The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship helps SC/ST students pay for M.Phil and PhD studies. Students can apply online through the Scholarship Portal. This fellowship comes from two government ministries. It gives money to students from backward groups. They can use it for research in many subjects. Students must be in regular classes at good schools. The fellowship helps poor students keep studying. It also includes transgender students now. This is good for equality. The fellowship picks students based on how well they do. Money goes straight to their bank accounts. But it does not give extra money for health care.
| who can apply rules | SC\ST students |
|---|---|
| Benefits | The selected candidates will get a fellowship for the duration of 5 years |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | University Grant Commission |
| Name of Fellowship | Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship |
| Objective | To offer financial help to the students to continue their studies |
| Launched By | The Ministry Of Social Justice And Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
Key Points
- Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship 2026 is open for SC/ST students
- It’s for M.Phil/PhD courses in various fields
- 1333 seats for SC and 667 seats for ST students
- Transgender students can also apply
- Selection is based on merit
- Benefits are sent directly to bank accounts
- No extra medical help is provided
About Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs run this fellowship. It has 2000 seats for SC and ST students doing M.Phil/PhD. SC students get 1333 seats. ST students get 667 seats. Now transgender students can also apply. This fellowship gives money to help students study. It is for students from backward groups.
Goals of the Fellowship
The main aim is to help SC/ST students study without money worries. Many of these students are from poor families. They often have to stop studying because of money problems. The fellowship gives them money so they can keep learning. It also helps transgender students. These students often face neglect in society. The fellowship wants to support them too. This way, more students from different backgrounds can finish their studies.
Who Can Apply
- Must be an Indian citizen
- Should belong to SC or ST community
- Doing M.Phil/PhD from a recognized university
- Transgender students can apply too
- Selection based on merit
- Must apply when starting the course, not after 2 years
Benefits
- Fellowship for 2 years, can extend to 5 years
- Work checked after 2 years by a 3-member team
- Fellowship stops if student fails or does poor work
- No extra time given after 5 years
How to Apply Online
- Go to the official website
- Click on “Apply Now”
- Download and fill the form
- Enter personal details, education info, etc.
- Upload needed documents
- send the form
Documents Needed
- SC/ST caste certificate
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- PG marksheet
- Letter from department head about facilities
Contact Details
- Address: University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002
- Phone: 0120-6895200
Common Questions
How are students picked?
Students are picked for the program based on their good marks. The best students get chosen.
How is the money given?
The fellowship money goes straight to the student's bank account. This makes it easy for students to get their money. They don't have to wait or go to an office. The money comes right to them. This helps students focus on their studies. They don't need to worry about how to get their funds. It's a simple and quick way to give students their fellowship money. This system works well for many students. It saves time and effort for everyone involved.
Is there extra medical help?
No, the fellowship does not give extra medical benefits to students. It only provides money for school fees. Students get financial help through their bank accounts.