Rajasthan Ambedkar Fellowship Scheme for SC Students ₹15,000 Monthly Stipend

The Ambedkar Fellowship Scheme is an initiative by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Rajasthan, designed to provide financial assistance to meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing Ph.D. research in selected disciplines. The fellowship aims to support scholars in their academic and research endeavors, ensuring financial stability during their doctoral studies.

In its first phase, the scheme will benefit six students annually, with a focus on Sociology, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Political Science, and Anthropology.

Benefits

Monthly Fellowship Grant: ₹15,000 per month.
Duration: Up to 3 years (subject to satisfactory academic progress).
Mode of Disbursement: Fellowship is directly transferred to the student’s bank account via cheque or demand draft (DD).
Annual Progress Review: Students must submit a progress report every year to continue receiving the fellowship.

Eligibility Criteria

Residency: The applicant must be a native of Rajasthan.
Category: The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
Educational Qualification:
- Must have completed a postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks.
Age Limit: The applicant must be below 35 years of age at the time of application.
Family Income Limit: The annual family income should not exceed ₹2,50,000 from all sources.
University Preference: Preference is given to candidates enrolled in central or state government universities in Rajasthan.
Subject Criteria: Applicants must be pursuing Ph.D. research in one of the following subjects:
- Sociology
- Public Administration
- Law
- Economics
- Political Science
- Anthropology
Maximum Family Benefit: A maximum of two children from the same family (parents/guardians) can apply under the scheme.

Other Terms & Conditions

The selected student must submit a certificate of admission from the Head of the University/Institute where they are pursuing a Ph.D.
The student must maintain minimum attendance and comply with University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.
A progress report must be submitted every year, and upon completion of research, a copy of the thesis must be provided to the department.
If the fellowship funds are misused, the recipient must repay the amount with 10% interest.
Students must submit an undertaking on a ₹100 Non-Judicial Stamp Paper, confirming they are not receiving any other fellowship.

Exclusions

Students receiving other fellowships or financial assistance from any other government department or institution are not eligible.
Part-time Ph.D. students are not eligible.

Application Process

Offline Application Submission

Fill Out the Application Form
- Download and complete the prescribed application form issued by the Rajasthan Government.
- Ensure that all personal, educational, and bank details are correctly entered.
Submit the Application
- The completed application form along with the required documents must be sent to:
  Secretary, Ambedkar Peeth, Moondla, Jamwaramgarh, Jaipur
  Email ID: [email protected]
Application Scrutiny
- A Scrutiny Committee will verify applications for eligibility and completeness.
- The Social Justice and Empowerment Department will oversee the verification process.
Selection by State-Level Approval Committee
- A State-Level Approval Committee will select six students per year based on:
  - Academic merit
  - Ph.D. research proposal quality
  - Compliance with eligibility criteria
Annual Review & Renewal
- Students must submit a yearly progress report to continue receiving the fellowship.
- If a student discontinues their Ph.D. or misuses the funds, they may be required to repay the amount with 10% interest.

Note: Applications must be submitted within one month from the date of advertisement.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit self-attested copies of the following documents:

Caste Certificate (Issued by a competent authority in Rajasthan).
Residence Certificate (Proof of permanent residency in Rajasthan).
Income Certificate (Issued in the Rajasthan government format).
Aadhaar Card (Proof of identity).
Bank Account Details (Linked to Aadhaar for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)).
Postgraduate Degree Certificate (With at least 55% marks).
Ph.D. Admission Proof (Admission letter from a recognized university in Rajasthan).
Research Proposal (Outline of the proposed Ph.D. research).
Affidavit on ₹100 Non-Judicial Stamp Paper (Declaring that the applicant is not receiving any other fellowship).
Any other supporting documents as required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who is eligible for the Ambedkar Fellowship Scheme?
The scheme is open to Scheduled Caste (SC) students from Rajasthan who have secured admission for a Ph.D. in Sociology, Public Administration, Law, Economics, Political Science, or Anthropology.
Q: What is the age limit to apply?
Applicants must be below 35 years of age at the time of application.
Q: How is the fellowship amount disbursed?
The ₹15,000 monthly fellowship is directly transferred to the student’s bank account via cheque or DD.
Q: Can a student apply if they are already receiving another scholarship?
No, students receiving financial aid or fellowships from another institution or government department are not eligible.
Q: Is this scheme available for part-time Ph.D. students?
No, the fellowship is only available for full-time Ph.D. scholars.
Q: Can students from private universities apply?
The priority is for students in government universities. However, applicants from recognized private universities may be considered if they meet all eligibility criteria.
Q: What happens if a student discontinues their research?
If a student discontinues their Ph.D., they must return the fellowship amount with 10% interest.
Q: What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted within one month of the official advertisement by the Rajasthan government.
Q: What happens if a student misuses the fellowship funds?
If misuse is detected, the student will be required to repay the amount with a 10% penalty.
Q: How is the selection process conducted?
A State-Level Approval Committee evaluates applications based on academic merit and research quality before selecting six students per year.