National Fellowship For OBC Students

OBC candidates who qualify for the NFOBC award…

OBC candidates who qualify for the NFOBC award become eligible for the fellowship only once they secure placement in a University/IIT/Institution.

The offer stays valid for 3 years from…

The offer stays valid for 3 years from the date the JRF Award letter is issued. For candidates who have already begun their M.Phil./Ph.D., however, the fellowship's start date is either the date NFOBC results are declared or the date they joined the programme, whichever comes later.

Once an OBC candidate is deemed eligible for…

Once an OBC candidate is deemed eligible for this fellowship, they cannot simultaneously draw similar benefits from the Central or State Government, UGC, or any other body -- this prevents duplication and widens coverage. Only those pursuing a regular, full-time M.Phil./Ph.D. course at a University/Research Institution qualify for the fellowship.

If an awardee's research progress after two years…

If an awardee's research progress after two years is assessed as satisfactory, per UGC norms, their tenure is extended by a further three years as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF). Combined, the JRF and SRF period cannot run beyond 5 years in total.

When the UGC selects fellowship recipients, at least…

When the UGC selects fellowship recipients, at least 4% of total seats must be set aside for students with disabilities.

Anyone employed by a University, College, educational institution,…

Anyone employed by a University, College, educational institution, or the Central/State/UT Government is barred from the fellowship, even while on study leave or Extraordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D. Selection Procedure

Students are selected purely on merit in each…

Students are selected purely on merit in each UGC-NET-JRF and CSIR-NET-JRF exam, with selection rounds held twice yearly.

Candidates who already hold admission get preference; where…

Candidates who already hold admission get preference; where there aren't enough such candidates, those without admission are also picked in order of NET merit, drawing on a separate merit list if needed.

Selected candidates must enrol at universities/institutions/colleges recognised under

Selected candidates must enrol at universities/institutions/colleges recognised under:
Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 -- i.e., Universities set up under Central, Provincial, or State Acts, or any other UGC-recognised institution.
Grant-in-Aid Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act -- institutions notified by the Central Government as Deemed Universities in consultation with the UGC.
Universities/Institutions receiving State or Central Government funding.
Institutions of National Importance notified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development. (mhrd.gov.in/institutions-national-importance)
The UGC's decision on awarding the fellowship is final and cannot be appealed.

The scheme provides 1000 NFOBC slots per year…

The scheme provides 1000 NFOBC slots per year in total: 750 go to subjects covered by UGC's National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF), and the other 250 to candidates from the UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF joint test (Science streams).

These 1000 slots sit on top of the…

These 1000 slots sit on top of the OBC students who already gain seats under the Government's normal reservation policy. Duration of Fellowship - Name of the Course: M.Phil. Maximum Duration (Years): 2 Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2 Admissibility of SRF (Years): Nil Name of the Course: Ph.D. Maximum Duration (Years): 5 Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2 Admissibility of SRF (Years): Remaining 3 years Name of the Course: M.Phil. + Ph.D. Maximum Duration (Years): 5 Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2 Admissibility of SRF (Years): Remaining 3 years Rate of Fellowship - JRF and SRF fellowship rates match the UGC Fellowship rate (effective 01.01.2019). The current rates stand as follows: Fellowship in Science, Humanities, and Social Science @ ₹ 31,000/- p.m. for initial two years (JRF) @ ₹ 35,000/- pm. for remaining tenure (SRF) Fellowship in Engineering & Technology @ ₹ 31,000/- p.m. for initial two years (JRF) @ ₹ 35,000/- pm. for remaining tenure (SRF) Contingency for Humanities & Social Sciences @ ₹ 10,000/- p.a. for initial two years @ ₹ 20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenure Contingency for Sciences, Engineering & Technology @ ₹ 12,000/- p.a. for initial two years @ ₹ 25,000/- p.a. for remaining tenure Escorts/Reader assistance (All subjects) @ ₹ 2,000/- p.m. in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates House Rent Allowance HRA follows the UGC pattern and is paid only to students who aren't given hostel accommodation. Should a student turn down hostel accommodation offered by the University/institution, they forfeit their HRA claim; other entitlements such as medical facilities and leave (including maternity leave) continue to be governed by UGC's fellowship guidelines.

Aadhaar number

Aadhaar number

Caste certificate

Caste certificate

Certificate of the parent's annual income, issued by…

Certificate of the parent's annual income, issued by a competent authority

Passport-size photograph along with signature

Passport-size photograph along with signature

Master's degree mark sheet

Master's degree mark sheet

Declaration or certificate from the Head of Department/Institution,…

Declaration or certificate from the Head of Department/Institution, University, or College

Proof of physical disability, where applicable

Proof of physical disability, where applicable

Bank account details

Bank account details