National Fellowship for OBC (NF-OBC) Students

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – The Government of India launched the Central Sector Scheme (CSS) called National Fellowship (NF) during the financial year 2014-15 in order to increase availability of opportunities for the students from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for pursuing higher education leading to acquisition of degrees such as M.Phil. and PhD. This was intended at enabling them to become eligible for employment to the posts of lecturers lying vacant in various colleges and universities. The National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) scheme was launched to equip them effectively and take due advantage of the growing opportunities at the national and international level in the context of the new economic order.

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Objective

The National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) aims at providing financial assistance to OBC students in obtaining quality higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil and PhD in universities, research institutions and scientific institutions.

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Scope

The scope of the National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) scheme was initially designed to provide a total number of 300 Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) per year from the year 2014-15 onwards and 300 Senior Research Fellowships 9SRF) from 2016-17 to Other Backward Class (OBC) students. The number of JRFs has been subsequently increased from 300 to 1000 per annum to meet the increasing demand. It covers all universities/institutions recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is also implemented by the UGC itself on the pattern of UGC Fellowships scheme that is being awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. and PhD. The students selected for this fellowship are eligible to win up to ₹35,000 per month with additional benefits.

Initially, financial assistance was provided for 300 Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and 300 Senior Research Fellowships. The fellowship covers all universities and institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is implemented by the UGC itself, following a similar structure to the UGC Fellowships awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. and PhD. The 1,000 slots allocated under the fellowship are in addition to the number of OBC students selected through the government’s normal reservation policy for UGC fellowships.

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Key Highlights

Particulars	Details
Name of Fellowship	National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC)
Provider	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Implementing Agency	University Grants Commission (UGC)
Eligibility	OBC students pursuing regular, full-time M.Phil/PhD programs
Award	A monthly fellowship up to ₹35,000 with additional benefits
Application Mode	Online

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for the National Fellowship for OBC Students are as under:

This is open to students from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories.
The applicants must have qualified in one of the following national examinations:
- NET-JRF: National Eligibility Test (NET) – Junior Research Fellowship conducted by the UGC for Humanities/Social Sciences
- UGC-CSIR NET-JRF: Joint Test conducted by the UGC and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for Sciences
The students must have secured admission into a university, IIT, or other eligible institutions.
They must be pursuing regular, full-time M.Phil. or PhD programs.
They must not have received any other fellowship or funding from other sources.

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Award Details

The rate of fellowships offered under the National Fellowship for OBC Students is equivalent to the UGC fellowships, effective from January 1, 2019.

Particulars	Amount
Fellowship in Science, Humanities and Social Science	₹31,000 per month for the initial two years (JRF) ₹35,000 per month for the remaining tenure (SRF)
Fellowship in Engineering and Technology
Contingency for Humanities and Social Sciences	₹10,000 per annum for the initial two years and ₹20,500 per annum for the remaining tenure
Contingency for Sciences, Engineering and Technology	₹12,000 per annum for the initial two years and ₹25,000 per annum for the remaining tenure
Escorts/Reader Assistance (All Subjects)	₹2,000 per month, in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates

Additional Benefits

According to UGC guidelines, House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be given to those students who have not been provided with the hostel accommodation by their university/institution. However, if a student declines an offered accommodation, their HRA will be forfeited.
Medical facilities and leave, including maternity leave, will be governed by the UGC’s guidelines for the fellowship programs.

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Selection

The candidates for the fellowship are selected on the basis of merit in each UGC-NET-JRF and CSIR-NET-JRF examination. It is conducted twice every year. The students who have successfully qualified in these examinations will be automatically considered for the fellowship and they will be shortlisted on the basis of merit.

(Note: The applicants are advised to visit the official website of the University Grants Commission to keep themselves updated on any news regarding the fellowship application process.)

Also Read: Government Scholarships for College Students in India

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Required Documents

Caste certificate
Disability certificate (if required)
Marksheets and certificate of the previous qualifying examination
NET or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF scorecard
Declaration/Certificate from Head of Department/Institution or University/College
Bank account details
Parent’s annual income certificate issued by the competent authority

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National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Selection Criteria

The awards selection will be based on the merit of candidates in the UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-NET-JRF examinations.

The successful candidates must register themselves in universities or institutions recognised by the UGC under the following:

Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956: This encompasses universities established under central, provincial, or state acts and institutions recognised by the UGC.
Section 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956: This incorporates universities considered eligible to receive government grants.
Section 3 of the UGC Act (Grant-in-Aid Deemed Universities): This pertains to higher education institutions notified by the Central Government, in consultation with the UGC, to be deemed universities.
State/Central Government-funded Universities/Institutions.
Institutions of National Importance

The decision of the University Grant Commission on the fellowship awards is final.

National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – Terms and Conditions

The fellowship offer is valid for three years from the date of issuing the JRF award letter.
After two years of satisfactory research progress, the fellowship may be extended for an additional three years as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF).
4% of the total available fellowship seats are reserved for students with disabilities.
For candidates already enrolled in M.Phil. for PhD programs, the fellowship will commence from the date of result declaration or from the date they join the program, whichever is later.
The employees of universities, educational institutions, or Central/States/UT administration are ineligible for the fellowship programme.
A fellow is allowed to transfer their research program from one place to another only once during the entire fellowship tenure. This transfer must be initiated by the concerned university or institution through the designated web portal using the appropriate link.
The concerned university or institution must verify the genuineness of the OBC certificate submitted by the awardee before updating their details on the web portal. They should also ensure that the awardee is not receiving any other fellowship project from another organisation at the time of selection.
The fellowship may be cancelled if any of the following conditions are met:
- The scholar is found to be ineligible to receive the fellowship at any point during its duration.
- The fellowship has been claimed or availed by providing false, wrong, or misleading information.
- An adverse report is received from the institution.
- Indulging in misconduct, misbehaviour, or corrupt practices.
- Unsatisfactory progress in research work.
- Violation of the terms and conditions outlined in these guidelines.
- Plagiarism or unethical practices in any form.
- The candidate is already receiving a scholarship or fellowship from another source.
- The candidate is found to be employed during their M.Phil./PhD research.

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National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) – FAQs

When was the National Fellowship for OBC Students launched?

The National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC) was launched as a Central Sector Scheme in the financial year 2014-15.

Who is the provider and implementing agency of the National Fellowship for OBC Students?

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the provider and the University Grants Commission (UGC) is the implementing agency.

Will the selected candidate be eligible for any other benefits from the Central or State Governments?

No, OBC students who qualify for this fellowship will not be eligible for any other similar benefits from the Central or State Governments or any other body like the UGC. This is to prevent duplication and increase the count of beneficiaries.

What is the tenure for the National Fellowship for OBC Students?

The fellowship is initially provided for two years, and extendable up to an additional three years, subject to satisfactory performance in research work and assessment by the UGC.

Who is eligible for the National Fellowship for OBC Students?

The fellowship is open to students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. Applicants must have qualified in either the UGC NET-JRF for Humanities/Social Sciences or the UGC-CSIR NET-JRF for Sciences. Additionally, they must be pursuing full-time M.Phil. or PhD programs at a recognized university, IIT, or eligible institution and should not be receiving any other fellowship or funding.

What is the amount of fellowship provided to OBC students in Science, Humanities, and Social Sciences?

The OBC students in Science, Humanities, and Social Sciences receive ₹31,000 per month for the first two years as Junior Research Fellows (JRF). If promoted to Senior Research Fellows (SRF), the amount increases to ₹35,000 per month for the remaining tenure.

What are the additional benefits available under the National Fellowship for OBC Students?

In addition to monthly fellowship, students are eligible for House Rent Allowance (HRA) if hostel accommodation is not provided by their institution. Additionally, they receive contingency grants, medical facilities, leave benefits (including maternity leave), and ₹2,000 per month as reader/escort assistance for physically or visually handicapped candidates.

What documents are required to apply for the National Fellowship for OBC Students?

The applicants need to submit the following documents:

Caste certificate
Disability certificate (if applicable)
Marksheets and certificates of the previous qualifying examination
NET or UGC-CSIR NET-JRF scorecard
Declaration or certificate from the Head of Department/Institution
Bank account details
Parent’s annual income certificate issued by a competent authority.

What are the grounds for cancellation of the fellowship?

The fellowship can be cancelled if:

The scholar is found ineligible or has provided false information.
There is an adverse report from the institution.
The scholar engages in misconduct, unsatisfactory research progress, or unethical practices.
The scholar is found to be receiving another fellowship or employed during their M.Phil./PhD research.