The Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences is a prestigious initiative by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India. This fellowship aims to support higher education for single girl children pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Sciences by providing financial assistance.
The objectives of this scheme include:
- Encouraging higher education among single girl children.
- Promoting gender equality by recognizing and supporting single girl children.
- Enhancing research opportunities for women in Social Sciences.
This fellowship applies to single girl children pursuing full-time Ph.D. programs in recognized universities and institutions in India.
Benefits of the Fellowship
1. Monthly Fellowship Grant
- ₹25,000 per month for the first two years.
- ₹28,000 per month for the remaining tenure.
2. Contingency Grant
- ₹10,000 per annum for the first two years.
- ₹20,500 per annum for the remaining tenure.
3. Assistance for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) :Escort/Reader Assistance: ₹2,000 per month for PWD candidates.
4. Tenure of the Fellowship
- The fellowship lasts for 5 years, starting from April 1st of the selection year or the date of joining.
- The fellowship ends upon submission of the Ph.D. thesis or completion of 5 years, whichever is earlier.
- No extensions beyond 5 years are allowed.
5. Accommodation & House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Hostel Accommodation: Candidates staying in university hostels will only receive hostel fees (excluding mess, electricity, and water charges).
- Private Accommodation: If hostel facilities are unavailable, candidates can claim rent reimbursement as per Government of India HRA norms.
- A certificate from the university/institution is required for HRA claims.
6. Medical Facilities : No separate medical allowance is provided, but candidates can access medical services available at the university/institution.
7. Leave Benefits
- 30 days of leave per year (excluding public holidays).
- Maternity leave as per Government of India norms (once during the tenure).
- One-year academic leave (without fellowship benefits) for foreign research, academic assignments, or teaching.
- Academic leave counts within the total 5-year tenure.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this Ph.D. fellowship for single girl children, candidates must:
- Be a single girl child in the family (i.e., no siblings).
- Twin daughters or fraternal daughters are eligible.
- If a family has both a son and a daughter, the daughter is not eligible.
- Be enrolled in a full-time Ph.D. program in Social Sciences at a recognized institution.
- Be pursuing a Ph.D. from:
- UGC-recognized universities under Section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956.
- Deemed-to-be Universities receiving UGC aid under Section 3 of the UGC Act.
- Central or State Government-funded universities and institutions.
- Institutes of National Importance.
- Distance education or part-time Ph.D. students are NOT eligible.
- Be below 40 years of age (General category) or below 45 years (SC/ST/OBC/PWD).
- Transgender candidates are eligible under this scheme.
Application Process
Step 1: Online Application Submission
- Visit the official UGC portal: UGC Official Website
- Click on “Apply Online” under the Fellowship Schemes section.
- Fill in the application form with the required details.
- Upload all necessary documents (self-attested).
- Submit the form online and keep a copy for reference.
Step 2: Selection Process
- Applications are reviewed once a year.
- Selection is merit-based, and the final list of selected candidates is published on the UGC website.
Documents Required
Applicants must upload self-attested copies of the following documents:
- Aadhaar Card (or any government-issued ID).
- Proof of Identity (e.g., PAN Card, Voter ID).
- Proof of Age (Birth Certificate or 10th Marksheet).
- Bank Account Details (for fellowship disbursement).
- Proof of Pursuing Ph.D. in Social Sciences (Admission Letter or Enrollment Certificate).
- Passport-size Photograph.
- Caste Certificate (if applicable).
- Disability Certificate (for PWD applicants).
- Transgender ID Card (if applicable).
- Single Girl Child Affidavit on ₹50 Stamp Paper, attested by SDM/First Class Magistrate/Gazetted Officer (not below the rank of Tehsildar).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the selection process for this fellowship?
Candidates are shortlisted based on merit, and the final selection list is published on the UGC website. - When can the selected candidate start the fellowship?
The fellowship starts from April 1st of the selection year or the date of joining the Ph.D. program, whichever is later. - How is the fellow’s research progress monitored?
Regular progress reports must be submitted through the university/institution. - Can a fellow hold any other scholarship while receiving this fellowship?
No, candidates cannot hold any other fellowship or be employed during the tenure. - What if the fellow wishes to leave the research mid-way?
The UGC must be informed immediately, and all unused funds must be returned.