Central Government Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates: ₹58,000 a Month

11 November 2026, 2:45 AM • Harish Sharma • Category: All India Schemes

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News: Central Government Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates: ₹58,000 a Month
Date: 11 November 2026, 2:45 AM
Author: Harish Sharma
Category: All India Schemes
Source: See the official portal for details — the link is inside the story.

Photo: Shixart1985, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

To give researchers from deprived sections of society a chance to advance, the UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC/ST Candidates is run. It is a scheme of the University Grants Commission (UGC). A selected PhD holder from the SC or ST community gets ₹58,000 a month as fellowship. The fellowship is for 5 years. It is given for research in all subjects — science, engineering, technology, humanities and social sciences. Its aim is that no talented researcher should be left behind because of social background. The scheme was started keeping in view the social background of candidates from deprived sections of society, and it gives them an opportunity to undertake advanced studies and research.

How much money is given

The SC/ST Post-Doctoral Fellowship pays as follows.

First year: ₹58,000 a month — the fellowship amount.
Second year: ₹61,000 a month — the increased amount from the second year.
From the third year: ₹67,000 a month — a further increase from the third year.
Contingency: ₹50,000 a year — for research expenses.
HRA — a housing allowance is given as per the norms.
Duration: 5 years — the full period for research work.

These amounts follow the rates revised in the UGC’s 572nd meeting, in force from 1 January 2023. The older guidelines quoted ₹38,800 a month for the first 2 years and ₹46,500 a month after that, which were raised in 2023. The fellowship is paid directly into the fellow’s bank account.

Who can apply

This fellowship is for SC or ST PhD holders.

The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
The applicant must hold a PhD degree.
Age not more than 50 years. For women applicants, the age limit is 55 years.
The applicant must do research at a university or institute under UGC Sections 2(f) and 12(B).
The applicant should have a good research record — publications and research work are looked at.

How to apply

Applications are made online on the frg.ugc.ac.in portal. First check the new notice on the portal, then fill the application and upload the PhD certificate, caste certificate, research proposal and academic certificates. Applications for this fellowship open every year. Check the portal for the new notice for the 2026-27 cycle dates, because the dates can change every year. Selection is based on the quality of the research proposal and the research record. Never pay anyone for applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How much money is given under the SC/ST Post-Doctoral Fellowship? A: ₹58,000 a month in the first year, ₹61,000 in the second year and ₹67,000 from the third year, plus a ₹50,000 yearly contingency. Q2: For how many years is the fellowship given? A: For 5 years. Q3: Who can apply? A: SC or ST PhD holders; age up to 50 years (55 years for women). Q4: Where do I apply? A: On the frg.ugc.ac.in portal; applications open every year.