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

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship, launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, offers financial assistance Read More... to students from minority communities for their M. Phil and Ph.D. studies. Read less

Details

Students from minority communities looking to pursue higher education in M. Phil and Ph.D. can find substantial support through the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF).

What Is This Scheme?

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students, started in 2009 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, is designed to help students from notified minority communities fund their postgraduate research, specifically M. Phil and Ph.D. degrees.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This fellowship is for students who belong to minority communities and are pursuing or wish to pursue M. Phil or Ph.D. degrees in recognized Indian universities and institutions.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The MANF scheme plays a crucial role in ensuring that students from minority backgrounds have equal opportunities for advanced academic pursuits. By providing financial aid, it aims to reduce financial barriers and encourage scholarly work among these communities, contributing to their overall development and representation in higher education and research.

Objective

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship, launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, offers financial assistance to students from minority communities for their M. Phil and Ph.D. studies.

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

Applicants must belong to one of the minority communities notified by the Central Government: Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, or Parsi (Zoroastrian).
Candidates need to have qualified the UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination.
Individuals who have previously completed their research under this fellowship are not eligible to reapply.
Those who have already received any fellowship, partially or fully, are also not eligible for this scheme.
Current employees of any university, college, educational institution, or government (central, state, or union territory) are not eligible, even if they are on study or leave.

How To Apply

The selection process is primarily based on merit obtained in the UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination. While the scheme doesn't explicitly detail a separate application form for the fellowship after clearing the exam, candidates are advised to check the official University Grants Commission (UGC) website for any specific application procedures or announcements related to the Maulana Azad National Fellowship.

Official Website for UGC NET: www.ugcnetonline.in

Documents Required

Awardees need to submit specific documents periodically to the designated bank branch of the UGC for fund release. The approving agency will verify the authenticity of these records.

Continuation Certificate: Submitted every three months in the prescribed format (Annexure-II) to continue receiving the fellowship.
Progress Report: A progress report in the UGC's prescribed format (Annexure-III) must be submitted and presented after completing one year of the fellowship.
Contingency Grant Account: An account of contingency grants must be submitted and presented in the UGC's prescribed format (Annexure-IV).
HRA Certificate: A House Rent Allowance (HRA) certificate in the prescribed format (Annexure-V) needs to be submitted.

Official Sources

For the prescribed proformas and detailed guidelines, please refer to the official UGC notifications and website.

FAQ’s

What are the fellowship amounts for Junior and Senior Research Fellows?

For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), the amount is ₹31,000 per month for the first two years. For Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), it's ₹35,000 per month for the remaining tenure. Contingency grants and reader assistance are also provided as per scheme guidelines.

Who is considered a minority student for this fellowship?

The fellowship is for students belonging to minority communities notified by the Central Government. These include Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, and Parsi (Zoroastrian) communities.

Is there an age limit to apply for the Maulana Azad National Fellowship?

The provided information does not specify an age limit for applicants.

Can I get this fellowship if I've already received another scholarship?

No, if you have already availed of any fellowship, whether partially or fully, you are not eligible to receive the Maulana Azad National Fellowship.

How long can someone receive the fellowship?

The fellowship duration is up to 5 years. For M. Phil, it's a maximum of 2 years or until dissertation submission. For Ph.D., it's 5 years or until thesis submission, divided into 2 years of JRF and 3 years of SRF. For combined M.Phil + Ph.D., it's also up to 5 years.

What are the institutions where I can pursue my M.Phil or Ph.D. under this fellowship?

The fellowship is applicable to all Universities and Institutions recognized by the UGC. This includes Central/State Universities (with NAAC accreditation), Deemed Universities (with NAAC accreditation), institutions fully funded by the government, and Institutions of National Importance.

What is the process for selecting candidates for the MANF?

Selection is done on a national level based on a candidate's pro-rata population within their community. The merit list is prepared from candidates who applied for JRF and qualified for Assistant Professor eligibility through the UGC-NET/Joint CSIR-UGC Test.

If I'm already employed, am I eligible for this fellowship?

No, individuals employed by universities, colleges, educational institutions, or any central, state, or union territory government are not eligible for this fellowship, even if they are on study leave.

Do I need to have my minority status declared when applying for UGC-NET?

Yes, it's crucial to declare your minority status correctly in the UGC-NET online application form. Any changes or corrections to community information are not entertained later.

Can I apply for this fellowship if I've already started my M.Phil or Ph.D. studies?

Yes, candidates who have already taken admission into M. Phil or Ph.D. programs are given precedence during the selection process.