Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC) is a very well known scheme by University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education, to help the single girl child in research work for their Phd. The fellowship works to inspire gender equality and the spirit of single girl child norms with a focus on academic excellence.
Key Objectives
- Support Single Girl Child: Financial assistance for higher education.
- Encourage Social Awareness: Advocate for gender balance and the concept of single girl child norms.
- Promote Academic Excellence: Assist single girl children in achieving advanced degrees in Social Sciences and other fields.
Benefits
Tenure of Fellowship:
- Duration: 5 years or until submission of the Ph.D. thesis, whichever is earlier.
- Effective Date: From April 1 of the selection year or the date of joining the program, whichever is later.
- No extension is permissible beyond 5 years.
Financial Assistance:
- Fellowship Amount:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹31,000/month (first two years).
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹35,000/month (subsequent years).
- Contingency Grant:
- Humanities & Social Sciences: ₹10,000/year (initial two years), ₹20,500/year (subsequent years).
- Science, Engineering, and Technology: ₹12,000/year (initial two years), ₹25,000/year (subsequent years).
- Escort Reader Assistance:
- For Divyang scholars: ₹3,000/month.
- Housing Allowance (HRA):
- Based on government norms, provided hostel accommodation is unavailable.
- Medical Assistance:
- Scholars may avail themselves of institutional medical facilities.
- Leave Policy:
- 30 days earned leave annually.
- Maternity/paternity leave as per Government of India norms.
- Up to one-year academic leave without a fellowship for research purposes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Single Girl Child:
- The only girl child in the family with no siblings.
- A girl who is one of twin daughters is also eligible.
- Age Limit:
- General category: Up to 40 years.
- Reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD): Up to 45 years.
- Educational Criteria:
- Must be enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. program at a recognized university/institution.
- Part-time or distance learning Ph.D. programs are not eligible.
- Parental Affidavit:
- Proof of being a single girl child on an affidavit of ₹100 stamp paper, duly attested by an SDM/First Class Magistrate/Tahsildar.
- Other Conditions:
- Scholars receiving fellowship benefits must adhere to all prescribed guidelines.
- Non-compliance may result in cancellation.
Exclusions
- Families with one or more sons are not eligible.
- Part-time or distance mode Ph.D. programs are excluded.
Application Process
The application process is online only and is conducted annually.
Steps to Apply:
- Visit the Portal:
- Go to https://frg.ugc.ac.in/.
- Read the Guidelines:
- Review the eligibility criteria and requirements thoroughly before applying.
- Registration:
- Click “New User” and provide basic details, including an email address for correspondence.
- Upload scanned copies of your passport-sized photo and signature (less than 1 MB each, JPG format).
- Login:
- Use the login credentials sent to your email to access your account.
- Change your password on first login.
- Complete the Application:
- Fill in the details for eligibility, PG qualifications, and Ph.D. registration.
- Upload required documents, including the affidavit for single girl child proof.
- Submit:
- Review your application and click “Submit”.
- Save a copy of the submitted form for future reference.
Documents Required:
- Affidavit proof of single girl child (₹100 stamp paper, attested).
- Passport-sized photograph and signature (JPG, less than 1 MB).
- PG and Ph.D. qualification documents.
- Signed application form from the Head of Department/Registrar.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I apply offline?
- No, applications are accepted only through the official UGC portal.
- Are distance learning or part-time Ph.D. candidates eligible?
- No, only full-time Ph.D. candidates can apply.
- What is the financial support amount?
- ₹31,000/month for JRF (first 2 years) and ₹35,000/month for SRF (subsequent years).
- Is there an age limit?
- Yes, up to 40 years for general candidates and 45 years for reserved categories.
- What if the applicant provides incorrect information?
- Applications with false or incomplete information will be rejected, and applicants may face disqualification from other UGC schemes.
Sources and References
- Official UGC Portal: https://frg.ugc.ac.in/
- Ministry of Education Guidelines
- UGC Notification and Circulars
For further assistance, contact UGC Helpdesk at [email protected].