National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage)
UGC-linked research fellowship of ₹37,000/month (JRF) and ₹42,000/month (SRF) for OBC and minority researchers pursuing regular M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees.
Quick Eligibility Snapshot
₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown
📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach
Centrally sponsored fellowship scheme administered through UGC
Official Budget Document ↗Over 12,000 research scholars completed doctoral research across central universities
As of: 2026-01-20PIB / Official Citation ↗Verified Eligibility Criteria
Candidates belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) and minorities with family income up to ₹8 Lakh pursuing full-time Ph.D./M.Phil.
Required Documents Checklist
Verify readiness before applying for National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage). Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.
Mandatory Documents(3)
Check off as readyKeep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.
Worried About Application Rejection for National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage)?
Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.
- ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
- ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
- ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
- ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
🔒 Secure Razorpay Checkout • 100% Independent
Application Effort & Process Friction
Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.
Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.
How to Apply
- 1
Qualify UGC-NET or CSIR-NET and secure regular admission in M.Phil/Ph.D. program.
- 2
Apply online on the National Fellowship portal (ugcnetonline.in).
- 3
UGC generates national merit list based on NET scores.
- 4
Fellowship disbursed directly into scholar's bank account via Canara Bank DBT system.
✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist
⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These
Part-time or distance education research, gainful employment during research tenure, or family income exceeding ₹8 Lakh.
Official Government Application Portal
You will be redirected to the secure official portal: www.ugc.gov.in
Get Curated Scheme Alerts & Application Deadlines
Never miss an installment date, scholarship deadline, or new state subsidy. Voluntarily subscribe to receive verified government scheme updates directly on WhatsApp or Email.
Successfully Subscribed!
Your preferences are securely saved. You will receive verified alerts when application windows open. You can unsubscribe anytime.
💡 Need an immediate personalized document checklist & rejection audit for your profile?
Get Scheme Blueprint (₹49)→Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)
Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.
What is the fellowship amount?
₹37,000 per month for the first two years (JRF), and ₹42,000 per month for the next three years (SRF).
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Is HRA provided in addition to the fellowship?
Yes, House Rent Allowance (HRA) is paid at 9%, 18%, or 27% depending on the city classification of the university.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can an employed person draw this fellowship?
No, the scholar must be a full-time regular researcher and cannot be engaged in any gainful employment.
Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗Can I track my National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage) application status?
Application status for National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage) can typically be tracked through the official portal at www.ugc.gov.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).
What should I do if my National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage) payment is delayed or rejected?
First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.
Is there an income tax implication for receiving National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage) benefits?
Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.
Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings
Part-time or distance education research, gainful employment during research tenure, or family income exceeding ₹8 Lakh.
Editorial Verification & Change Log
| Date | Field | Description / Update | Source Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-19 | scheme_type | cs | Official Source ↗ |
| 2026-09-28 | initial_verification | Baseline verification of National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage) guidelines, benefits, and portal integration. | Official Source ↗ |
| 2026-09-28 | initial_verification | Baseline verification of National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOBC / JRF-SRF Linkage) guidelines, benefits, and portal integration. | Official Source ↗ |
⚖Compare with Similar Schemes
Side-by-side eligibility, benefit, and effort comparison:
Application Window & Deadlines
Admissions announced following each UGC-NET exam cycle
🛟Grievance & RTI Channels
Scheme Intelligence
How is this calculated? ↗Verified 7d ago from .gov.in source
Apply online with minimal documents
Related Welfare Programs
Skill certification and vocational training scheme under MSDE offering free industry-relevant job-role training, NSQF certification, and placement support.
National school nutrition programme providing free nutritious hot cooked meals to primary and upper-primary children in government and aided schools.
Centrally sponsored academic scholarship providing ₹3,500 to ₹7,000 annual financial support to Scheduled Caste students in Class IX and X.
📅Scheme Milestone Timeline
Baseline verification of National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOB...
Official Source ↗Baseline verification of National Fellowship for OBC and Minority Students (NFOB...
Official Source ↗Schemes You Can Stack With This
Complementary programs with non-conflicting eligibility that you can claim concurrently:
Official Helpline & Nodal Offices
University Grants Commission (UGC)
Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002
Helpline: 011-23604446
Jurisdiction: NationalNotice a Discrepancy?
Help keep civic data 100% accurate. We audit every report against primary gazettes.
Verification Metadata
Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-10-12 against official government documentation.
Eligo is an independent information platform unaffiliated with any government body. Always confirm latest terms directly on the official portal.