Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship 2026: ₹28,000 Monthly Grant & Apply Online

At a glance

About the scheme

The Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences (SVSGCFRSS) is implemented by the University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Education. It aims to compensate for the direct costs of higher education for girl students who are the only child of their parents, thereby promoting the single girl child norm and small family values in society. Under this central scheme, scholars enrolled in regular, full-time Ph.D. programmes across recognised Indian institutions receive monthly stipends, contingency allowances, and accommodation benefits for a maximum period of five years.

Benefits

• Monthly fellowship of ₹25,000 for the initial two years.
• Monthly fellowship of ₹28,000 for the remaining tenure.
• Contingency grant of ₹10,000 per annum for the first two years.
• Contingency grant of ₹20,500 per annum for the remaining tenure.
• Escort or reader assistance of ₹2,000 per month for persons with benchmark disabilities (PWD).
• House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Government of India norms, or reimbursement of hostel fees (excluding mess, electricity, and water charges).
• Fellowship support for up to five years or until thesis submission, whichever is earlier.
• Leave of up to 30 days per year, plus maternity leave at full fellowship rates once during the tenure.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Must be a single girl child of her parents without any brother or sister (twin or fraternal daughters are also eligible).
• Must be registered in a regular, full-time Ph.D. programme in Social Sciences in a recognised Indian university, college, or institute.
• The institution must be covered under Section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act 1956, be a UGC grant-aided deemed university, a government-funded institution, or an Institute of National Importance.
• Maximum age limit is 40 years for the general category as on the last date of online application submission.
• Maximum age limit is 45 years for SC, ST, OBC, and PWD categories as on the application deadline.
• Transgender candidates fulfilling the scheme criteria are also eligible to apply.

Who cannot apply

• Admission to Ph.D. courses through distance education mode is not covered.
• Girl children from families having one son and one daughter are not eligible.
• Candidates drawing any other fellowship, stipend, salary, or paid appointment during the tenure cannot avail this award without surrendering the other benefit.

Documents required

• Aadhaar Card
• Proof of identity
• Proof of age (Birth Certificate or Class 10th marksheet)
• Bank account details
• Proof of admission or registration in a full-time Ph.D. in Social Sciences
• Passport size photograph
• Affidavit of ₹50 stamp paper proving single girl child status, duly attested by an SDM, First Class Magistrate, or Gazetted Officer not below the rank of Tahsildar (Annexure I)
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Disability certificate (if applicable)
• Transgender ID card (if applicable)

How to apply

1. 1Check the official notification released on the UGC website (https://www.ugc.gov.in/) and national newspapers.
2. 2Visit the designated UGC online fellowship application portal.
3. 3Register by providing basic personal and academic details.
4. 4Fill in the complete application form with details of your Ph.D. admission and institution.
5. 5Upload the required documents, including the attested single girl child affidavit on ₹50 stamp paper.
6. 6Review all entered details carefully and submit the application online before the deadline.

Frequently asked questions