| Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) : Introduction
The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) Scheme for Scheduled Caste and
Scheduled Tribes is formulated and funded by Ministry of Social Justice &
Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The scheme is open to candidates who
belong to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe and wish to pursue higher
studies such as regular and full time M.Phil. and Ph.D degrees in Sciences,
Humanities, Social Sciences and Engineering & Technology. There are 1333
slots for Scheduled Caste and 667 slots for Scheduled Tribe candidates every
year for all the subjects.
Objective of the scheme
The scheme has been initiated keeping in view the social background of the
candidates for the deprived section of the society and to provide them
opportunity to undertake advanced studies and research. The objective of this
award is to provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students
belonging to SC/ST to pursue higher studies leading to M.Phil and Ph.D degrees
in Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences and Engineering & Technology.
Nature of assistance
The tenure of fellowship is initially for two years under the RGNF Scheme.
Before expiry of this period, the work of the Fellow will be evaluated by a
Committee of three members comprising of Head of the Department, Supervisor and
one outside subject expert to be constituted by the concerned Department of the
/University/Institution/College. If the research work is found satisfactory,
his/her tenure will be extended further for a period of three years under the
enhanced emoluments of the Rajiv Gandhi National Senior Research Fellowship (RGNSRF).
The recommendation of the Committee shall be submitted to the UGC for
upgradation to the level of RGNSRF. The work done and the time spent on
scholarships or fellowships of any agency other than the UGC will not be taken
into account while considering the proposals for enhancement in the value of
fellowship. The fellowship may be withdrawn if the work is not considered
satisfactory or the candidate fails in any of the examinations related to Ph.D.
In case the work for the first two years is not found satisfactory, an
additional year will be given to him/her for improvement. However, during this
period he/she will be designated as Rajiv Gandhi National Junior Research
Fellow. In such cases work will be evaluated again before third year of the
tenure, and if improvement is found, the Fellow will get two more years under
the RGNSRF. Thus, the total period of fellowship (RGNJRF and RGNSRF) is for five
years, with no further provision of extension.
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