Maulana Azad National Fellowship 2025: Amount, Apply Online Phd Minority Students

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students was established in 2009 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs with the view to offering financial assistance to minority students. The fellowship is meant to assist those pursuing postgraduation to M. Phil and Ph.D. levels, this with the broader goal of motivating young scholars into research careers.

Objective of the Fellowship:

The primary aim of the fellowship is to offer five-year financial aid to minority group students, as notified by the Central Government, to enable them to study at higher levels (M. Phil and Ph.D.) in recognized institutions of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Fellowship Benefits:

The fellowship offers financial assistance that is equivalent to the UGC fellowship rates:

For Science, Humanities, and Social Science:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹31,000 per month for the first two years.
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹35,000 per month for the remaining tenure.
For Engineering and Technology:
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹31,000 per month for the first two years.
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹35,000 per month for the remaining tenure.
Contingency Grants:
- For Humanities & Social Sciences: ₹10,000 per annum for the first two years, ₹20,500 per annum for the remaining tenure.
- For Sciences, Engineering & Technology: ₹12,000 per annum for the first two years, ₹25,000 per annum for the remaining tenure.
Escorts/Reader Assistance (for physically and visually handicapped candidates): ₹2,000 per month.

Eligibility:

The applicant should be a part of one of the minority communities (Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, or Zoroastrian (Parsi)).
Applicant must qualify the UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination.
If applicant does not complete his/her research work during the period of fellowship shall not be eligible to apply again under this scheme.
If applicant completely or partially availed any fellowship earlier shall also not be eligible for fellowship under this scheme.
Employees of any university, college, educational institution, or central, state, or union territory government are not eligible for fellowships, even if they are on study leave or end of life (EOL) leave to pursue an M.Phil. or Ph.D. course.

Exclusions:

Only 2 students per family are allowed to take benefit of this scheme.
Employees of any University/ College/ Educational Institutional/ Central/ State/ UT Government shall be excluded from availing fellowship, even if they are on Study Leave or EOL to pursue the M.Phil./Ph.D. course

Application Process:

The candidates should apply and appear in UGC-NET / Joint CSIR-UGC Test for both i.e. Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) as well as Eligibility for Assistant Professor.
This fellowship is awarded only through UGC-NET / Joint CSIR-UGC Test.
Applicant have to visit the official portal https://nta.ac.in/ for UGC-NET and https://csirhrdg.res.in/ for CSIR-UGC.
For the candidates who had already taken admission into M.Phil / Ph.D while applying for the concerned UGC-NET/ Joint CSIR-UGC Test, the validity period of the offer is three months w.e.f. the date of issue of Award letter

Documents Required:

Identity Proof of the applicant
Passport-sized Photograph
Proof of Date of Birth
Proof of Permanent Residency in India
Post-Graduation Marks Sheet
Ph.D. Certificate
Work and Research Experience Certificate
Research Publications
Biodata of Scientist Mentor
Research Proposal
Publications List
Consent from Scientist Mentor
Endorsement from Head of Host Institution

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q1: Under the MANF scheme, who can apply for the fellowship?
Those from minority groups ( Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, Zoroastrian (Parsi)) who have passed the UGC- NET or Joint CSIR-UGC Test.
Q2: Does one have to show up for the UGC- NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test in order for MANF Fellowship?
Candidates must, indeed, pass the UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC Test.
Q3: Under what timeframe should MANF be availed via UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test?
One can access the fellowship for five years, or Ph.D. term.
Q4: Where will the qualified MANF candidate obtain their Award Letter?
Following the UGC-NET/CSIR-UGC test will be the award letter sent.
Q5: Should I not have stated my minority status when applying for the UGC- NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test, may I be regarded for MANF?
No, applying for UGC- NET or Joint CSIR-UGC Test calls for declaring your minority status.
Q6: At one time, how many fellowships may the individual apply for?
One fellowship at a time is just aviable.
Q7: Choose from what mode?
The UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test is the basis of selection; additional review by an expert committee follows.
Q8: Does one have any inclination for applicants who have previously been admitted into M.Phil/Ph.D.?
Though there is no preference, candidates have to satisfy all eligibility requirements.
Q9: The fellowship lasts what length of time?
The fellowship lasts only five years, or Ph.D. term.
Q10: For what fellowship rate?
Along with additional contingency, the fellowship pays ₹31,000 per month for the first two years (JRF) and ₹35,000 each month for the remaining tenure (SRF).

Note – Maulana Azad Fellowship is Now discontinued.