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Education & Learning

Post Doctoral Fellowship to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Candidates

This scheme has been initiated keeping in view social background of candidates from the deprived section of society and to provide them an opportunity to undertake advanced studies and research in Science, Engineering & Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences in Indian Universities/Institutions.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

The financial assistance available under the scheme is as follows: | Sl. No.ItemRate of Fellowship (Pre-revised)Rate of Fellowship (Revised w. e. f. 01.12.2014)1Fellowship @ ₹16,000/- per month@ ₹38,800/- per month for first 2 years & ₹46,500/- per month from third years onwards.2Contingency@₹30,000/- per annum@₹50,000/- per annum3Departmental Assistance10% of the Post Doctoral Fellowship to the host InstitutionNot applicable4Escorts/Reader/Assistance@ ₹2,000/- per month (fixed) in cases of physically disabled & blind Candidate.@ ₹2,000/- per month (fixed) in cases of physically disabled & blind Candidate.5HRAAs per University /Institution rules.As per University /Institution rules.House Rent Allowance: | - Suitable single-seated hostel accommodation may be provided to the candidates in the institutions. In such cases, the fellow is eligible to draw only hostel fees excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. A certificate to this effect is to be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal. HRA is not permissible for those candidates who are staying in Hostel accommodation. | - In case of non-availability of hostel accommodation, the fellow may be provided with single accommodation by the host institution. In such cases, the rent paid by the fellow on an actual basis may be reimbursed subject to the ceiling of HRA as per Govt. of India norms. | - If the fellow makes her own arrangements of accommodation, he/she may be entitled to draw HRA as per the categorization of cities by the Govt. of India. | Medical: | No separate/fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the Post-Doctoral Fellow may avail of the medical facilities available in the University/Institution/College. | Leave: | - Leave for a maximum period of 30 days in a year in addition to public holidays may be taken by the Post-Doctoral Fellow with the approval of the Head of the Department. However, they are not entitled to any other vacations, such as summer, winter, and pooja vacations. | - Candidates are eligible for maternity/ paternity leave at full rates of the fellowship as per Government of India rules once during the tenure of the award. | - Academic leave: The fellow may be allowed to avail academic leave without fellowship and contingency for a period not exceeding one year during the tenure of the award for academic/teaching assignment/ foreign visit in connection with research work. The expenditure on travel cannot be claimed from UGC. The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure. | Note: All kinds of leaves shall be approved by the University/Institute/College. | Duration of Fellowship: | - The tenure of the award is five years with no provision for further extension.

Who can apply

The candidate must have a doctorate degree in the relevant subject preferably with published research work to their credit. (Provisional degree certificate may be accepted if degree is not awarded); The candidates should belong to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category.; Only Ph.D. awarded unemployed candidates will be eligible for the award of Post Doctoral Fellowship.; The upper age limit for male applicants is 50 years as of the last date of receipt of online applications and 55 years in the case of female candidates.; The candidates of SC/ST categories having 50% marks at the UG level and 55% marks at the PG level are eligible to apply under the Scheme.; The candidate must upload the No Objection Certificate from the proposed research place duly forwarded by the Head of Department and Registrar/Director/Principal in the online application.; Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. The reservation shall be followed as per government of India norms.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

What is the objective of the scheme?

The objective of the scheme is to provide an opportunity to SC/ST candidates to undertake postdoctoral research in Sciences, Engineering & Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences at Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges as indicated below: (a) Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under Section 2(f) and 12 (B) of UGC Act. (b) Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC. (c) Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/State Government. (d) Institutes of National Importance.

Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?

University Grants Commission, Government of India

How much amount of fellowship is paid under scheme?

The fellowship under the scheme is @ [?]38,800/- per month for first 2 years & [?]46,500/- per month from third years onwards.

How much amount of contingency is paid under scheme?

An annual contingency of [?]50,000/- will be given to the eligible student for five years.

How much amount of assistance is paid for Escorts/Reader under scheme?

Escorts/Reader assistance will be paid @ [?]2,000/- per month (fixed) in cases of physically disabled & blind Candidate.

How many slots are available under the scheme per year?

The number of slots available under the scheme is 100 per year.

Is there any House Rent Allowance admissible to the fellows?

Suitable single-seated hostel accommodation may be provided to the candidates in the institutions. In such cases, the fellow is eligible to draw only hostel fees excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. A certificate to this effect is to be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal. HRA is not permissible for those candidates who are staying in Hostel accommodation.

Is there any separate/fixed medical assistance provided to the fellows?

No separate/fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the Post-Doctoral Fellow may avail of the medical facilities available in the University/Institution/College.

What is the duration of the fellowship?

The tenure of the fellowship is five years with no provision for further extension.

What are the eligibility conditions for availing of fellowship under the scheme?

Only Ph.D. awarded unemployed candidates belonging to the SC/ST category will be eligible for the award of Post Doctoral Fellowship.

What is the age criterion for availing of fellowship under the scheme?

The upper age limit for male applicants is 50 years as of the last date of receipt of online applications and 55 years in the case of female candidates.

What are the marks criteria for availing of fellowship under the scheme?

The candidates of SC/ST categories having 50% marks at the UG level and 55% marks at the PG level are eligible to apply under the Scheme.

Can a Transgender candidate eligible to apply under the scheme?

Yes, Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. However, the reservation shall be followed as per the Govt. of India norms.

How to apply under the scheme?

The applications are invited through online mode once in a year through advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News from the candidates belonging to the SC/ST category fulfilling the eligibility conditions under the scheme. A short notification will also be uploaded on the UGC Website. https://pdfss.ugc.ac.in/default.aspx