The national fellowship is established by UGC University Grants Commission which is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. The main goal of this fellowship is to support regular and full-time M.Phil./Ph.D. studies who belong to Other Backward Classes. This fellowship is a great motivation for OBC students to clear their exams with good marks and continue their higher secondary education without the pressure of arranging fees. So, the students who are completing their master’s and now want to pursue Ph.D./MPhil will surely apply for the National Fellowship for OBC.
Importance of National Fellowship for OBC
UGC is responsible for Several programs for students pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D. programs in the fields of science, social science, engineering and technology, or the humanities. All universities and institutions approved by the UGC would be covered by this National Fellowship for OBC. The chosen students will get a five-year fellowship. They are awarded a Junior Research Fellowship for the first two years and a Senior Research Fellowship for the 3 years.
- The National Fellowship for OBC students will officially end in five years. Almost 1,000 fellowships are awarded each year, and 4% of these seats are specially reserved for students with physical disabilities.
- The selected fellows under the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) category will receive a monthly stipend of 25,000 to support their research work during the initial two years. If their research goes well and they are promoted to the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) stage and their monthly stipend will increase to 28,000, which will be provided during the remaining three years of the fellowship.
Objective of National Fellowship for OBC
This program provides financial help to support students from other underprivileged classes who have passed the UGC NET/ CSIR UGC NET examination.
This fellowship helps and encourages OBC students to pursue their research dreams without worrying about the financial burden of tuition or living expenses.
The stipend amount is transferred directly into the student’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
National Fellowship for OBC Eligibility
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen
- Must be belongs to OBC category
- You belong d the UGC-NET or CSIR-UGC NET examination.
- Candidate must be enrolled in MPhil/ PHD from a recognized university.
- The annual income of the candidate should be no more than 6 lakhs.
- The student will not be receiving any previous scholarship
- No specific age limit required.
Benefits of National Fellowship for OBC
- 25,000 25,000th for the first 2 years for junior students and 28,000 per month for senior research students per month for the next 3 years.
- If the university is not providing the accommodation so the house rent will be provided as per law.
- 2,000 per month is provided to physically or visually disabled students
- The fellowship amount is sent directly to the student’s bank account every month
Login OBC Fellowship
- Applicants have to visit the official website of the UGS portal
- Click on the login button.
- Enter your ID and password.
- Now, click on the Login button to proceed
Documents Required
- UGC-NET / CSIR-NET Certificate
- Admission/Enrollment Proof
- Income Certificate
- Issued by a competent government authority.
- Aadhaar Card / Identity Process
- Bank Account Details
- Passport-size Photograph
- Disability Certificate (if applicable
FAQS
- Who can apply?
- Must belong to the OBC category (Non-Creamy Layer) or Economically Backward Class (EBC).
- Must have been admitted to an M.Phil. or Ph.D. program through a regular, full-time mode.
- Family annual income must not exceed ₹8,00,000.
- Must have passed the NET or equivalent exam (UGC-NET / CSIR-NET / ICAR-NET, etc.).
- How many fellowships are available?
- 300 fellowships per year.
- Reservation as per the Government of India norms.
- What is the duration of the fellowship?
- M.Phil.: Maximum 2 years.
- Ph.D.: Maximum 5 years (including M.Phil. period if enrolled).
- 4. What financial support is provided?
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹31,000/month (first 2 years).
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹35,000/month (remaining period).
- Contingency grant: ₹10,000/year (M.Phil.) and ₹20,500/year (Ph.D.).
- HRA: As per institutional rules.
- How to apply?
- Apply online through the official fellowship portal: https://nfobc.ugc.ac.in
- Upload all required documents i.n PDF format.
- What documents are needed?
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / EBC certificate (as per Govt. of India format).
- Admission proof to M.Phil./Ph.D.
- Income certificate.
- NET qualification proof.
- Aadhaar and bank account details.
- Is there an age limit?
Yes. The candidate must be below 35 years of age at the time of application (relaxation for reserved categories as per rules).
- What is the last date to apply?
The last date has not been announced officially.