National Fellowship for OBC Students 2026: ₹31,000-35,000 per month Fellowship, Eligibility & How to Apply
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Quick answer
The National Fellowship for OBC Students provides financial assistance to OBC candidates pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D. through a monthly fellowship of ₹31,000 for the first two years and ₹35,000 thereafter, plus contingency and HRA. Eligible students qualify via UGC-NET or CSIR-NET JRF and must enroll in a UGC-recognised institution. Applications are submitted online through the UGC e-SARTS portal following the seven-step process.
At a glance
| Main benefit | ₹31,000-35,000 per month fellowship |
| Ministry / department | Ministry of Education |
| Level | Central Government |
| Application mode | Online |
About the scheme
The National Fellowship for OBC Students (NFOS) is a central sector scheme launched by the University Grants Commission in 2014-15 to support Other Backward Class students undertaking M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes. It offers 1000 fellowships per year, over and above the regular reservation quota, with a monthly stipend that rises after two years, along with contingency grants, escort/reader assistance for disabled candidates and house rent allowance where hostel accommodation is not provided. Selection is based on merit in UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF examinations and the fellowship is administered entirely by the UGC through its online e-SARTS system.
Benefits
- 1000 fellowship slots per year (750 for UGC-NET-JRF, 250 for UGC-CSIR NET-JRF)
- Fellowship duration: up to 2 years for M.Phil., up to 5 years for Ph.D. (including 2 years JRF and up to 3 years SRF)
- Fellowship rate: ₹31,000 per month for initial two years (JRF) and ₹35,000 per month for remaining tenure (SRF)
- Contingency for Humanities & Social Sciences: ₹10,000 per annum for first two years, ₹20,500 per annum thereafter
- Contingency for Sciences, Engineering & Technology: ₹12,000 per annum for first two years, ₹25,000 per annum thereafter
- Escorts/Reader assistance: ₹2,000 per month for physically and visually handicapped candidates
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per UGC rules for students without hostel accommodation
Who can apply (eligibility)
- Must belong to Other Backward Class (OBC) category
- Must qualify UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF examination
- Must secure admission/placement in a UGC-recognised university, IIT or institution for regular full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D.
- Offer validity is three years from date of JRF award letter; if already enrolled, fellowship starts from later of result declaration or joining date
- Cannot receive any other similar fellowship/scholarship from Central/State Government or UGC to avoid duplication
- After two years, satisfactory research progress allows extension to Senior Research Fellow (SRF) for up to three more years, total award not exceeding five years
- At least 4% of slots reserved for students with disabilities
- Employees of any university/college/educational institution or Central/State/UT Government are ineligible, even on study leave or extraordinary leave
Who cannot apply
- Found ineligible at any point during fellowship
- Provided false/wrong/misleading information to obtain fellowship
- Received adverse report from the institution
- Engaged in misconduct, misbehavior or corrupt practices
- Demonstrated unsatisfactory progress in research work
- Violated any term or condition of the fellowship guidelines
- Involved in plagiarism or any unethical practice
- Already availing scholarship/fellowship from any other source
- Found employed during M.Phil./Ph.D. research
How to apply
- 1Visit the official UGC website at www.ugc.ac.in.
- 2On the homepage, click the “e-SARTS Scholarships-Fellowships” link.
- 3Select “National Fellowship for OBC Candidate” from the list.
- 4Click the “Apply Now” button at the top of the page.
- 5Fill in the application form with personal and academic details.
- 6Upload all required documents in the prescribed format.
- 7Submit the form before the deadline and keep a copy of the confirmation.
Frequently asked questions
How many fellowship slots are available each year under the NFOS scheme?+
The scheme provides 1000 slots per year, with 750 for UGC-NET-JRF and 250 for UGC-CSIR NET-JRF.
What is the monthly fellowship amount for JRF and SRF?+
₹31,000 per month for the first two years (JRF) and ₹35,000 per month for the remaining tenure (SRF).
What is the maximum duration of the fellowship for M.Phil. and Ph.D.?+
M.Phil. fellowship is up to 2 years; Ph.D. fellowship is up to 5 years (including 2 years JRF and up to 3 years SRF).
Who is eligible to apply for the National Fellowship for OBC Students?+
OBC candidates who qualify UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-UGC-NET-JRF and have secured admission in a UGC-recognised institution for regular full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D.
How can I apply for the fellowship?+
Apply online via the UGC e-SARTS portal by following the seven-step process: visit the UGC website, click e-SARTS, select the fellowship, click Apply Now, fill the form, upload documents, and submit.
Are employees of universities or government allowed to receive this fellowship?+
No, employees of any university, college, educational institution or Central/State/UT Government are excluded, even if on study leave or extraordinary leave.
Is there any reservation for persons with disabilities in this scheme?+
Yes, at least 4% of the total slots are reserved for students with disabilities.
NaukriZila is not a government website. Apply only on the official portal; never pay anyone to apply for a government scheme. Source: myScheme (Government of India)