The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates is a fellowship program formulated and funded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. This scheme is available to SC candidates pursuing full-time M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Engineering & Technology.
- Total Slots: 2,000 fellowships are awarded every year.
- Reservation: 3% of fellowships are reserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) belonging to the SC category.
Objective
The RGNF scheme provides five-year fellowships to SC students enrolled in M.Phil. and Ph.D. programs in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges, including:
- Universities/Institutions/Colleges covered under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act.
- Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, eligible for UGC grants.
- Universities/Institutions funded by the Central/State Government.
- Institutes of National Importance.
Benefits
Duration of Fellowship
| Course | Maximum Duration | Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Phil. | 2 years or dissertation submission | 2 years | Not Applicable |
| M.Phil./Ph.D. | 5 years or Ph.D. submission | 2 years | Remaining 3 years |
| Ph.D. | 5 years or Ph.D. submission | 2 years | Remaining 3 years |
Fellowship Amount
| Category | JRF (First 2 Years) | SRF (Remaining 3 Years) |
|---|---|---|
| Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences | ₹25,000 per month | ₹28,000 per month |
| Contingency (Humanities & Social Sciences) | ₹10,000 per year | ₹20,500 per year |
| Contingency (Sciences, Engineering & Technology) | ₹12,000 per year | ₹25,000 per year |
| Escorts/Reader Assistance (for PwD Candidates) | ₹2,000 per month | ₹2,000 per month |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | As per Government norms | As per Government norms |
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- If hostel accommodation is provided, the fellow is eligible to draw only hostel fees (excluding mess, electricity, and water charges).
- If hostel accommodation is unavailable, the fellow may claim HRA based on actual rent paid (subject to government norms).
- If making private arrangements, the fellow may receive HRA as per Government of India categorization of cities.
Note: All HRA claims must be submitted through the concerned University/College/Institute.
Medical Benefits
- No separate/fixed medical assistance is provided.
- Fellows may avail of medical facilities available in their University/Institution/College.
Leave Policy
- General Leave: 30 days per year, apart from public holidays (not eligible for summer/winter vacations).
- Maternity/Paternity Leave: Full fellowship rates as per Government of India rules (once during tenure).
- Academic Leave:
- Up to 1 year (without fellowship) for academic/teaching assignments or foreign visits for research.
- Travel expenses cannot be claimed from UGC.
- Leave counts toward the fellowship tenure.
- Other Fellowships/Paid Assignments:
- No prior permission from UGC is required.
- Candidates selected for another fellowship must resign from RGNF.
Note: All leave requests must be approved by the respective University/Institute/College.
Eligibility
Target Group
- SC candidates who passed their postgraduate examination in the relevant subject and are pursuing full-time research (M.Phil. or Ph.D.).
- Candidates not receiving JRF through UGC-NET or CSIR-NET.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
- Must have completed a postgraduate degree in the relevant subject.
- Must be enrolled for M.Phil. or Ph.D. in an eligible university/institute.
- Transgender candidates are eligible to apply (reservation as per Government of India norms).
Application Process
Mode of Application
- Applications are invited online once a year via advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News.
- Notifications are also published on the UGC website: www.ugc.ac.in.
- Applications must be submitted through UGC’s e-SARTS portal
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selection Process
- Screening Committee reviews applications.
- Shortlisted candidates are invited for an interview.
- Final selection is made by an Expert Committee.
- Results are published on the UGC website.
- Fellowship starts from April 1st of the selection year or actual date of joining, whichever is later.
Documents Required
- Passport-size Photograph
- Aadhaar Number
- Bonafide Certificate (from university/institution)
- Caste Certificate (SC category proof)
- Proof of Identity (Government ID)
- Proof of Age
- Proof of Address
- Educational Qualification Certificates
Additional Documents for Fellowship Continuation:
- Continuation Certificate (every three months)
- Annual Progress Report (after 1 year)
- Contingency Grant Utilization Report
- HRA Certificate
Note: UGC will verify documents before disbursing funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: What is the objective of the RGNF scheme?
The scheme provides financial assistance to SC students pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D.. - Q: How many fellowships are available each year?
There are 2,000 slots for SC candidates. - Q: Is there a reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)?
Yes, 3% of the fellowships are reserved for PwD candidates. - Q: Can transgender candidates apply?
Yes, transgender candidates are eligible under this scheme. - Q: Can I apply offline?
No, applications are accepted only online via the UGC e-SARTS portal. - Q: What happens if my research work is unsatisfactory?
The fellowship may be terminated if progress is not satisfactory.
Q: What is the leave policy for RGNF?
- General Leave: 30 days per year.
- Maternity/Paternity Leave: Full fellowship amount (once).
- Academic Leave: Up to 1 year (without fellowship).