Central Sector Scheme of National Fellowship for Providing Fellowship to Scheduled Caste Students to Pursue M.Phil. & PhD 2026

This initiative supports rural families in building toilets to end open defecation and improve overall sanitation, particularly Read More... for those in need. Read less

Details

Launched in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen (Phase I) was a significant step by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, to transform rural India's sanitation landscape. The mission focused on making rural areas free from open defecation by encouraging toilet construction and fostering a nationwide shift towards better hygiene practices.

What Is This Scheme?

Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen aimed to achieve a cleaner India by providing financial aid and raising awareness for the construction and use of toilets in rural households. It was designed to reach out to the most vulnerable sections of society, ensuring everyone had access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

The primary beneficiaries were individuals and families living in rural areas who did not have access to a toilet at home. The scheme especially prioritized the poor, underprivileged, and marginalized communities across the country.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This mission was crucial for improving public health, reducing the spread of diseases, and enhancing the dignity and safety of women and girls in rural India. By promoting the construction and regular use of toilets, it sought to instill a sense of cleanliness and responsibility towards sanitation across the nation.

Objective

This initiative supports rural families in building toilets to end open defecation and improve overall sanitation, particularly for those in need.

Benefits

Number of Slots

The scheme provides for 2000 new Fellowships (1500 Junior Research Fellows for Humanities/ Social Sciences and 500 Junior Research Fellows for Science stream) per year.

These slots are over and above the number of SC students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for UGC Fellowships.

Validity

The fellowship shall be paid from the date of issue of the JRF award letter under the Scheme for National Fellowship or the date of joining the M.Phil./Ph.D., whichever is later.

The fellowship shall be granted upto the date of submission of the Ph.D. thesis or five years of tenure, whichever is earlier. No extension is permissible beyond the total period of five years of fellowship.

Confirmation for continuation of the fellowship shall be given by the University twice a year on a semester basis within the 10th of the initial month of the semester. Based on this certification, the research scholars would be released the fellowship within the 15th of every month without any further intervention of the university.

With regard to the combined course of M.Phil and PhD, Fellowship will be provided initially for 02 years for M.Phil and after upgradation to Ph.D course, for another 03 years.

In case of integrated Ph.D. or M.Phil. to Ph.D., the maximum tenure is 5 years including the M.Phil. period of fellowship. For doing M.Phil., fellowship shall be granted for two years or upto the date of submission of the M.Phil. dissertation, whichever is earlier.

Duration of the Fellowship

Name of the Course: M.Phil; Maximum Duration: 2 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: NIL

Name of the Course: PhD; Maximum Duration: 5 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: Remaining 3 Years

Name of the Course: M.Phil + PhD; Maximum Duration: 5 Years; Admissibility for JRF: 2 Years; Admissibility for SRF: Remaining 3 Years

Rate of FellowshipHead:Fellowship in All StreamsRate Applicable for JRF:Rs. 31,000/- p.m. for initial two yearsRate Applicable for SRF:Rs.35,000/-p.m. for remaining tenureHead:Contingency for Humanities & Social SciencesRate Applicable for JRF:Rs.10,000/- p.a. for initial two yearsRate Applicable for SRF:Rs.20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenureHead:Contingency for SciencesRate Applicable for JRF:Rs. 12,000/- p.a. for initial two yearsRate Applicable for SRF:Rs.25,000/-p.a. for remaining tenure.Head:Escort/ Reader Assistance (All Subjects) for Physically and Visually Handicapped CandidatesRate Applicable for JRF: Rs.2,000/-p.m.Rate Applicable for SRF:Rs.2,000/-p.m.Head:House Rent Allowance (HRA)Rate Applicable:8%, 16% and 24% to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation, in accordance with Govt. of India norms as applicable in the city/location where the research fellows are working.Mode of DisbursalThe disbursal of the fellowship will be directly into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked Bank Account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must belong to a rural household that did not have a functional toilet before the scheme started.
Priority is given to families who are poor, underprivileged, or belong to marginalized groups.
Preference is also given to households headed by women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, or those from weaker economic backgrounds.

How To Apply

Interested individuals should contact their local Gram Panchayat for details and application procedures.
Submit the required documents as per the guidelines.
Once approved, construct the toilet according to the specified standards.
The constructed toilet will be verified, often through geo-tagging.
Upon successful verification, the financial assistance will be disbursed.

For more information or to start the process, you can visit the official website or contact your local government representative.

Documents Required

Aadhaar Card for identity verification.
Bank Passbook to facilitate subsidy transfer.
A photograph of the constructed toilet is needed for verification and to enable geo-tagging.
Any other documents that may be specified by the implementing authority.

FAQ’s

What was the main goal of the Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen Phase I?

The primary objective of this phase was to make rural India free from open defecation by promoting the construction and use of toilets.

Can someone who already has a toilet apply for this scheme?

No, the scheme's financial assistance is intended for households that did not have a functional toilet facility before the mission began.

What kind of toilet technology did the scheme encourage?

The scheme actively promoted twin-pit pour-flush toilets, recognizing them as a cost-effective and sustainable sanitation solution.

How long is a twin-pit toilet typically functional?

Each pit in a twin-pit system is generally designed to last for approximately three years, depending on the intensity of its use.

What is the IMIS system mentioned in relation to this scheme?

IMIS, or Integrated Management Information System, was used to track the progress of toilet construction and verify beneficiaries in real-time.

Who is generally eligible to receive benefits under this mission?

Eligibility is for rural households that previously lacked toilets, with a focus on those who are poor, underprivileged, or from marginalized sections of society.

How can I apply for the toilet construction assistance?

You would typically approach your local Gram Panchayat, provide the necessary documents for verification, and then proceed with constructing the toilet to receive the financial aid.

What is the process for verifying the toilet construction?

Verification often involves checking the constructed toilet, which might include geo-tagging to confirm its existence and location.