Junior Research Fellowship In Sciences, Humanities, And Social Sciences 2026

This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help SC Read More... students and children from specific occupational backgrounds continue their education. Read less

Details

Many students from Scheduled Castes and families engaged in difficult jobs face financial hurdles in continuing their education. The Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Scheduled Castes & Others aims to bridge this gap by providing much-needed financial support.

What Is This Scheme?

This government program offers financial assistance to parents of students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and other disadvantaged communities. The goal is to ensure these children can complete their education up to Class X, reduce school dropouts, and improve their academic journey.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The scheme has two main components. One is for Scheduled Caste students studying in Classes IX and X. The other component supports children of parents/guardians involved in specific occupations like manual scavenging, tanning, waste picking, and hazardous cleaning, for students studying in Classes I to X. Essentially, it's for students from vulnerable backgrounds who need help to stay in school.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By providing scholarships, the scheme helps make education more accessible for underprivileged students. It encourages them to study, perform better, and move on to higher education, ultimately breaking cycles of disadvantage.

Objective

This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to help SC students and children from specific occupational backgrounds continue their education.

Benefits

Fellowship Amount:Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹37,000 per month for 2 yearsSenior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹42,000 per month for the remaining periodContingency A (for Humanities & Social Sciences):₹10,000 per annum for JRF₹20,500 per annum for SRFContingency B (for Science Scholars):₹12,000 per annum for JRF₹25,000 per annum for SRFHousing Rent Allowance (HRA)(HRA is provided as per the categorization of cities by the Government of India.)Hostel Accommodation:

If suitable single-seated hostel accommodation is provided by the institution, the fellow is eligible to receive only hostel fees (excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc.).

A certificate confirming this must be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal.

HRA is not permissible for fellows staying in hostel accommodation.

Alternative Accommodation:

If hostel accommodation is not available, the fellow may be provided with single accommodation by the host institution.

In such cases, rent paid by the fellow may be reimbursed on an actual basis, subject to the HRA ceiling set by the Government of India.

Self-Arranged Accommodation:

If the fellow arranges her own accommodation, she is entitled to HRA as per the Government of India's city categorization norms.

Medical Facilities

No separate or fixed medical assistance is provided under the fellowship.

However, the fellow may avail of the medical facilities available at the institution, university, or college.

Leave PolicyGeneral Leave:

Fellows are entitled to a maximum of 30 days of leave per year, in addition to public holidays.

They are not entitled to any additional vacations.

Maternity/Paternity Leave:

Maternity/Paternity leave is granted as per Government of India norms, at full fellowship rates, once during the tenure of the fellowship.

Intermittent Break (For Women Candidates Only):

Women candidates may avail an intermittent break of up to one year (maximum three times during the fellowship).

The total break period must not exceed one year.

This period will not be counted toward the tenure of the fellowship, ensuring that the fellowship duration remains the same.

Academic Leave:

Academic leave without fellowship is permissible for one year during the fellowship tenure.

This leave can be availed for academic assignments, teaching, or foreign visits related to research work.

The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure.

Expenditure for foreign visits related to research work cannot be claimed from UGC.

Tenure of Fellowship:These are integrated five-year fellowships for M.Phil. and Ph.D. subject academic criteria in force for selection of Ph.D. program. The duration of the fellowship is as under:M.Phil. + Ph.D.Maximum duration (Years): 5Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2Admissibility of SRF (Years): 3Ph.D.Maximum duration (Years): 5Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2Admissibility of SRF (Years): 3

Sources and references

Guidelines (Plan XII)

Who Can Apply?

Candidates must be Indian nationals.
For Component 1 (SC Students):
- Students must be studying in Class IX or X on a full-time basis.
- Students must belong to a Scheduled Caste.
- The annual income of the parents/guardians should not exceed ₹2.50 lakh.
For Component 2 (Children of Parents/Guardians in Unclean/Hazardous Occupations):
- Students must be studying in Classes I to X on a full-time basis.
- This scholarship is for children/wards of parents/guardians who are engaged in any of the following, regardless of their caste or religion:
  - Manual Scavengers
  - Tanners & Flayers
  - Waste pickers
  - Individuals involved in hazardous cleaning work
- There is no family income limit for this component.
A student can receive only one scholarship at a time for Classes I to X. If another scholarship is received, the awarding body must be informed.

How To Apply

Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Register yourself on the portal.
Log in using your generated credentials.
Fill out the application form completely and submit it.

National Scholarship Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in/

Documents Required

Recent Photograph
Academic Certificates (previous exam marksheets)
Caste Certificate (if applicable)
Income Proof Certificate
Domicile Certificate
Bank Account Details (linked with Aadhaar)
Aadhaar Card

FAQ’s

What is the main goal of this scholarship program?

The primary aim is to offer financial support to students from Scheduled Castes and families involved in specific challenging occupations. This helps them continue their education up to Class X and reduces the chances of them dropping out of school.

Can a student apply for this scholarship if they are already receiving another scholarship?

No, a student can only avail one scholarship at a time for classes I to X. You need to inform the awarding body if you receive any other scholarship.

What is the income limit for the scholarship for SC students?

For Scheduled Caste students applying under Component 1, the annual income of their parents or guardians should not exceed ₹2.50 lakh.

Are there any specific occupations that qualify for Component 2 of the scholarship?

Yes, Component 2 is for children whose parents/guardians are involved in manual scavenging, tanning and flaying, waste picking, or hazardous cleaning work.

How much financial aid is given to students under this scheme?

Day scholars receive ₹3,500 annually. Hostellers get ₹7,000 per year under Component 1, and ₹8,000 per year under Component 2 (for Classes III-X).

What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) URL?

You can visit the official National Scholarship Portal at https://scholarships.gov.in/ to apply.

Is there an income ceiling for the scholarship for children of parents in hazardous occupations?

No, there is no family income ceiling for students applying under Component 2 of the scheme.

What is the process to apply for the Pre-Matric Scholarship?

First, you need to register yourself on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). After successful registration, log in with your credentials and then proceed to fill out and submit the application form.

Besides academic documents, what other papers are usually needed?

You will generally need your Aadhaar Card, proof of caste (if applicable), income certificate, domicile certificate, and your bank account details. Make sure your mobile number is linked with Aadhaar, and your bank account is seeded with Aadhaar.

Do disabled students get any extra help?

Yes, students with disabilities (Divyang) receive an additional allowance of 10% on top of the regular scholarship amount.