UGC Scholarship – University Grants Commission (UGC), a renowned statutory body established under the Ministry of Human Resource Development by the government of India, offers a number of scholarships for the students across the nation to help them pursue their education at higher level. A UGC scholarship majorly focuses on providing financial aid for college and university level studies. Both meritorious and underserved students can avail these scholarships.
Which are the UGC scholarships that you must look for? When is the right time to apply for them? How and where can you apply for these scholarships? What kind of financial assistance will you get through these scholarships? All your questions related to UGC scholarship are addressed in this article. You will get an insight into the key UGC scholarships, their application timeline, eligibility criteria, application process, rewards and much more.
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Latest Update:
The application deadline for UGC scholarships 2022-23 on National Scholarship Portal is 31st October 2022. Apply now!
UGC Scholarship – The Complete List
The University Grants Commission offers both UGC scholarships and fellowships catering the needs of over 20,000 students every year. Whether you are pursuing your studies at graduation level, postgraduation level, doctorate level, or post-doctorate level, you can find a UGC scholarship for your studies. Which are those scholarships? How many students get benefitted through these scholarships? Find out all about them in the table given below. It contains a comprehensive list of all UGC scholarships and fellowships.
Detailed List of UGC Scholarships
| S.No. | Scholarship Name | Application Period* | No. of Scholarships |
| 1. | Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child | Between August and November | 3,000 |
| 2. | Post Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holder | Between August and November | 3,000 |
| 3. | Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates | Between August and November | 1,000 |
| 4. | Special Scholarship Scheme Ishan Uday for NER | Between August and November | 10,000 |
| 5. | Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences | NA | NA |
| 6. | Emeritus Fellowship | NA | 200 |
| 7. | Dr. S. Radharkrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences | NA | 200 |
| 8. | Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme | Runs throughout the year | NA |
| 9. | Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates | NA | 100 |
| 10. | Post-Doctoral Fellowship to SC/ST Candidates | NA | 100 |
| 11. | National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students | NA | 2,000 |
| 12. | National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students | NA | 750 |
| 13. | National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities | Between January and February | 200 |
| 14. | Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students | NA | 1,000 |
| 15. | National Fellowship for OBC Candidate | NA | 300 |
*The above-mentioned application period is tentative which may change on the discretion of the scholarship provider.
Also Read: Scholarships after 12th for College Students
UGC Scholarship – Eligibility
Each UGC scholarship has its defined set of eligibility criteria to be fulfilled by the students that majorly centres around the age of the students, educational qualification and the annual income of the family. Also, there are some category-specific scholarships too that are being offered by UGC for students belonging to SC, ST or OBC categories. What are the eligibility conditions for each scholarship that you need to fulfil? Know in detail in the table given below. Depending on the current class of study, students can select one of these scholarships and apply to stay advantaged.
Detailed Eligibility Conditions of UGC Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Category | Eligibility |
| Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child | Open for all | The scholarship is open for girl students only with the maximum age limit of 30 years.
The applicant should be the single girl child of the family. The applicant must have taken admission in the first year of a regular, full-time PG course at a recognised university or college. |
| Post Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holder | Open for all | The students who have completed their graduation in the following streams can apply –
Life Sciences Chemical Sciences Physical Sciences Mathematical Sciences Earth Sciences Social Sciences Languages Commerce The students must be the first or second rank holder at the undergraduate level and enrolled in a full-time, regular master’s degree program at a recognised university/college. The age of the applicant must not be more than 30 years at the time of admission in the PG course. The minimum percentage of marks to be obtained by the student in graduation is 60%. |
| Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates | SC/ST | The scholarship is open for students who are pursuing the first year of the professional course at the postgraduate level during the current year from a recognised university/institution/college.
The courses approved from leading regulatory bodies like MCI, NCTE, Bar Council of India, NCTIS, RCI, DCI, PCI, AICTE, Development Authority of India, Forensic Regulatory, INC and ICAR are considered as professional courses for which the scholarship is applicable. |
| Special Scholarship Scheme Ishan Uday for NER | For all | The scholarship is open for students having domicile of North Eastern Region (NER) state who have completed their class 12th or equivalent.
The student must have secured admission in a technical, professional or general degree course at a recognised institute/college/university. The annual income of the family should not exceed INR 4.5 Lakh. |
| Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences | For all | The scholarship is open for single girl child only.
The applicant must be pursuing a regular, full-time PhD programme in Social Sciences at a recognised Indian University/ Institution/ College. The maximum age limit for general category applicants is 40 years and 45 years for SC/ST/OBC and PwD. The students pursuing their PhD through distance education cannot apply for this scholarship. The scholarship is also open for transgender candidates. |
| Emeritus Fellowship | For all | The fellowship is open to highly qualified, superannuated and experienced teachers of recognised institutions/colleges/ universities.
The applicant must have contributed to his/her service career with quality research and published work. The fellowship allows the awardee to work with a well-defined time-bound action plan up to an age of 70 years. |
| Dr. S. Radharkrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences | For all | The fellowship is open for unemployed young researchers who are below 35 years of age before the deadline of the submission of online application. (Note: Relaxation of 5 years is available for SC, ST, OBC, PwD and Women candidates).
The minimum percentage of marks to be obtained by general category students at UG level is 55% marks and at PG level is 60% marks. (Note: For reserved categories including SC, ST, OBC and PwD, a relaxation of 5% is given). The fellowship is also open for transgender candidates. |
| Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme | For all | The fellowship is open for aspirants below 35 years of age who hold a PhD degree under science faculty. (Note: A relaxation of up to 3, 5 and 10 years will be given to SC, ST, OBC, Women and PwD candidates).
Teachers, who are working on a confirmed post and are below 35 years of age can also apply. The previous applicants of the fellowship can also apply if they were declared unsuccessful. |
| Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates | For all | The fellowship is applicable for women candidates only who are unemployed and hold a PhD degree.
The age of the applicant should not be more than 55 years (Note: A relaxation of 5 years in age is given to SC, ST, OBC, PwD candidates). The minimum percentage of marks obtained by general category applicants at UG level is 55% and at PG level is 60% (Note: A relaxation of 5% in the minimum percentage of marks is given to SC, ST, OBC, PwD candidates). Transgender candidates can also apply for this scheme. |
| Post-Doctoral Fellowship to SC/ST Candidates | SC/ST | The fellowship is open for unemployed candidates who have a PhD degree in the relevant subject.
The maximum age limit for male applicants is 50 years while for female applicants is 55 years. The applicants should have scored 50% marks at UG level and 55% marks at PG level. Transgender candidates can also apply. |
| National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students | SC | The students who have passed their postgraduation examination and have registered for an M.Phil./PhD course can apply for this fellowship.
The fellowship is open for transgender candidates. |
| National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students | ST | The students having a postgraduate degree are eligible for the fellowship.
The applicant must be registered in a full-time regular M.Phil./PhD course at a university/college/institution recognised by UGC. |
| National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities | For all | The fellowship is open for students with disabilities who have been enrolled in a PhD/MPhil programme at a University or academic institution. |
| Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students | Minority | The fellowship is applicable to students belonging to minority communities i.e. Muslims, Christians, Sikh, Buddhists, Parsi and Jain.
The student must be enrolled in a full-time and regular M.Phil./PhD programme. The annual income of the family should not be more than INR 2.5 Lakh from all sources. The minimum percentage of marks to be obtained by the candidates in postgraduation in 50%. The transgender applicants can also apply for the fellowship. |
| National Fellowship for OBC Candidate | OBC | The students who have passed their postgraduation and have registered for M.Phil./PhD courses can apply for the fellowship.
The annual income of the family should not be more than INR 6 Lakh from all sources. Transgender candidates can also apply for the fellowship. |
UGC Scholarship – Application Process
How and where can you apply for a UGC scholarship? Is the application process online or offline? Does UGC operate a separate portal for scholarship application? The answers to all these questions are covered in this section. Since it is a technology-driven world, the scholarship applications are invited online only. While the application for most of the scholarships is done through National Scholarship Portal, you can apply for the rest of the scholarships through the official website of UGC. The below-given table contains details about how and where can you apply for the UGC scholarship.
Detailed Application Process of UGC Scholarship
| S.No. | Scholarship Name | How to apply? |
| 1. | Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child | Apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). |
| 2. | Post Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holder | Apply online through the National Scholarship Portal. |
| 3. | Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates | Apply online through the National Scholarship Portal. |
| 4. | Special Scholarship Scheme Ishan Uday for NER | Apply online through the National Scholarship Portal. |
| 5. | Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 6. | Emeritus Fellowship | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 7. | Dr. S. Radharkrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 8. | Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme | Apply online through the official website of the fellowship. |
| 9. | Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 10. | Post-Doctoral Fellowship to SC/ST Candidates | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 11. | National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 12. | National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 13. | National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 14. | Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
| 15. | National Fellowship for OBC Candidate | Apply online through official website of UGC. |
Also Read: National Scholarship Portal – A Hub for Government Scholarships
UGC Scholarship – Rewards
What is the scholarship amount that a student receives through a UGC scholarship? This is a common question that may occur in your mind. Though the amount may vary from scholarship to scholarship, the students get the awards in the form of monetary benefits only. Find out what each UGC scholarship holds for you in the table below. It comprises detailed information about the awards that the students will receive through these scholarships and fellowships.
Detailed Rewards of UGC Scholarships
| Scholarship Name | Rewards |
| Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child | INR 36,200 per annum for a period of 2 years |
| Post Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holder | INR 3,100 per month for a period of 2 years |
| Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates | INR 7,800 per month for a period of 2 years for ME/MTech students.
INR 4,500 per month for a period of 2 years for other professional courses. |
| Special Scholarship Scheme Ishan Uday for NER | Students pursuing general degree courses will receive INR 5,400 per month.
Students pursuing technical/ professional/ medical courses will receive INR 7,800 per month. Note: The scholarship award is tenable for one year which can be renewed each year for the degree course subject to your good conduct and maintenance of prescribed attendance. |
| Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences | Fellowship of INR 25,000 per month for initial 2 years and INR 28,000 per month for remaining tenure.
A contingency grant of INR 10,000 per annum for initial 2 years and IR 20,500 per annum for remaining tenure. Escort and reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month (for persons with disabilities). |
| Emeritus Fellowship | An honorarium of INR 31,000 per month for 2 years.
A contingency of INR 50,000 per annum |
| Dr. S. Radharkrishnan Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities and Social Sciences | Fellowship of INR 38,800 for the first year, INR 40,300 for the second year and INR 41,900 for the third year.
A contingency of INR 50,000 per annum for 3 years. Escorts and readers assistance of INR 2,000 per month for PwD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates. |
| Dr. D. S. Kothari Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme | Normal Fellowship of INR 43,400, INR 45,000 and INR 46,500 for first, second and third year respectively.
Higher fellowship of INR 46,500 for the first, second and third year. Contingency grant of INR 1 Lakh per annum. |
| Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates | Fellowship of INR 38,800 per month for first 2 years and INR 46,500 per month after two years.
A contingency of INR 50,000 per annum for 5 years. Escorts and reader allowance of INR 2,000 per month (for PwD applicants). |
| Post-Doctoral Fellowship to SC/ST Candidates | Fellowship of INR 38,800 per month for first 2 years and INR 46,500 per month after two years.
A contingency of INR 50,000 per annum for 5 years. Escorts and reader allowance of INR 2,000 per month (for PwD applicants). |
| National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students | Fellowship in Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences include JRF of INR 25,000 per month for initial two years and SRF of INR 28,000 per month for remaining tenure.
Contingency for Humanities and Social Sciences is INR 10,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 20,500 per annum for remaining tenure. Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology is INR 12,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 25,000 per annum for remaining tenure. Escorts and reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month (for blind and physically handicapped students). |
| National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students | Fellowship in Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences include JRF of INR 25,000 per month for initial two years and SRF of INR 28,000 per month for remaining tenure.
Contingency for Humanities and Social Sciences is INR 10,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 20,500 per annum for remaining tenure. Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology is INR 12,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 25,000 per annum for remaining tenure. Escorts and reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month (for blind and physically handicapped students). |
| National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities | The fellowship amount includes –
Monthly stipend of INR 16,000 for initial 2 years and for remaining tenure INR 18,000 per month. Contingency allowance for Humanities, Commerce and Social Science is INR 10,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 20,500 for remaining tenure. Contingency allowance for Science and Engineering & technology is INR 12,000 and INR 25,000 for remaining tenure. Departmental assistance of INR 3,000 per annum HRA as per the rules of Institution/University Escorts/reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month (for blind and physically disabled candidates) |
| Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students | Fellowship of INR 25,000 per month (JRF) for initial two years and INR 28,000 per month (SRF) for remaining tenure.
Contingency for Humanities, Social Sciences and commerce is INR 10,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 20,500 per annum for remaining tenure. Contingency for Science is INR 12,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 25,000 per annum for remaining tenure. Escorts and reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month (for blind and physically handicapped students). |
| National Fellowship for OBC Candidate | Fellowship in Social Sciences, Humanities and Sciences include JRF of INR 25,000 per month for initial two years and SRF of INR 28,000 per month for remaining tenure.
Contingency for Humanities and Social Sciences is INR 10,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 20,500 per annum for remaining tenure. Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology is INR 12,000 per annum for initial 2 years and INR 25,000 per annum for remaining tenure. Escorts and reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month (for blind and physically handicapped students). |
UGC Scholarship – Results
Once the application process gets over for UGC scholarship and fellowship, the students become keen to know the results. The UGC follows a stringent scrutiny process to shortlist the scholars and fellows. While the scholarships are given to candidates who fulfil the specified eligibility conditions and are found genuine during verification, the fellowships are disbursed to students who get the recommendation from the Expert Committee set up by the UGC after an interview. All the results are declared on the official website of UGC. Thus, the students are advised to visit the official website for every significant update related to the scholarships and fellowships.
UGC Scholarship – Disbursement
How is the scholarship amount disbursed to students? How can the students receive the UGC scholarship? Is the scholarship amount given in hand or through some other mode? The answer to all your questions is Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Yes, the UGC disburses the amount of scholarship directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. Thus, it is mandatory for the applicants to have their own bank account at a nationalised bank at the time of applying for the scholarships or fellowships.
UGC Scholarship – Renewal
The duration of each scholarship varies depending on the course you are pursuing. UGC adopts a specified monitoring procedure for the continuation of UGC scholarship every year. The head of the department (HoD) under whom the candidate is studying is held responsible for the monitoring of his/her performance. The renewal of scholarship involves the student to submit a yearly progress report to their respective bank’s branch duly signed by the HoD and Registrar of the University or Principal of the College or Head of the Institution. If the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress during his/her study, the scholarship may get terminated or cancelled.