National Fellowship For OBC Students

Key facts

Benefit	₹31,000 monthly
Who	OBC students
How paid	Directly to bank account
Implemented by	University Grants Commission
Official portal	ugc.ac.in
Application window	Annual window — confirm dates on the official portal

Benefits

Beneficiaries receive a monthly fellowship amount of ₹31,000, which may vary based on the course and duration. The fellowship is available for a maximum of five years, depending on the program pursued.

Who can apply

For: student
Category: OBC
not income tax payer
no government employee in family
poor household

This fellowship is available to students from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) who are not income tax payers and do not have any government employees in their family. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. program and cannot receive similar benefits from other government schemes.

Who is not eligible

Income tax payers
Government employees
Existing beneficiaries

How to apply

Interested candidates can apply through the official UGC website or designated institutions.

Check eligibility criteria on the UGC website.
Gather required documents including Aadhaar Number and Caste Certificate.
Complete the application form available on the UGC portal.
Submit the application along with necessary documents before the deadline.
Await communication regarding the fellowship award.

Apply on the official website ↗

Documents required

Aadhaar Number
Caste Certificate
Parent’s Annual Income Certificate
Passport-size Photograph and Signature
Mark-sheet of Masters Degree
Declaration/Certificate from Head of Department/Institution or University/College
Proof of Physical Disability (if required)
Bank Details

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
Application rejected	Check if all required documents are submitted and meet eligibility criteria.
Payment not received	Verify bank details provided in the application and ensure compliance with fellowship conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the National Fellowship for OBC Students?

Eligibility is limited to OBC students who are not income tax payers and do not have government employees in their family, enrolled in full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programs.

What documents are required to apply for the fellowship?

Applicants need to provide an Aadhaar Number, Caste Certificate, Parent’s Annual Income Certificate, and other specified documents such as mark-sheets and bank details.

Can I apply for this fellowship if I am already receiving another scholarship?

No, students who are already receiving similar benefits from any Central or State Government scheme are not eligible for this fellowship.

What is the duration of the fellowship?

The fellowship can be awarded for a maximum of five years, depending on the course, with an initial period of two years as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and up to three additional years as Senior Research Fellow (SRF) if progress is satisfactory.

Is there a reservation for students with disabilities?

Yes, at least 4% of the total fellowship seats are reserved for students with disabilities.

What happens if I do not meet the progress requirements after two years?

If the research progress is deemed unsatisfactory after two years, the fellowship may not be extended to the Senior Research Fellow (SRF) status.

Key terms explained

SC / ST / OBC: Official social categories — Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes — used for reservations and targeted welfare schemes.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.