SVSGCFRSS

Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences

6.8/10

The Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences, administered by the University Grants Commission (UGC), offers vital financial support to single girl children pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Sciences across India. Eligible candidates receive a monthly fellowship of ₹25,000 for the first two years, which increases to ₹28,000 for the remaining tenure of up to five years. In addition to the fellowship, recipients are entitled to a contingency grant of ₹10,000 per annum for the first two years and ₹20,500 for the remaining period. The fellowship also provides assistance for accommodation, with provisions for hostel fees or reimbursement of rent for private accommodation, depending on availability. To qualify, applicants must be the only girl child in their family and must be enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. program at recognized Indian institutions. The scheme aims to alleviate the financial burden of higher education for these deserving candidates, promoting girls' education and research in social sciences.

Central Composite

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry of Education

Nodal department: University Grants Commission

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: Single Girl Child, Fellowship, Research, Swami Vivekananda, Social Science, Girls Education, PhD

Details

A fellowship scheme by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for Single Girl Child for research in Social Sciences with an aim to compensate for direct costs of higher education, especially for such girls who happen to be the only girl child in their family.
The objectives of the proposed scheme are:

  1. To support the higher education of single girl child in Social Sciences.
  2. To recognize the value of observance of the small family norms.
  3. To recognize the norm of single girl child in society.
  4. To propagate the concept of single girl child norm.
  5. Promoting single girls in society.

The girl students who are admitted to Ph. D. programs in Social Sciences in Universities/Colleges/Institutes and happen to be the only girl child in the family without having any brother or sister. The girl student who is twin daughters/fraternal daughter may also apply for fellowship under the aforesaid scheme.

Benefits

  • Financial Assistance The financial assistance available under the scheme is as follows: 1. Fellowship @ ₹25 000/- per month for the Initial two years; @ ₹28 000/- per month for the remaining tenure. 2. Contingency @ ₹10 000/- per annum for initial two years; @ ₹20 500/- per annum for remaining tenure. 3. Escort Reader Assistance @ ₹2 000/- per month in case of PWD candidates. Slots The number of slots for the fellowship may be decided every year on the basis of eligible applications complete in all respects received through online mode. Tenure The tenure of the fellowship is for five years and will be effective from 1st April of the selection year or the actual date of joining under the fellowship in the University/College/Institute whichever is later. Fellowship will be granted up to the date of submission of Ph.D. Thesis or 5 years of tenure whichever is earlier. No extension is permissible beyond the total period of five years and the fellow ceases to be a UGC research fellow immediately after the expiry of the due date. HRA 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

Financial Assistance

The financial assistance available under the scheme is as follows:

  1. Fellowship @ ₹25,000/- per month for the Initial two years; @ ₹28,000/- per month for the remaining tenure.
  2. Contingency @ ₹10,000/- per annum for initial two years; @ ₹20,500/- per annum for remaining tenure.
  3. Escort Reader Assistance @ ₹2,000/- per month in case of PWD candidates.

Slots

The number of slots for the fellowship may be decided every year on the basis of eligible applications complete in all respects, received through online mode.

Tenure

The tenure of the fellowship is for five years and will be effective from 1st April of the selection year or the actual date of joining under the fellowship in the University/College/Institute, whichever is later. Fellowship will be granted up to the date of submission of Ph.D. Thesis or 5 years of tenure whichever is earlier. No extension is permissible beyond the total period of five years, and the fellow ceases to be a UGC research fellow immediately after the expiry of the due date.

HRA

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.
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 an actual basis may be reimbursed subject to the ceiling of HRA as per Govt. of India norms.
If the fellow makes her own arrangements of accommodation, 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 Universities/Colleges/Institutes.

Leave

  1. 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.
  2. Maternity leave as per the Govt. of India norms issued from time to time would be available at full rates of the fellowship once during the tenure of their award.
  3. Academic leave (without fellowship and other emoluments) shall be permissible only for one year throughout the tenure (for any kind of academic/teaching assignment/foreign visit in connection with research work). The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure. Expenditure on foreign visits in connection to research work cannot be claimed by UGC
    Note: All kinds of leave should be approved at the level of the University/College/Institute.

Eligibility

  1. Any single girl child of her parents pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Sciences in Universities/Colleges/ Institutes is eligible to apply under the scheme. In a family, if one son and one daughter are available then the girl child will not be considered for fellowship under the scheme.
  2. The scheme is applicable to such a single girl child who has registered herself in regular, full-time Ph. D. program in Social Sciences in Indian Universities/Colleges/Institutes as indicated below:
  • Universities/Colleges/Institutes included under section 2(f) and 12(b) of UGC Act, 1956.
  • Deemed to be Universities under section 3 of the UGC Act 1956 which are eligible to receive grants in aid from UGC.
  • Universities/Colleges/Institutes funded by Central/ State Govt.
  • Institutes of National Importance.
  1. Admission to Ph.D. Course in Distance education mode is not covered under the scheme.
  2. Girl students up to the age of 40 years for the general category and 45 years for the reserved categories i.e. SC/ST/OBC and PWD (Persons with Disabilities) as on the last date of submission of online application are eligible.
  3. Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme as per the 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.

6.8
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 7.0/10 Good
Rural usefulness 3.0/10 Challenging
Application complexity 4.0/10 Moderate
Financial impact 8.0/10 Good
Literacy barrier 6.0/10 Moderate
Women inclusivity 10.0/10 Good
Awareness 7.5/10 Good
Implementation reliability 7.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility7.0
  • Financial impact8.0
  • Rural utility3.0
  • Awareness7.5
  • Simplicity6.0
  • Inclusivity10.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme provides essential financial support for single girl children pursuing Ph.D. in Social Sciences, promoting higher education and gender equality.

Key challenges addressed

  • Financial burden of higher education for single girl children
  • Encouragement of girls' education in social sciences

Most beneficial for

  • Single girl children pursuing Ph.D.
  • Women in rural areas seeking higher education

Likely challenges

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

Practical insights for citizens

While the scheme is beneficial, practical access remains a challenge for many potential applicants.

Rural challenges

  • Limited internet access
  • Lack of awareness about the scheme

Digital challenges

  • Dependence on online applications may exclude non-digital users

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Verification processes may delay fund disbursement

Awareness challenges

  • Low visibility in rural areas

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Documents burden
Minimal, specific to eligibility
Verification complexity
Moderate, requires institutional verification
Office dependency
Low, primarily online
DBT dependency
None
CSC support
Limited, may require digital literacy
Estimated citizen effort
Moderate, requires online application and documentation

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach Moderate
  • Gender reach Female-only
  • Target income group Low to middle-income families
  • Occupation reach Students in higher education

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Composite
Benefit frequency
Monthly and annual grants
Benefit practicality
High, provides substantial financial support
Financial meaningfulness
Very meaningful for eligible candidates
Long-term impact
Promotes higher education and gender equality in academia

Plain-language guidance

This fellowship supports single girl children pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Sciences with financial assistance for their studies. It aims to ease the financial burden and promote girls' education.

Who should apply
Single girl children enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. program in Social Sciences.
Who may struggle
Applicants with limited digital access or awareness of the scheme.
Best application route
Apply directly through 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

Applications are invited through online mode once a year through advertisements in leading newspapers & employment news. Short notification is also uploaded to the UGC Website: https://www.ugc.gov.in/
Note: Candidates have to apply strictly as per the instructions given in the online portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Clarifications

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

What is the Selection Procedure once a student has successfully applied for the scholarship?

I. The fellowship will be awarded on the basis of the recommendation of the Expert Committee constituted by the Commission. The decision of the Commission will be final. Result shall be published on the UGC website. Award letters can be downloaded from UGC online application portal. ii. If the Fellow is availing any other fellowship/ project from any organization at the time of selection, she shall be required to surrender one award. iii. The Commission reserves the right to withdraw/cancel the award without assigning any reason.

When can the successful candidate Join The Fellowship?

The candidate should join the fellowship within 3 months from the date of issue of the Award letter, failing which the award will be treated as canceled.

How will the progress of the candidate be monitored?

On the progress of research work, the research fellow shall submit a yearly progress report duly signed by Guide and forwarded by HOD and Registrar/Principal/Director of the concerned institution to the identified agency

Can the fellow Accept Any Other Fellowship Or Hold Any Appointment?

The fellow who is awarded Swami Vivekananda Fellowship for Single Girl Child for research in Social Sciences will not accept any other fellowship or hold any appointment, paid or otherwise, or receive any emoluments, salary, stipend, etc. from any other source during the tenure of the award (except in case of academic leave of one year).

What is the procedure if the Fellow Desirous Of Leaving The Research Mid-Way?

The fellow desirous of leaving the research mid-way without completing research degree will have to submit her resignation duly forwarded by the concerned University/College/Institute to the designated agency under intimation to UGC office. The grant will be released upto the date of resignation tendered by the fellow.

Under what conditions can UGC cancel the fellowship of the candidate?

UGC may terminate fellowship of any candidate in case of : i. If the fellow is found to be ineligible to receive the fellowship, at any point of time during the entire duration of the fellowship. ii. Any false information furnished by the applicant. iii. Misconduct of fellow. iv. Unsatisfactory progress of research work of the fellow. v. Any other fellowship/scholarship is drawn from other source(s) during the tenure of the fellowship.

Definitions

  • Indian Universities/Colleges/Institutes

References

Guidelines
https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/1555717_guidelines-SWAMI-Vivekananda.pdf
Scheme Details
https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/nurturing-minds/scholarships/phd/swami-vivekananda-single-girl-child-scholarship-research-social

Apply

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences 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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Eligibility for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences 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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Benefits under Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences 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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences is managed by University Grants Commission and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Applications for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences 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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences.
Is Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences a central government scheme?
Yes, Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can students apply for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Is Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences only for women beneficiaries?
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences is primarily intended to support eligible women beneficiaries through welfare assistance, financial support, skill development, healthcare, or social security initiatives.
Does Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences support self-employment or financial assistance for women?
Depending on scheme guidelines, Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences may provide loans, subsidies, training support, self-employment assistance, or financial welfare benefits for women.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences 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 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences 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.