UGC Junior Research Fellowship 2026: ₹37,000 per month for 2 years

At a glance

About the scheme

The UGC Junior Research Fellowship scheme supports NET-JRF qualified candidates to undertake advanced research leading to M.Phil or Ph.D. degrees in Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages and Sciences. It provides a monthly fellowship, annual contingency grants, HRA as per GOI norms, medical leave, maternity/paternity leave, intermittent break for women, academic leave and a structured five‑year tenure with JRF for two years and SRF for three years.

Benefits

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹37,000 per month for 2 years
• Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹42,000 per month for remaining period (up to 3 years)
• Contingency A (Humanities & Social Sciences): ₹10,000 per annum for JRF, ₹20,500 per annum for SRF
• Contingency B (Science Scholars): ₹12,000 per annum for JRF, ₹25,000 per annum for SRF
• Housing Rent Allowance (HRA) as per Government of India city categorization; hostel accommodation rules apply
• Medical facilities: avail medical facilities at institution; no separate fixed medical assistance
• Leave: maximum 30 days per year plus public holidays
• Maternity/Paternity leave: as per Government of India norms at full fellowship rates once during tenure
• Intermittent break for women candidates: up to 1 year total, max three times, not counted toward tenure
• Academic leave without fellowship: up to one year, counted toward tenure
• Tenure: integrated five-year fellowship; JRF for 2 years, SRF for 3 years

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Must have qualified NET-JRF or UGC-CSIR Joint Test
• Must register for M.Phil/Ph.D. in a recognized University/Institution/College within two years from date of declaration of result, date of issue of award letter, or date of joining the fellowship

Documents required

• Aadhaar Number
• Duly Filled Application Form
• Score Card of NET-JRF or the UGC-CSIR Joint Test
• Proof of Address
• Proof of educational qualifications (mark sheets, certificates, diplomas, etc.)
• Physical disability certificate (if applicable)
• Bank Details
• Joining report
• HRA form
• UGC award letter
• Last qualifying degree certificate
• Half yearly progress report (after every six months)
• Three member Assessment committee report for upgradation from JRF to SRF
• Contingency and HRA form (signed personally by Academic office, deposited to Accounts section)

How to apply

1. 1Visit recognized university/institution/college during office hours and request hard copy of the application form.
2. 2Fill all mandatory fields, attach passport-sized photograph (signed if required) and self-attested copies of mandatory documents.
3. 3Submit the filled form with documents to the authority within the prescribed period.
4. 4Obtain a receipt/acknowledgement containing date, time and unique ID if any.
5. 5After receiving the award letter, verify documents at the department office and upload them to the UGC Canara bank portal.

Frequently asked questions