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Education & Learning

Post Doctoral Fellowship To Women Candidates

The UGC has initiated a scheme of “Post Doctoral Fellowship for Women” to those candidates, who are unemployed holding Ph.D. degree in their respective subject areas with an aim to accelerate the talented instincts of the women candidates to carry out the advanced studies and research.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

The financial assistance available under the scheme is as follows: | - The fellowship under the scheme is @ ₹38,800/- per month for fresh candidates. | - The fellowship under the scheme is @ ₹46,500/- per month after two years. | - An annual contingency of ₹50,000/- will be given to the eligible student for five years. | - Escorts/Reader assistance will be paid @ ₹2000/- per month (fixed) in cases of PWD (Person with disability). | 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, 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 Department. However, they are not entitled to any other vacations, such as summer, winter, and pooja vacations. Women candidates are eligible for maternity leave at full rates of the fellowship for 6th pay, 180 days as per the Government of India rules once during the tenure of their award. The fellow in special cases may be allowed by the Commission leave without fellowship and contingency for a period not exceeding three months during the tenure of the award on the recommendation of the Head of department of the institution concerned. The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure. | Duration of Fellowship: | • The tenure of the award is five years with no provision for further extension.

Who can apply

The candidate should be unemployed.; The candidates must have been awarded the Ph.D. degree to be eligible to apply (Provisional Certificate may be accepted in case the degree is not awarded).; The candidate should be 55 years of age as of the last date of submission of the online application. There shall be age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PWD (Persons with Disabilities for 5 years.; In the case of the general category minimum of 55% of marks at the UG level and a minimum of 60% of marks at the PG level. For reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PWD), a minimum of 50% of marks at the UG level and a minimum of 55% of marks at the PG level.; Candidates applying for PDF must upload the No Objection Certificate from the proposed research centre duly signed by the HOD and Registrar/Principal/Director of the University/College/Institute.; Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. The reservation shall be followed as per the Govt. of India norms.

Required Paperwork

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

Common Questions

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 objective of the scheme?

The objective of this award is to provide an opportunity to carry out advanced studies and research in Science, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, and Social Sciences in Indian Universities/Colleges/Institutions as indicated below: (a) Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under section 2(f) and 12 (b) of UGC Act, 1956.Deemed to be Universities under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 which are eligible to receive grant in aid from UGC. (c) Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/ State Govt. (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 fresh candidates and @ [?]46,500/- per month after two years.

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 @ [?]2000/- per month (fixed) in cases of PWD (Person with disability).

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.

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?

The unemployed women candidates who have been awarded the Ph.D. degree to be eligible to apply (Provisional Certificate may be accepted in case the degree is not awarded).

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

The candidate should be 55 years of age as of the last date of submission of the online application. There shall be age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PWD (Persons with Disabilities for 5 years.

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

In the case of the general category minimum of 55% of marks at the UG level and a minimum of 60% of marks at the PG level. For reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PWD), a minimum of 50% of marks at the UG level and a minimum of 55% of marks at the PG level.

Can a Transgender candidate eligible to apply under the scheme?

Yes, Transgender candidate is 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?

Applications are invited through online mode once in a year through advertisement in leading newspapers & employment news. Short notification is also uploaded in the UGC website. https://pdfw.ugc.ac.in/eligiblity.aspx