Rs 16 Cr in Fellowships for Tribal Students Pursuing Higher Studies

New Delhi, Aug 7 (UNI) The Government has provided for some Rs 16 Crore in fellowships to tribal scholars pursuing higher studies during the current financial year, it was announced here today.

An official spokesperson said the Ministry of Tribal Affairs had provided Rs 15.90 crore as fellowship to more than 600 tribal students during 2006-07 for taking up higher studies.

The fellowship -- provided under the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme -- is for pursuing higher studies such as M Phil and Ph D at universities and institutions recognised by the University Grants Commission, the spokesperson added.

Each year more than 600 students are provided the fellowship for a maximum duration of five years. The scheme -- implemented through UGC on behalf of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs -- provides financial assistance of Rs 8,000 per month for the initial two years to Junior Research Fellow and Rs 9,000 per month for the remaining period of the fellowship.

This fellowship amount apart, Contingency Fund for Humanities and Social Sciences is also provided at the rate of Rs 10,000 per annum for the initial two years of the fellowship and Rs 20,500 per annum for the remaining period of the research work.

In the case of Sciences, the Contingency Fund provided is for Rs 12,000 per annum for the initial two years and Rs 25,000 per annum for the remaining tenure of the fellowship.

Besides, the Government also provides assistance to the host institution for providing infrastructure. The amount of the Departmental Assistance is Rs 3,000 per annum per student.

An additional assistance of Rs 1,000 per month is provided for escorts or reader assistance in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates.

UNI