Photo: Gayatri2388, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
The Central Government’s National Fellowship for OBC Students (NFOBC) is for OBC students doing an MPhil or PhD. It is a scheme of the UGC, funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It pays ₹31,000 a month as JRF for the first 2 years and ₹35,000 a month as SRF for the next 3 years. Every year, 1,000 fellowships are given — 750 for humanities and social sciences and 250 for sciences. The fellowship lasts for a maximum of 5 years. It is for students who have qualified the UGC NET-JRF or CSIR-NET-JRF examination. Note: this is different from SHREYAS — NFOBC is only for NET-JRF qualified OBC research scholars.
How much money is given
Under the OBC Fellowship, the first 2 years pay ₹31,000 a month as JRF and the next 3 years ₹35,000 a month as SRF. HRA is also given. A contingency grant of ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 every year is also given — the amount depends on the discipline. Medical facilities and maternity/paternity leave are also given as per UGC rules. The amount comes directly into the bank account (DBT). Over 5 years, the fellowship alone can total ₹20.04 lakh — contingency and HRA are extra. Initially, only 300 fellowships were given every year, but as demand grew, the number was raised to 1,000 a year. The JRF award letter stays valid for 3 years.
Who can apply
For the OBC Fellowship, the applicant must belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) — Non-Creamy Layer. The applicant must have qualified the UGC NET-JRF (humanities and social sciences) or the UGC-CSIR NET-JRF (sciences) examination. The applicant must take admission in a regular, full-time MPhil or PhD at a UGC-recognised university or institution. The family income must not exceed ₹6 lakh a year. The applicant must not be receiving any other fellowship. The applicant must not be employed in a university, college or government institution — not even on study leave. The applicant must hold a recognised degree in humanities, social sciences, science, engineering or technology.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the UGC website, ugc.gov.in. First, qualify the UGC NET-JRF or CSIR-NET-JRF examination — selection is based on the merit in these examinations. Then fill the application on the UGC portal and upload the NET-JRF certificate, caste and income certificates and PhD admission proof. The application window is usually open every year from October to December — check the latest dates on ugc.gov.in. Never pay anyone for applying; selection is on NET-JRF merit — there is no separate written test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the OBC Fellowship? A: ₹31,000 a month as JRF for the first 2 years and ₹35,000 a month as SRF for the next 3 years, plus HRA and a ₹10,000–12,000 contingency grant.
Q2: How many fellowships are given every year? A: 1,000 — 750 through UGC NET-JRF (humanities/social sciences) and 250 through UGC-CSIR NET-JRF (sciences).
Q3: Who can apply? A: OBC Non-Creamy Layer students who qualified UGC NET-JRF or CSIR-NET-JRF and joined a full-time MPhil/PhD.
Q4: Where do I apply? A: Online on the UGC website ugc.gov.in; applications are usually invited from October to December.
Useful links
- UGC Official Website: https://www.ugc.gov.in/
- OBC Fellowship on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/nfos
- Also see the SHREYAS OBC Scholarship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-shreyas-scholarship-obc-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
