Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) 2026: 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships per year

At a glance

About the scheme

Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others) is a central sector scheme launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It aims at educational empowerment of OBC and EBC students by awarding fellowships for quality higher education and providing interest subsidies on educational loans for overseas studies. The scheme integrates the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes and the Dr Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies and is implemented by the University Grants Commission for the fellowship component and designated nodal banks for the interest subsidy component.

Benefits

• The scheme provides 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships per year for eligible OBC students.
• Out of the total 1,000 slots, 750 fellowship slots are allocated for subjects covered under the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship.
• The remaining 250 fellowship slots are allocated for subjects covered under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship for Science streams.
• These 1,000 fellowship slots are over and above the number of Other Backwards Classes students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for University Grants Commission fellowships.
• Rate of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC Fellowships: Fellowship in Science, Humanities and Social Science ₹ 31,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) and ₹ 35,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF); Fellowship in Engineering & Technology ₹ 31,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) and ₹ 35,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF).
• Contingency for Humanities & Social Science ₹ 10,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) and ₹ 20,500/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF).
• Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology ₹ 12,000/- PM for initial two years (JRF) and ₹ 25,000/- PM for remaining tenure (SRF).
• Escorts/Reader assistance (All Subjects) ₹ 2,000/- PM in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be on the UGC pattern and will be payable to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation.
• Other facilities, such as medical facilities, leave, including maternity leave, will be governed as per the guidelines of the UGC.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• The applicant must be a student belonging to the Other Backward Classes category.
• The applicant should have qualified the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship, as per the relevant examination notifications.
• The applicant should be eligible for the award of the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes and should secure placement in a University, Indian Institute of Technology, or recognised institution.
• The applicant should pursue a regular and full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme in a recognised University or research institution.
• The applicant should not be entitled to receive any other fellowship or similar financial benefit from the Central Government, State Government, University Grants Commission, or any other body offering similar benefits.
• The applicant should commence the fellowship from the date of declaration of the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes result or the date of joining the M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme, whichever is later, in applicable cases.
• The applicant should note that the validity period of the Junior Research Fellowship offer is 3 years from the date of issue of the award letter.
• The applicant’s fellowship tenure may be extended from Junior Research Fellow to Senior Research Fellow after 2 years, subject to satisfactory assessment of research progress as per University Grants Commission norms.
• The total period of fellowship as Junior Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow together should not exceed 5 years.
• 5% of the total fellowship seats are reserved for students with disabilities.

Who cannot apply

• Employees of any University/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government are excluded from availing the fellowship, even if they are on study leave of Extraordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D.

Documents required

• Aadhaar Card
• Other Backward Classes Caste Certificate
• University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship / Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship Qualification Proof
• Admission Proof for M.Phil or PhD Programme
• Bank Account Details
• Disability Certificate (If Applicable)

How to apply

1. 1Qualify for UGC-NET JRF or CSIR-UGC NET-JRF examination.
2. 2Enrol in a full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme in a UGC-recognised university or institution.
3. 3The University Grants Commission selects eligible candidates based on merit in the qualifying examination (conducted twice a year).
4. 4The concerned university/institution verifies the caste certificate and eligibility conditions of the selected candidate.
5. 5The fellowship amount is released by the University Grants Commission through Direct Benefit Transfer into the beneficiary’s bank account.
6. 6Continue the fellowship subject to satisfactory progress and compliance with UGC norms.

Frequently asked questions