rates of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC Fellowships. Presently, these rates are as follows:

Fellowship in Science, Humanities and Social Science₹ 31,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 35,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Fellowship in Engineering & Technology₹ 31,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 35,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Contingency for Humanities & Social Science₹ 10,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 20,500/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology₹ 12,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) ₹ 25,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF)Escorts/Reader assistance (All Subjects)₹ 2,000/- PM in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates

• The House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be on the UGC pattern and will be payable to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation. In case hostel accommodation offered by the University/institution is refused, the student will forfeit his claim of HRA. Other facilities, such as medical facilities, leave, including maternity leave, will be governed as per the guidelines of the UGC in case of their fellowship programme.

1. The applicant must be a student belonging to the Other Backward Classes category.
2. The applicant should have qualified the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship, as per the relevant examination notifications.
3. The applicant should be eligible for the award of the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes and should secure placement in a University, Indian Institute of Technology, or recognised institution.
4. The applicant should pursue a regular and full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme in a recognised University or research institution.
5. The applicant should not be entitled to receive any other fellowship or similar financial benefit from the Central Government, State Government, University Grants Commission, or any other body offering similar benefits.
6. The applicant should commence the fellowship from the date of declaration of the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes result or the date of joining the M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme, whichever is later, in applicable cases.
7. The applicant should note that the validity period of the Junior Research Fellowship offer is 3 years from the date of issue of the award letter.
8. The applicant’s fellowship tenure may be extended from Junior Research Fellow to Senior Research Fellow after 2 years, subject to satisfactory assessment of research progress as per University Grants Commission norms.
9. The total period of fellowship as Junior Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow together should not exceed 5 years.

Reservation and Relaxation: 5% of the total fellowship seats are reserved for students with disabilities.

• The employees of any University/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government shall be excluded from availing the fellowship, even if they are on study leave of Extraordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D.

Offline

• The applicant should qualify for the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship or Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship.
• The applicant should enrol in a full-time M.Phil. or PhD programme in a University or institution recognised by the University Grants Commission.
• The University Grants Commission selects eligible candidates based on merit in the qualifying examination.
• The concerned University or institution verifies the caste certificate and eligibility conditions of the selected candidate.
• The fellowship amount is released by the University Grants Commission through Direct Benefit Transfer into the beneficiary’s bank account.
• The fellowship continues subject to satisfactory progress and compliance with University Grants Commission norms.

Selection Procedure for Fellowship for OBCs (JRF):

1. UGC is the nodal agency for implementing the scheme.
2. The selection for the award of NFOBC to students will be made on the basis of merit in each UGC-NET-JRF and CSIR-NET-JRF examination and will be made twice a year.
3. The qualified candidates have to enrol in Universities/institutions/colleges recognised under:

• Under Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956, i.e. Universities established under Central, Provincial or State Acts or any other institution recognised by UGC. Under Section 12 (B) of the UGC Act, 1956, i.e. Universities declared fit to receive grants from the Government.
• Grant-in-Aid Deemed Universities under Section 3 of UGC Act, i.e. Institution for higher education notified by the Central Government to be deemed universities, in consultation with UGC.
• Universities/Institutions funded bythe State/Central Government.
• Institutions of National Importance as notified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

1. The decision of the UGC regarding awarding the fellowship shall be final, and no appeal can be filed against it.