National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities

About this scheme

The National Fellowship for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (NFPwD) is a Central Sector scheme implemented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. It provides financial assistance to students with benchmark disabilities (40% or more) to pursue regular and full-time M.Phil or Ph.D. programmes in Science, Humanities, or Social Science at Indian universities recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The scheme awards 200 fellowships every year. Of these, 75% (150 slots) are filled through the UGC-NET-JRF and 25% (50 slots) through the UGC-CSIR NET-JRF, with slots transferable between the two if sufficient eligible candidates are not available in one category. The fellowship rates are at par with UGC fellowships — ₹37,000 per month for JRF (first 2 years) and ₹42,000 per month for SRF (subsequent 3 years), along with contingency grants and House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Government of India norms. The fellowship is tenable for a maximum of 5 years or until the submission of the Ph.D. thesis, whichever is earlier. M.Phil is permitted only in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric Social Work as per UGC guidelines under NEP 2020, and the maximum gap between M.Phil and Ph.D. admission is 2 years. Selection is based on merit from UGC-NET / CSIR-NET results, and a valid Unique Disability ID (UDID) is mandatory.

Eligibility

• Disability: Must have benchmark disability of 40% or more as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, with a valid disability certificate issued by the competent authority
• UDID: Unique Disability ID (UDID) or UDID enrolment is mandatory
• National exam: Must have qualified UGC-NET-JRF or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA)
• Programme: Must be pursuing regular and full-time M.Phil or Ph.D. in Science, Humanities, or Social Science at a UGC-recognised university or research institution
• Admission: Candidates not admitted at the time of fellowship application must secure admission within 3 years from the date of award of fellowship
• Income ceiling: No income ceiling applicable
• Concurrent fellowship: Must not be receiving any other scholarship, stipend, or fellowship. Must not hold any paid appointment or receive any emoluments from other sources during the tenure
• Age limit: As per UGC-NET / CSIR-NET age norms applicable for JRF candidates

Benefits

• JRF stipend of ₹37,000 per month for the first 2 years
• SRF stipend of ₹42,000 per month for the subsequent period of up to 3 years (upon satisfactory research progress)
• Contingency Grant — Humanities/Social Sciences/Commerce: ₹10,000/year (JRF) and ₹20,500/year (SRF)
• Contingency Grant — Science/Engineering/Technology: ₹12,000/year (JRF) and ₹25,000/year (SRF)
• Escort/Reader assistance allowance of ₹2,000 per month
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) at 9%, 18%, or 27% as per GoI norms for scholars not provided hostel accommodation
• Maximum fellowship tenure of 5 years or until Ph.D. thesis submission, whichever is earlier
• 200 fellowships awarded annually across India

Required documents

• Valid disability certificateIssued by the competent authority under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
• Unique Disability ID (UDID) or UDID enrolment proof
• UGC-NET / CSIR-NET scorecardMust have qualified JRF or NET as applicable
• M.Phil / Ph.D. admission letterRequired at the time of joining; provisional candidates must admit within 3 years of award
• Post-graduate degree certificate and marksheets
• Aadhaar card
• Bank passbook (Aadhaar-seeded)
• Photograph
• No Objection Certificate (NOC)(optional)Required if currently employed

Frequently asked