The “Research (PhD) Scholarship for SC/ST Students” is a scholarship scheme launched by the Higher Education Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh to support Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students pursuing PhD research in recognized universities across India.
The primary objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to enable research scholars from SC/ST communities to complete their doctoral studies.
Every year, the government allocates:
- 100 scholarships for SC students
- 56 scholarships for ST students
Benefits
- ₹16,000 per month is awarded to selected PhD scholars.
- Total scholarship amount: ₹1,92,000 per year.
- The scholarship is provided for a maximum period of 3 years.
- The amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of Madhya Pradesh.
- The applicant must be registered for PhD research at a recognized university in India.
- The student must have qualified for the Research Degree Committee (RDC) interview.
- The applicant should belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
- The student must have obtained minimum qualifying marks in post-graduation, as per UGC guidelines for SC/ST students.
- The annual income of the applicant’s parents/guardians must not exceed ₹3,00,000.
Application Process
Offline Mode
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Advertisement Issuance:
- The Directorate of Higher Education issues the advertisement for the scholarship scheme.
- Applicants must refer to the official advertisement for eligibility and application deadlines.
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Application Submission & Scrutiny:
- Interested candidates should submit their applications along with supporting documents.
- The applications are verified and scrutinized by the concerned department.
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Selection & Disbursement:
- Selection is based on merit and available quota (100 for SC, 56 for ST).
- The final list of selected candidates is approved by the Commissioner of Higher Education.
- The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account.
Documents Required
- Passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar Card
- Domicile Certificate (Proof of Madhya Pradesh residency)
- Previous class marksheet (Postgraduate degree certificate)
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST)
- Income Certificate (As per MP Govt. norms)
- Bank Passbook (Account details for Direct Benefit Transfer)
- Any other document as required by the department
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How much financial support is provided under this scheme?
The selected PhD students receive ₹16,000 per month, which totals ₹1,92,000 per year.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?
SC/ST students from Madhya Pradesh who are registered for PhD research in a recognized Indian university and have cleared the RDC interview.
Q: What are the qualifications needed for the postgraduate degree?
Applicants must have completed a postgraduate degree with the minimum qualifying marks prescribed for SC/ST students by UGC guidelines.
Q: How long can a student receive the scholarship?
The scholarship is provided for a maximum of 3 years.
Q: Is there a quota for the number of scholarships available?
Yes, the government provides 100 scholarships for SC students and 56 scholarships for ST students every year.
Q: How is the scholarship amount disbursed?
The amount is directly transferred to the student’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Q: Where can I find the advertisement for the scholarship?
The Directorate of Higher Education releases the scholarship advertisement every year. Candidates can check:
- Official Higher Education Department Website
- Notifications in leading newspapers
Q: How are applications selected for the scholarship?
Applications are scrutinized based on eligibility criteria and availability of quota (100 for SC, 56 for ST). The final approval is granted by the Commissioner of Higher Education.
Q: Can students from outside Madhya Pradesh apply for this scholarship?
No, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Madhya Pradesh to be eligible.