Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities (RGNF)

Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is the scheme is launched by the central government as a central sector scheme during the financial year 2012-2013 to increase the opportunities to students with disabilities for pursuing higher education leading to the degree such as M. Phil. and Ph.D. The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is implemented by the UGC itself on the pattern of the scheme of UGC fellowship being awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. And Ph.D. These fellowships will be available to students with disabilities who are covered under The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995

Benefits of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities:

  • Fellowship in Science Humanities and Social Science (including Arts/Fine Arts): Rs.16,000/- per month for initial two years (JRF) and Rs.18,000/- per month for remaining tenure (SRF)
  • Fellowship in Engineering and Technology: Rs.18,000/- per month for initial two years (JRF) and Rs.20,000/- per month for remaining tenure (SRF)
  • Contingency for Humanities and Social Science (including Arts/Fine Arts): Rs.10,000/- per month for initial two years and Rs.20,500/- per month for remaining tenure
  • Contingency for Science, Engineering & Technology: Rs.12,000/- per month for initial two years and Rs.25,000/- per month for remaining tenure
  • Departmental assistance (All subject): Rs.3,000/- per annum per student to the host institution for providing infrastructure
  • Escort/Reader assistance (All subject): Rs.2,000/- per month in cases of candidates with physical and visual disabilities
  • The house rent allowance (HRA) will be given and will be payable to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation
  • The other facilities such as medical facilities, leave including maternity leave etc.

Duration of Fellowships:

  1. M.Phil. : For JFR – 2 years and For SFR – Nil
  2. Ph.D.: For JFR – 2 years and For SFR – 3 years
  3. M.Phil. + Ph.D.: For JFR – 2 years and For SFR – 3 years

Eligibility for Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities:
For Junior Research Fellowship (JRF):

  1. Any student with disabilities who is already registered to M.Phil. /Ph.D. degree in a University or academic institution by completing the required formalities for admission in that University or academic institution is eligible for the award of fellowship subject to provision of the scheme as per the advertisement of UGC
  2. Only those doing regular and full-time M.Phil./Ph.D. course of a University/Research Institution will be eligible for the fellowship
  3. The students with disabilities once considered eligible for the fellowship will not be entitled to any other benefits from Central or State Government or any other body like UGC offering similar benefit
  4. Employees of any University/College/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government not eligible even if they are on study leave or EOL to pursue the M.Phil./Ph.D. course
  5. JRF may be terminated in case the progress of the candidate is not found satisfactory by the committee
  6. There is no restriction as regards to the minimum marks in the Post-Graduation examination

For Senior Research Fellowship (SRF):

  1. After two years in JFR, if the progress in the research work of the awardee is found satisfactory, his/her tenure will be extended for a further period of three years as senior research fellowship (SRF)
  2. The total period of award of JRF and SRF shall not exceed a period of five years

Procedure to apply for Fellowship:

  1. UGC notifies the scheme by inserting suitable advertisement in the press
  2. There is no restriction as regards to the minimum marks in the Post-Graduation examination
  3. It would be sufficient for a student with disabilities candidate to have passed the Post-Graduation examination for being eligible for the RGNF
  4. There is no restriction to the effect that a student with disabilities should have cleared NET/SLET examination for being eligible for receiving the RGNF
  5. After releasing advertisement in the press UGC will give one month’s time to the candidate for applying for the RGNF
  6. UGC will select the candidates for award of RGNF
  7. UGC will evolve a mechanism for identification of the beneficiaries linking with UID/Aadhar number and ensure on-line/electronic transfer of scholarships to students

Online application form is available at the following link:

  1. http://www.ugc.ac.in/rgnfd/close.aspx
  2. Note: As an advertisement about fellowship comes out it is just to fill and submit online application before the last date

Document required for the scheme:

  1. Identity proof (e.g. Aadhar card, Election card)
  2. Previous pass mark sheets
  3. Certificate that shows Disability of person
  4. Passport size photo
  5. Bank passbook, account number, account holder name, IFSC code, MICR code
  6. Residence proof e.g. electricity bill
  7. Aadhar card

References and Details:

  1. Official website: http://www.ugc.ac.in
  2. http://www.ugc.ac.in/rgnfd/#
  3. http://socialjustice.nic.in/pdf/newrgnfscheme.pdf

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