हिंदी
Delhi, 20 DEC 2023
The aim of the National Fellowship Scheme of Government for Other Backward Class students is Educational Empowerment of OBC students by way of awarding fellowship (financial assistance) in obtaining quality higher education. The scheme is designed to provide a total number of 1000 Junior Research Fellowships per year to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil. /Ph.D. Degrees, who have qualified in the following tests:
National Eligibility Test) – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC (for Humanities/Social Sciences) or
ii. UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF Joint Test (for Sciences)
Total no. of Junior Research Fellows under the scheme for the last five years is as follows:
(in Crore)
| Year | JRF Scholars | Amount Disbursed to JRF Scholars |
| 2018-19 | 324 | 10.29 |
| 2019-20 | 810 | 40.92 |
| 2020-21 | 772 | 25.59 |
| 2021-22 | 831 | 34.74 |
| 2022-23 | 1070 | 34.90 |
The existing rates under NF-OBC have been revised at par with UGC fellowships w.e.f 01.01.2023 for existing scholars under NF-OBC scheme as below:
- For JRF (Junior Research Fellowship):- From Rs 31,000/- pm for 2 years to Rs 37,000/- pm for 2 years
- For SRF (Senior Research Fellowship):- From Rs 35,000/- pm for remaining tenure to Rs 42,000/- pm for remaining tenure.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Sushri Pratima Bhoumik in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
