Post Doctoral Fellowship to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Candidates
Category: Education & Learning
Level: Central | State: All
Ministry: Ministry of Education

Details:
This scheme has been initiated keeping in view the social background of the candidates from the deprived section of society and to provide them an opportunity to undertake advanced studies and research in Science, Engineering &amp; Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges.
Objective:	 
The objective of the scheme is to provide an opportunity to SC/ST candidates to undertake postdoctoral research in Sciences, Engineering &amp; Technology, Humanities and Social Sciences at Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges as indicated below:

  - Universities/Institutions/Colleges included under Section 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/Institutions/Colleges funded by Central/State Government.
  - Institutes of National Importance.

Benefits:
The financial assistance available under the scheme is as follows:
Sl. No.
Item
Rate of Fellowship (Pre-revised)
Rate of Fellowship (Revised w. e. f. 01.12.2014)
1
Fellowship	
@ ₹16,000/- per month
@ ₹38,800/- per month for first 2 years & ₹46,500/- per month from third years onwards.
2
Contingency
@₹30,000/- per annum
@₹50,000/- per annum
3
Departmental Assistance
10% of the Post Doctoral Fellowship to the host Institution
Not applicable
4
Escorts/Reader/Assistance
@ ₹2,000/- per month (fixed) in cases of physically disabled & blind Candidate.
@ ₹2,000/- per month (fixed) in cases of physically disabled & blind Candidate.
5
HRA
As per University /Institution rules.
As per University /Institution rules.
House Rent Allowance:
Suitable single-seated hostel accommodation may be provided to the candidates in the institutions. In such cases, the fellow is eligible to draw only hostel fees excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. A certificate to this effect is to be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal. HRA is not permissible for those candidates who are staying in Hostel accommodation.
In case of non-availability of hostel accommodation, the fellow may be provided with single accommodation by the host institution. In such cases, the rent paid by the fellow on an actual basis may be reimbursed subject to the ceiling of HRA as per Govt. of India norms.
If the fellow makes her own arrangements of accommodation, he/she may be entitled to draw HRA as per the categorization of cities by the Govt. of India. 
Medical:
No separate/fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the Post-Doctoral Fellow may avail of the medical facilities available in the University/Institution/College.
Leave:
Leave for a maximum period of 30 days in a year in addition to public holidays may be taken by the Post-Doctoral Fellow with the approval of the Head of the Department. However, they are not entitled to any other vacations, such as summer, winter, and pooja vacations.
Candidates are eligible for maternity/ paternity leave at full rates of the fellowship as per Government of India rules once during the tenure of the award.
Academic leave:
 The fellow may be allowed to avail academic leave without fellowship and contingency for a period not exceeding one year during the tenure of the award for academic/teaching assignment/ foreign visit in connection with research work. The expenditure on travel cannot be claimed from UGC. The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure.
Note:
 All kinds of leaves shall be approved by the University/Institute/College.
Duration of Fellowship:
The tenure of the award is five years with no provision for further extension.

Eligibility Criteria:
Target Group: Unemployed candidates from the deprived section of the society with Ph.D. Degree awarded and aptitude for research.

   1. The candidate must have a doctorate degree in the relevant subject preferably with published research work to their credit. (Provisional degree certificate may be accepted if degree is not awarded)
   1. The candidates should belong to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe category.
   1. Only Ph.D. awarded unemployed candidates will be eligible for the award of Post Doctoral Fellowship.
   1. The upper age limit for male applicants is 50 years as of the last date of receipt of online applications and 55 years in the case of female candidates.
   1. The candidates of SC/ST categories having 50% marks at the UG level and 55% marks at the PG level are eligible to apply under the Scheme.
   1. The candidate must upload the No Objection Certificate from the proposed research place duly forwarded by the Head of Department and Registrar/Director/Principal in the online application.
   1. Transgender candidates are eligible to apply under the scheme. The reservation shall be followed as per government of India norms.

**Note:** There shall be reservations for SC/ST/Persons with disability candidates as per provision of the Constitution and instructions issued by the Govt. of India from time to time.