The objective of the scheme is to provide five-year fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students from SC categories, as notified by the Central Government to pursue higher studies such as M.Phil. and Ph.D. at Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges as indicated below: i. Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under sections 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act. ii. Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC. iii. Universities/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/State Government iv. Institutes of National Importance.

The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme for Scheduled Caste is formulated and funded by the Ministry of Social Justice &Empowerment.

There are 2000 slots for Scheduled Caste every year for all the subjects: Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Engineering & Technology.

Yes, 3% of fellowships are reserved for Persons with Disabilities candidates belonging to SC categories as per the provision laid down by the Government of India.

The applications are invited through online mode once a year through advertisements in leading newspapers and Employment News.

If the research work is found satisfactory, his/her tenure will be extended further for a period of five years under the enhanced emoluments of the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship SC.

The tenure of the fellowship is initially for five years under the RGNF-SC Scheme.

I. The total number of fellowships each year will be 2000. ii. In case the numbers of candidates exceed the number of available slots, UGC will select the candidates for the fellowship based on the percentage of marks obtained by them in their qualifying Post Graduation examination. iii. The reservation for differently abled students shall be made as per UGC norms and in a horizontal manner. iv. Scholars will be selected under the scheme in all domains of knowledge.

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

In case the work for the first two years is not found satisfactory, an additional year will be given to him/her for improvement. However, during this period he/she will be designated as Rajiv Gandhi National Junior Fellow. In such cases work will be evaluated again before the third year of the tenure, and if improvement is found the Fellow will get two more years of RGNF at enhanced rates (SRF). In case the candidate is not considered suitable for upgradation, the fellowship for the remaining tenure will be at JRF rates.

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

Academic Leave: The Fellow may be allowed academic leave (without fellowship and other emoluments) for a period not exceeding one year during the tenure of 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.

If the awardee wishes to apply for any other fellowship/paid assignment/examination conducted by a public body during the tenure of the fellowship, he/ she is not required to obtain NOC from UGC. In case of selection, the candidate would be required to tender their resignation from the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship.

Yes, Candidates are eligible for maternity/ paternity leave at full rates of the fellowship as per Govt. of India rules once during the tenure of the award.