Star College Scheme For Strengthening Of Science Education And Training At Undergraduate Level 2026

This fellowship from the Ministry of Minority Affairs provides financial aid to students from minority communities pursuing Read More... M.Phil and PhD degrees. Read less

Details

Are you a student from a minority community aiming for higher studies like M.Phil or PhD? The Maulana Azad National Fellowship For Minority Students could be your helping hand. Launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, this scheme is designed to ease the financial burden of pursuing advanced education.

What Is This Scheme?

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship For Minority Students aims to offer financial support for five years to students from minority communities notified by the Central Government. This assistance is specifically for those looking to complete their M. Phil and PhD degrees.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

Students belonging to minority communities like Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, or Zoroastrian (Parsi) are eligible if they have qualified for M. Phil or PhD programs in recognized institutions.

Why This Scheme Is Important

By providing financial aid, the scheme encourages students from minority backgrounds to pursue higher education without worrying about costs. This helps in their academic growth and contributes to building a more skilled workforce from these communities.

Objective

This fellowship from the Ministry of Minority Affairs provides financial aid to students from minority communities pursuing M.Phil and PhD degrees.

Benefits

Nature of Financial Assistance

One-time non-recurring grant of ₹10,00,000 per science department, recurring grant of ₹3,00,000 per science department per year for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory annual review, and ₹1,00,000, ₹2,00,000 and ₹3,00,000 subject to their departments for mentoring and monitoring per college and ₹1,00,000 per year under contingency head will be provided.

The scheme encourages the purchase of multiple copies of routine equipment required for science practicals in UG courses within a ceiling of ₹1,00,000. For the purchase of equipment costing more than one lakh and up to three lakhs, prior approval of DBT is required.

For Students

Student training via the introduction of practicals, prescribed in the curriculum.

Introduction of conceptual clarity via engaging students in minor projects, either singly or in groups of students not exceeding 4 in number.

Inclusion of techniques for 'hands-on' training to strengthen concepts taught otherwise via theoretical approach.

Summer training preferably via engaging students in research projects.

Visits to neighboring industries, research institutions, or places of academic value.

Use of IT in classroom, laboratory, and library activities.

Organizing lectures by eminent scientists, and career counseling lectures specifically for creating awareness among students about their future career options in science.

Any other relevant additional information.

For Faculty

Faculty improvement program.

Participation in summer courses for skill upgradation to be able to train students.

Curriculum change to ensure more, 'hands-on' laboratory work.

Greater emphasis on communicating research and research process to students.

Introduce an internal review process by students regarding the implementation of various

activities under the Star College Scheme.

Feedback from students regarding the competence of faculty, adequacy of teaching/laboratory environment, and additional needs, if any.

Expected OutcomesAnnual Outcomes1. Increase in the number of practicals being conducted individually by the students.2. Introduction of “hands-on training” to enhance conceptual clarity for topics taught previously by theoretical approach.3. Engaging students in minor research projects.4. Faculty development programs and laboratory staff training programs.5. Involvement of students in scientific writing and journal club activities.Consolidated outcome after the sanctioned tenure (3 years)1. Increase in the admission cut-off percentage and decrease in the dropout rates of students.2. Increase in the faculty generated resources viz extramural research grants from other funding agencies to strengthen the Star College Scheme efforts.3. Number of colleges or schools mentored from underprivileged areas.4. Number of colleges mentored to write grants for Star Scheme support and their outcome.5. SOPs developed, lab manuals created and uploaded on the website, or submitted to DBT.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must belong to one of the notified minority communities: Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, or Zoroastrian (Parsi).
You need to have qualified the UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination.
If you have previously availed any fellowship, either fully or partially, you are not eligible for this scheme.
Individuals employed by universities, colleges, educational institutions, or any Central, State, or Union Territory government are ineligible, even if they are on study leave for M.Phil. or Ph.D.
If you don't complete your research within the fellowship period, you won't be eligible to apply again under this scheme.

How To Apply

The selection process is based on the UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination. While the input JSON does not detail a direct application form submission for the fellowship itself, here’s what you need to know:

Qualify the UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET exam.
During the exam application, ensure you correctly declare your minority status.
Award letters for qualified candidates are uploaded on the UGC website. You can download them from there.
Selected fellows will receive fellowship amounts via the designated branch of the UGC designated Bank.

Important: The UGC uploads award letters on its website: www.ugcnetonline.in.

Documents Required

Once you are awarded the fellowship, you will need to submit several documents to the UGC designated Bank at regular intervals to continue receiving the funds. The approved agency will verify these records.

Continuation Certificate: Submit this every three months in the prescribed proforma (Annexure-II) to continue receiving the fellowship.
Progress Report: After one year of receiving the fellowship, submit a progress report in the UGC's prescribed proforma (Annexure-III).
Contingency Grant Accounts: Submit accounts for contingency grants in the UGC's prescribed proforma (Annexure-IV).
HRA Certificate: Submit your House Rent Allowance (HRA) certificate in the prescribed proforma (Annexure-V).

FAQ’s

What's the duration of this fellowship?

For M.Phil, the fellowship can be availed for a maximum of 2 years or until your dissertation is submitted, whichever comes first. For PhD, it's a maximum of 5 years or until your thesis is submitted, whichever is earlier. This includes 2 years for JRF and 3 years for SRF. If you're doing M.Phil + PhD combined, the total duration is also a maximum of 5 years or until PhD thesis submission, whichever is earlier, with 2 years for JRF and 3 years for SRF.

Can I get this fellowship if I've already started my M.Phil/Ph.D.?

Yes, candidates who have already joined an M.Phil/Ph.D. program are given preference during the selection process.

What is the fellowship amount?

The fellowship is ₹31,000/- per month for the initial two years (JRF) and ₹35,000/- per month for the remaining tenure (SRF). Additionally, you receive HRA and a contingency grant as per the scheme's guidelines.

Who is eligible to apply for the MANF scheme?

To apply, you must belong to one of the minority communities listed under Section 2(c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. These communities are Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, and Zoroastrian (Parsi).

Do I have to take the UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test to get this fellowship?

Absolutely yes. This fellowship is awarded only based on your performance in the UGC-NET or the Joint CSIR-UGC Test. You should apply for both JRF and the eligibility for Assistant Professor.

Can I apply for the MANF fellowship if I didn't mention my minority status when I applied for UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test?

The MANF results are based on the information you provide in your online application for the UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test. It's crucial to fill this form accurately, as no changes to your category, community, or other important details will be accepted later.

How are candidates selected for this fellowship?

Selection is done at the national level based on the pro-rata population of each minority community. The merit list is prepared from candidates who applied for JRF and also qualified for Assistant Professor eligibility.

Where can I find my Award Letter if I qualify?

Once you qualify, the University Grants Commission (UGC) will upload your Award Letter on its official website, www.ugcnetonline.in. You can download it from there.

What is the time limit to use the MANF award after qualifying the UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test?

If you had already secured admission into M.Phil/Ph.D. when you applied for the UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test, your award letter is valid for three months from the issue date. For others, you need to join an M.Phil/Ph.D. program within three years from the award letter's date.

Is it possible to receive more than one fellowship at a time?

No, a scholar is eligible to receive only one fellowship at any given time.