National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2024 notification will be released every year in the month of September on its National Scholarship website, https://scholarships.gov.in/.
Eligible students who are belonging to ST community and interested in can check details and submit the Top Class Education Scholarship for ST Students online application with required information on or before the deadline.
Introduction: In the pursuit of a brighter future, education is the key that unlocks countless opportunities. However, many individuals, especially from marginalized communities, face financial barriers that hinder their educational aspirations.
Recognizing this, the Government of India has introduced various scholarship programs to empower students from Scheduled Tribes (ST) backgrounds.
This page delves into one such initiative, the “National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2024,” focusing on the Top Class Education Scholarship for ST Students.
National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2024
The National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
The scheme provides fellowships to Schedule Tribe (ST) students who are pursuing Ph.D./Integrated M.Phil.+Ph.D. programmes in Indian universities and institutions.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is inviting applications for the National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2024 from ST students pursuing professional courses at Graduate/PG level and M.Phil/ PhD level.
Under this scheme, ST students are given financial assistance so as to encourage them pursue higher education.
Top Class Education Scholarship for ST Students 2024 Details
| Name of the Scholarship Name | Top Class Education Scholarship for ST Students 2023 |
|---|---|
| Scholarship issuing Agency | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
| Title | Scholarships for Top Class Education for ST Students 2023 |
| Scholarship Level | National Level |
| Abbreviation | Top Class Education Scholarship for ST Students |
| Category | Scholarship |
| Scheme Closing Date | 31 October, 2023 |
| Official Website | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
| AICTE Website | http://www.aicte-india.org/ |
Fellowship:
- An applicant must have passed the post-graduation examination.
- An applicant must get admitted or registered for a regular full-time M.Phil/PhD programmes in institutions recognized by UGC under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act/ICAR.
- To qualify for the Senior Research Fellowship, the applicant must fulfil the prescribed UGC/ICAR norms.
Scholarship:
- The applicant must have taken admission in the institutions notified and identified by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- The annual family income of the student should not be more than INR 6 Lakhs.
Eligibility Criteria for the National Fellowship and Scholarship
- The applicant must belong to the Schedule Tribe (ST) category.
- The applicant must have passed the post-graduation examination with a minimum of 55% marks.
- The applicant must be admitted to a regular and full-time Ph.D./Integrated M.Phil.+Ph.D. programme in a university or institution under the following categories:
- Universities/Institutes/Colleges included under section 2(f) or 12(B) or 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act.
- Deemed to be Universities included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC.
- Universities/ Institutes/ Colleges funded by Central/ State Government
- Institutes of National Importance
- In the case of Ph.D. and Integrated (M.Phil.+ Ph.D.) programmes, the applicant should not have taken admission or joined before 1.4.2019.
Benefits
- The fellowship amount is Rs. 8000/- per month for Junior Research Fellows (JRFs) and Rs. 10000/- per month for Senior Research Fellows (SRFs).
- The fellowship also includes a contingency grant of Rs. 20000/- per annum for JRFs and Rs. 25000/- per annum for SRFs.
- The fellowship is awarded for a maximum period of five years for Ph.D. and six years for Integrated M.Phil.+Ph.D. programmes.
Top Class Education Scholarship to ST students Online Apply
To apply for the NFST, candidates must register on the National Tribal Fellowship Portal (https://fellowship.tribal.gov.in/). The online application process is usually open from January to February every year.
To apply for the National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2024 (NFST), you must follow these steps:
- Visit the National Tribal Fellowship Portal (https://fellowship.tribal.gov.in/ or https://scholarships.gov.in/) and register yourself.
- Once you are registered, log in to the portal and click on the “Apply Now” button.
- Fill up the online application form carefully and upload all the required documents.
- Review your application and submit it.
Required documents for online apply
The following documents are required to apply for the NFST:
- Profile photo
- Date of birth proof
- Post-graduation marksheet
- Conversion factor formulae certificate (if required)
- ST certificate
- PWD certificate (if required)
Top Class Education ST Scholarship Selection Process
The selection of candidates for the NFST is done by a Selection Committee constituted by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The selection is based on the following criteria:
- Academic merit
- Research proposal
- Interview performance
NFST Benefits
a. Fellowship:
- A total of 750 fellowships will be awarded.
- For M.Phil, the student will be awarded –
- A fellowship amount of INR 25,000 per month.
- A contingency amount of INR 10,000 per annum for Humanities & Social Sciences and INR 12,000 per annum for Science, Engineering Technology.
- HRA amount as per the rules of the corresponding institution.
- Escorts/reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month for physically handicapped and blind candidates.
- For Ph.D., the student will be awarded –
- A fellowship amount of INR 28,000 per month.
- A contingency amount of INR 20,500 per annum for Humanities & Social Sciences and INR 25,000 per annum for Science, Engineering Technology.
- HRA amount as per the rules of the corresponding institution.
- Escorts/reader assistance of INR 2,000 per month for physically handicapped and blind candidates
b. Scholarship:
- A total of 1000 scholarships will be awarded.
- Full tuition fee with a maximum ceiling of INR 2.5 Lakhs per annum will be covered under the scholarship.
- An amount of INR 3,000 per annum per student for books and stationery will be given.
- An amount of INR 2,200 per month with a maximum ceiling of INR 26,400 per annum will be given as living expenses.
- An amount of INR 45,000 will be given as one-time assistance for computers and accessories.
FAQs
Q: What is the maximum duration of the NFST fellowship?
A: The maximum duration of the NFST fellowship is five years for Ph.D. and six years for Integrated M.Phil.+Ph.D. programmes.
Q: Can I extend my NFST fellowship beyond the maximum duration?
A: Yes, the NFST fellowship can be extended beyond the maximum duration in exceptional cases, such as if the student is working on a long-term research project or if the student has faced health or other unforeseen challenges.
Q: What happens if I discontinue my Ph.D. programme before completing it?
A: If you discontinue your Ph.D. programme before completing it, you will need to return the NFST fellowship amount that you have received.
Q: Can I apply for the NFST if I am already receiving another scholarship?
A: Yes, you can apply for the NFST even if you are already receiving another scholarship. However, you will only be entitled to receive one scholarship at a time.
Q: How can I prepare for the NFST interview?
A: The best way to prepare for the NFST interview is to be well-versed in your research proposal and to be able to articulate your research interests and goals clearly. You should also be able to answer general questions about your Ph.D. programme and about the NFST scheme.
Q: Where can I get more information about the NFST?
A: You can get more information about the NFST by visiting the National Tribal Fellowship Portal (https://fellowship.tribal.gov.in/) or by contacting the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Conclusion
The National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students is a valuable scheme that provides financial assistance to ST students who are pursuing Ph.D./Integrated M.Phil.+Ph.D. programmes. The scheme aims to promote academic excellence and research among ST students.