Sarkari Yojana
Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others)
About Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others)
Launched by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, the “Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others)” works toward the educational empowerment of OBC and EBC students, offering fellowships for quality higher education and interest subsidies on educational loans taken for study abroad. The University Grants Commission runs the fellowship component, while designated Nodal Banks handle the interest-subsidy component.
SHREYAS merges two earlier Central Sector schemes — the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes and the Dr Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies — and covers the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Scope of the Scheme: The scheme offers 1000 Junior Research Fellowships every year for advanced M.Phil./Ph.D. studies and research, open to candidates who have qualified in either of the following tests:
- The National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of the UGC, for Humanities/Social Sciences, or
- The UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF Joint Test, for Sciences.
All UGC-recognised universities/institutions are covered, with the UGC itself implementing the scheme on the same pattern as its regular M.Phil./Ph.D. fellowships. These 1000 slots come on top of the number of OBC students already selected under the Government’s normal reservation policy for UGC fellowships.
Scheme Overview
Central Government
Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment
Individual
Scheme Details
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others), applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
The applicant must belong to the Other Backward…
The applicant must belong to the Other Backward Classes category.
They must have qualified the University Grants Commission…
They must have qualified the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship, or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship, as per the relevant examination notification.
They must be eligible for the National Fellowship…
They must be eligible for the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes and secure placement at a University, Indian Institute of Technology, or recognised institution.
They must pursue a regular, full-time M.Phil
They must pursue a regular, full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme at a recognised University or research institution.
They must not be receiving any other fellowship…
They must not be receiving any other fellowship or comparable financial benefit from the Central Government, State Government, University Grants Commission, or any similar body.
Their fellowship must begin from the date the…
Their fellowship must begin from the date the National Fellowship for OBC result is declared, or the date they join the M.Phil./Ph.D. programme -- whichever is later, where applicable.
The Junior Research Fellowship offer remains valid for…
The Junior Research Fellowship offer remains valid for 3 years from the date of the award letter.
After 2 years, the fellowship may be extended…
After 2 years, the fellowship may be extended from Junior to Senior Research Fellow, subject to satisfactory research progress under University Grants Commission norms.
The combined Junior and Senior Research Fellow tenure…
The combined Junior and Senior Research Fellow tenure cannot exceed 5 years. Reservation and Relaxation: 5% of the total fellowship seats are reserved for students with disabilities.
Benefits Provided
Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others) provides the following benefits to eligible applicants:
The scheme funds 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships annually…
The scheme funds 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships annually for eligible OBC students, of which 750 slots go toward subjects covered by the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship.
The remaining 250 slots are for Science-stream subjects…
The remaining 250 slots are for Science-stream subjects covered under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship.
All 1,000 slots sit on top of the…
All 1,000 slots sit on top of the Other Backwards Classes students already selected under the Government's normal University Grants Commission fellowship reservation policy.
Rate of fellowship:
Junior Research Fellow (JRF)/Senior Research Fellow (SRF) rates match standard UGC Fellowship rates. Current rates are:
Fellowship in Science, Humanities and Social Science: ₹ 31,000/- PM for the initial two years (JRF), rising to ₹ 35,000/- PM for the remaining tenure (SRF).
Fellowship in Engineering & Technology: ₹ 31,000/- PM for the initial two years (JRF), rising to ₹ 35,000/- PM for the remaining tenure (SRF).
Contingency for Humanities & Social Science: ₹ 10,000/- PM for the initial two years (JRF), rising to ₹ 20,500/- PM for the remaining tenure (SRF).
Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology: ₹ 12,000/- PM for the initial two years (JRF), rising to ₹ 25,000/- PM for the remaining tenure (SRF).
Escorts/Reader assistance (All Subjects): ₹ 2,000/- PM for physically and visually handicapped candidates.
The House Rent Allowance (HRA) follows the UGC pattern and is paid to students not provided hostel accommodation; refusing hostel accommodation offered by the University/institution forfeits the HRA claim. Other facilities -- medical benefits, leave including maternity leave -- follow UGC fellowship guidelines.
Documents Required
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before starting the application:
A valid Aadhaar identity card
A valid Aadhaar identity card
A certificate establishing Other Backward Classes caste status
A certificate establishing Other Backward Classes caste status
Documentation proving qualification in the University Grants Commission…
Documentation proving qualification in the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship
Proof of admission to an M.Phil or PhD…
Proof of admission to an M.Phil or PhD programme
The applicant's bank account information
The applicant's bank account information
A disability certificate, where applicable
A disability certificate, where applicable
How to Apply
Offline Application
Applicants can apply for Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others) through the offline application process outlined below.
Applicants must have qualified the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship, or the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship.
Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an M.Phil. or PhD programme at a University or institution recognised by the University Grants Commission.
Eligible candidates are chosen by the University Grants Commission according to their merit in the qualifying exam.
The relevant University or institution checks the selected candidate's caste certificate and confirms they meet the eligibility criteria.
The University Grants Commission credits the fellowship amount directly to the beneficiary's bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer.
Continuation of the fellowship depends on satisfactory academic progress and adherence to University Grants Commission guidelines.
Selection Procedure for Fellowship for OBCs (JRF):
The scheme is implemented with UGC acting as…
The scheme is implemented with UGC acting as the nodal agency.
Students are awarded the NFOBC twice yearly, based…
Students are awarded the NFOBC twice yearly, based on their merit in each round of the UGC-NET-JRF and CSIR-NET-JRF examinations.
Qualified candidates must enrol at Universities, institutions, or…
Qualified candidates must enrol at Universities, institutions, or colleges recognised as follows:
Institutions covered under Section 2 (f) of…
Institutions covered under Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956 — Universities set up under Central, Provincial, or State Acts, or any other UGC-recognised institution — as well as those under Section 12 (B) of the UGC Act, 1956, i.e., Universities cleared to receive government grants.
Deemed Universities receiving Grant-in-Aid under Section 3 of the UGC Act, i.e., higher education institutions the Central Government has notified as deemed universities in consultation with UGC.
Universities or Institutions that receive State or Central Government funding.
Institutions of National Importance, as notified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The UGC's decision on granting the fellowship is…
The UGC's decision on granting the fellowship is final, with no provision for appeal.
Exclusions / Who Is Not Eligible
- The employees of any University/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government shall be excluded from availing the fellowship, even if they are on study leave of Extraordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D.
Official Application & Website
Verify the latest eligibility, dates and instructions before applying.