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UGC Scholarship 2020 – Eligibility, Apply Online, Rewards, Application Process

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The MHRD or Ministry of Human Resources Development owned UGC committee offers plenty of lucrative and beneficial scholarships for students to help them pursue higher education. The main focus of UGC scholarship is to enable college and university going students with financial aid so that they receive a financial grant to continue higher studies without any disturbances in their education. Meritorious and underprivileged students of society can make the best use of these scholarships.

This article gives complete information regarding UGC Scholarship 2020, including scholarship list, eligibility criteria, detailed step by step application process, documents required, rewards and benefits, disbursement of scholarships, renewal process, frequently asked questions, and important contact details are explained below.

UGC Scholarship 2020 – Overview

Provided byUniversity Grants Commission
Scholarship NameUGC Scholarship
Eligible StandardsBased on the age group, the educational qualification of the candidate, and annual family income.
Official Websitewww.ugc.ac.in
Helpdesk No.1800113355

List of UGC Scholarship

UGC offers scholarships and fellowships for students pursuing graduate studies, postgraduate studies, doctoral studies, and post-doctoral studies. The detailed list of these scholarships is given below:

  • Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
  • Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holder
  • Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates
  • Ishan Uday for North Eastern Region
  • Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences
  • Emeritus scholarship 
  • Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship In Humanities And Social Sciences
  • Dr. D. S. Kothari post-doctoral fellowship scheme
  • Post-Doctoral fellowship to women candidates
  • Post-Doctoral fellowship to SC/ST candidates
  • National fellowship for SC students 
  • National fellowship for ST students to pursue higher education 
  • National fellowship for persons with disabilities 
  • Maulana Azad national fellowship for minority students 
  • National fellowship for OBC students 

UGC Scholarship – Eligibility Criteria

Based on the age group, educational qualification of the candidate, and annual family income, every scholarship has its own set of eligibility criteria specified in the table below:

Name of scholarshipDetailed eligibility criteria
Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
  •  Open for all category girl students 
  • Maximum applicant age – 30 years
  • Applicable only for single girl child of the family
  • Candidate must be pursuing first-year regular PG course at a regular university 
Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holder
  • Candidates from following graduation streams are eligible to apply:
    • Life sciences/ chemical sciences/ physical sciences
    • Earth sciences
    • Mathematical sciences
    • Social sciences
    • Commerce or language courses
  • All category students can apply
  • Student must have scored 1st or 2nd rank at the UG course level.
  • Must be pursuing regular, full-time PG course at regular college/ university recognized by govt of India
  • Age limit – 30 years at the time of course admission 
  • Minimum graduation score to be 60%
Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates
  • Candidates pursuing technical courses at PG level can apply
  • Only for SC/ST candidates 
  • Recognized bodies under which college of study should be affiliated are indicated below:
    • MCI/ NCTE/ Bar council of India
    • AICTE/ development authority of India/ NCTIS
    • DCI/PCI/RCI
    • Forensic regulatory
    • INC/ ICAR 
Ishan Uday for North Eastern Region
  • For all category students 
  • Domicile of the candidate must be the northeastern region of India 
  • Candidate must have completed class 12th 
  • Candidate must be selected/pursuing a course in a technical stream/ professional stream/ regular courses.
  • Annual family income to be less than 4.5 lakhs. 
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences
  • Open to all category students 
  • Single girl child of a family can apply
  • Only regular and full-time PG course applicants in social sciences may apply
  • Age limit for general category students – 40 years 
  • Age limit for SC/ST/OBC?PWD candidates – 45 years 
  • Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply
  • Distance and open university courses not permitted 
Emeritus scholarship
  • Open for all categories.
  • Faculties who are highly qualified, experienced and superannuated may apply
  • Quality research work with credible publications in the course of the faculty’s career is a must.
  • Fellowship includes a well-defined work structure for the selected faculty till he attains the age of 70 years 
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship In Humanities And Social Sciences
  • This scholarship is open to all categories. 
  • Unemployed candidates who have been researching in pure sciences and are below the age of 35 years can apply.
  • Age relaxation of 5 years applicable in case of SC/ST/OBC and PWD candidates.
  • Candidate needs to score a minimum of 55% marks at the UG level. 
  • Candidate needs to score a minimum of 60% at his PG level.
  • 5% relaxation in standard prescribed % in case of SC/ST/OBC and PWD candidates.
  • Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply.
Dr. D. S. Kothari postdoctoral fellowship scheme
  • Open for all categories.
  • Science faculty members who are also Ph.D. holders under the age of 35 years can apply. 
  • Age relaxation of 5 years applicable in case of SC/ST/OBC and PWD candidates.
  • Teachers holding permanent positions and under the age of 35 years can apply.
  • Previously unsuccessful fellowship applicants can freshly apply in the current tenure for this scholarship. 
Post-Doctoral fellowship to women candidates
  • Open for all categories of students.
  • Unemployed women candidates who are Ph.D. holders and less than 55 years eligible to apply.
  • Age relaxation of 5 years applicable in case of SC/ST/OBC and PWD candidates.
  • Candidate needs to score a minimum of 55% marks at the UG level. 
  • Candidate needs to score a minimum of 60% at his PG level.
  • 5% relaxation in standard prescribed % in case of SC/ST/OBC and PWD candidates.
  • Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply.
Post-Doctoral fellowship to SC/ST candidates
  • Unemployed candidates who are Ph.D. holders and less than 55 years eligible to apply.
  • Age limit for male candidates – 50 years.
  • Age limit for female candidates – 55 years 
  • Candidate needs to score a minimum of 55% marks at the UG level. 
  • Candidate needs to score a minimum of 60% at his PG level.
  • Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply.
National fellowship for SC students
  • Candidates who have cleared their PG exams and further applied for Mphil/Ph.D. courses are eligible to apply.
  • Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply.
National fellowship for ST students to pursue higher education
  • Candidates in possession of a PG degree are eligible to apply.
  • Candidates who have enrolled in regular Mphil/Ph.D. courses are eligible to apply.
National fellowship for persons with disabilities
  • Candidates who have enrolled in regular Mphil/Ph.D. courses are eligible to apply.
  • Only persons with disabilities may apply.
Maulana Azad national fellowship for minority students
  • Applicable only to minority students belonging to Muslim, Christianity, Sikh, Jains, Buddhists, Parsi communities.
  • Candidates who have enrolled in regular Mphil/Ph.D. courses are eligible to apply.
  • Annual family income to be less than 2.5 lakhs.
  • Candidate needs to score a minimum of 50% at his PG level.
  • Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply.
National fellowship for OBC students
  • Candidates who have enrolled in regular Mphil/Ph.D. courses are eligible to apply.
  • Annual family income to be less than six lakhs.
  • Transgender candidates are encouraged to apply.

UGC Scholarship Application Process

All applications for the UGC scholarship are in the ONLINE mode only. Some of these scholarships need to be applied through the National Scholarship Portal and a few others through the online UGC scholarship portal. These details are tabulated below:

Name of scholarshipApplication to be applied through which portal
Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl ChildThrough the National Scholarship Portal
Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank HolderThrough the National Scholarship Portal
Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST CandidatesThrough the National Scholarship Portal
Ishan Uday for North Eastern RegionThrough the National Scholarship Portal
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social SciencesThrough the National Scholarship Portal
Emeritus scholarshipThrough UGC official website
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship In Humanities And Social SciencesThrough UGC official website
Dr. D. S. Kothari postdoctoral fellowship schemeThrough UGC official website
Post-Doctoral fellowship to women candidatesThrough UGC official website
Post-Doctoral fellowship to SC/ST candidatesThrough UGC official website
National fellowship for SC studentsThrough UGC official website
National fellowship for ST students to pursue higher educationThrough UGC official website
National fellowship for persons with disabilitiesThrough UGC official website
Maulana Azad national fellowship for minority studentsThrough UGC official website
National fellowship for OBC studentsThrough UGC official website

UGC Scholarship – Guidelines to Apply for Online Application 

  • Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal or UGC portal.
  • Locate the new user registration and click on it.
  • Fill up all essential details in the registration form. 
  • Candidates should cross-check and submit the registration form.
  • Upon successful submission, candidates will receive a user ID and password. 
  • This id and password should be used by the candidate to log into the website in the future.
  • Preferably change your password after the first login.
  • Go to the application dashboard section.
  • Select the type of scholarship you wish to apply for.
  • Enter all particulars asked in the application form.
  • Upload all necessary documents required for supporting your application.
  • Cross check and make sure your application is free of any errors.
  • Submit the application. 

Documents Required For UGC Scholarship 

All candidates have to support their application form with relevant and necessary documents failing which the candidate’s application shall be deemed to be rejected. In this regard, the necessary list of documents to be scanned and uploaded in the portal in the specified size and specification are:

  • Caste certificate ( wherever applicable)
  • Minority certificate ( wherever applicable)
  • Income certificate of parents ( wherever applicable)
  • UG/PG mark sheets ( as and when relevant)
  • Bonafide certificate from the head of an educational institution
  • Physical disability certificate ( wherever applicable)
  • Aadhaar card
  • The first page of bank passbook
  • Domicile certificate
  • Official ID proof
  • Birth certificate
  • 10th and 12th-grade mark sheets.

UGC Scholarship – Rewards

The UGC scholarship enables students to achieve meritorious track records in the field of research and development through its various schemes. Some of the prominent and featured rewards offered through these schemes are tabulated below:

Name of scholarshipRewards offered
Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
  • INR 36,200 every year [for 2 years]
Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holder
  • INR 3100 every month [for 2 years]
Post Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates
  • For ME/MTech students – INR 7800 every month [for 2 years]
  • For other professional degrees – INR 4500 every month [for 2 years]
Ishan Uday for North Eastern Region
  • For general degree courses – INR 5400 every month [ for one year and can be renewed further] 
  • For technical/professional/medical courses – INR 7800 every month [for one year and can be renewed further] 
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences
  • INR 25,000 every month [ for first 2 years]
  • INR 28000 [for the remaining period of study]

Contingency grant amount:

  • INR 10,000 every year [ for first 2 years]
  • INR 20500 [for the remaining period of study]

For persons with disabilities:

  • Additional INR 2000 every month [ escort and reader assistance] 
Emeritus scholarship
  • INR 31,000 every month [for first 2 years]
  • INR 50,000 per annum [contingency grant] 
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship In Humanities And Social Sciences
  • INR 38,300 [first year]
  • INR 40,300 [second year] 
  • INR 41,900 [third year] 

Contingency grant:

  • INR 50,000 every year for 3 years

For persons with disabilities:

  • Additional INR 2000 every month [ escort and reader assistance] 
Dr. D. S. Kothari postdoctoral fellowship scheme
  • INR 43,000 [first year]
  • INR 45,000 [second year] 
  • INR 46,500 [third year] 
  • INR 46,500 [higher fellowship amount for 1st, 2nd and 3rd years]
  • Contingency grant – 1 lakhs every year. 
Post-Doctoral fellowship to women candidates
  • INR 38,800 every month [for first 2 years]
  • INR 46,500 per month [after two years] 
  • Contingency grant – INR 50,000 for 5 years

For persons with disabilities:

  • Additional INR 2000 every month [escort and reader assistance] 
Post-Doctoral fellowship to SC/ST candidates
  • INR 38,800 every month [for first 2 years]
  • INR 46,500 per month [after two years] 
  • Contingency grant – INR 50,000 for 5 years

For persons with disabilities:

  • Additional INR 2000 every month [escort and reader assistance] 
National fellowship for SC students
  • Junior research fellowship of INR 25,000 every month [for two years] and Senior research fellowship of INR 28,000 every month for the remaining period of the fellowship. 
  • Contingency grant [ for social sciences / humanities stream] – INR 10,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 20,500 per annum [ for remaining period] 
  • Contingency grant [ for sciences/ engineering & technology streams] – INR 12,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 25,000 per annum [ for remaining tenure] 
  • Special assistance for blind and physically handicapped students – INR 2000 per month [ escort and reader assistance] 
National fellowship for ST students to pursue higher education
  • Junior research fellowship of INR 25,000 every month [for two years] and Senior research fellowship of INR 28,000 every month for the remaining period of the fellowship. 
  • Contingency grant [ for social sciences / humanities stream] – INR 10,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 20,500 per annum [ for remaining period] 
  • Contingency grant [ for sciences/ engineering & technology streams] – INR 12,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 25,000 per annum [ for remaining tenure] 
  • Special assistance for blind and physically handicapped students – INR 2000 per month [ escort and reader assistance]
National fellowship for persons with disabilitiesFellowship amount is inclusive of:

  • Monthly stipend – INR 16,000 [ for years] and INR 18,000 [ for remaining period] 
  • Contingency grant [ for social sciences / commerce and humanities stream] – INR 10,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 20,500 per annum [ for remaining period] 
  • Contingency grant [ for sciences/ engineering & technology streams] – INR 12,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 25,000 per annum [ for remaining tenure] 
  • Departmental allowance – INR 3000 per annum 
  • House rent allowance [ as per current rules] 
  • Special assistance for blind and physically disabled students – INR 2000 per month [ escort and reader assistance]
Maulana Azad national fellowship for minority students
  • Junior research fellowship of INR 25,000 every month [for two years] and Senior research fellowship of INR 28,000 every month for the remaining period of the fellowship. 
  • Contingency grant [ for social sciences / humanities stream] – INR 10,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 20,500 per annum [ for remaining period] 
  • Contingency grant [ for sciences/ engineering & technology streams] – INR 12,000 per annum [for 2 years] and INR 25,000 per annum [ for remaining tenure] 
  • Special assistance for blind and physically handicapped students – INR 2000 per month [ escort and reader assistance]
National fellowship for OBC students
  • Junior research fellowship of INR 25,000 every month [for two years] and Senior research fellowship of INR 28,000 every month for the remaining period of the fellowship. 
  • Contingency grant [ for social sciences / humanities stream] – INR 10,000 per annum [ for 2 years] and INR 20,500 per annum [ for remaining period] 
  • Contingency grant [ for sciences/ engineering & technology streams] – INR 12,000 per annum [for 2 years] and INR 25,000 per annum [ for remaining tenure] 
  • Special assistance for blind and physically handicapped students – INR 2000 per month [ escort and reader assistance]

UGC Scholarship – Results

The UBC committee follows a three-step process to identify, select, and finalize candidates to provide scholarships and fellowships as part of its extensive aids and schemes. The process includes:

  • Initial selection based on eligibility criteria of the candidate
  • Mid-level selection comprising verification of credentials
  • Final selection based on interview. 

After candidates apply for UGC scholarships on the online portal, they would have to stay updated through the official website to know the status of their applications. The UGC has set up a panel that looks into the applications for initial screening based on the eligibility conditions quoted by the candidate. 

Based on the recommendations of this panel, applicants are then verified, and those who are found genuine shall be recommended for the next round of interviews. The UGC expert committee that is in charge of conducting the interview shall finalize the list of candidates, and the result shall be displayed on the official portal in due course of time. 

UGC Scholarship Disbursement

The scholarship amount is credited into the selected candidate’s account by the method of direct benefit transfer or DBT. This method ensures that the right candidate receives the scholarship amount directly into his bank account without the interference of middlemen and unscrutinized personnel in between the process, thus ensuring efficiency, reliability, and transparency in the whole system. 

The requirement for DBT of scholarship amount into the student’s account is that he should own his regular bank account with a nationalized bank else he wouldn’t be recommended further for the scholarship grant. 

UGC Scholarship – Renewal Process 

The important points with respect to the renewal of UGC scholarship are listed below:

  • The extent of the scholarship depends on the duration, of course, opted by the candidate.
  • A strict monitoring program facilitates the renewal process. The Head of department or HOD concerned with the student’s merit records is directly responsible for tracking his progress through the scholarship tenure. 
  • A yearly report explaining the performance of the candidate and duly attested by the HOD/ principal/ head of the institution is to be submitted at the bank center where the candidate holds an account. 
  • The performance report is a metric to decide the renewal of the scholarship of the candidate. 
  • Based on the satisfactory performance of the student, UGC shall renew the scholarship amount for the current year. 

UGC Scholarship Benefits

UGC scholarships are extremely prestigious and provide excellent opportunities for students. Some of the prominent benefits of UGC scholarships are listed below: 

  • Facilities to become lecturers in deemed universities of India 
  • Opportunities for research work in distinguished centers across the country.
  • Opportunities to study at esteemed laboratories in the country.
  • Candidates who have attained research fellowships via UGC stand a future chance to serve at companies/ organizations/ establishments of excellence.
  • Future prospects of bright job opportunities.
  • These scholarships also provide an excellent opportunity for students to utilise facilities at R&D centers across the country. 

UGC Scholarship – Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the purpose behind scholarship and fellowship schemes offered by UGC?

Promotion of quality and world-class education, research, and teaching opportunities and protocols in Indian universities is the motto and purpose behind the grants offered by UGC committees. 

  • Is the scholarship amount payable to my parent’s account since I do not have my bank account?

Every candidate/ applicant must have his own regular bank account in a nationalised bank, failing which the scholarship amount would not be entailed to the candidate. 

  • Where can I find the latest updates list of UGC scholarships? 

The latest and updated list of UGC scholarships is available on the official portal – www.ugc.ac.in

  • Can I check my application status on the official portal?

The UGC committee directly displays the results after scrutinizing applications and conducting interviews with them. The results shall be available on the official portal. 

  • What is the timeline for applying to UGC scholarships?

Different scholarships have different timelines. The specific time period for the application can be found displayed on the official website. 

Contact Details of UGC Scholarship 

For any doubts and queries regarding scholarships, candidates can feel free to contact the UGC helpline team:

Contact address: UGC, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110 002 

Telephone numbers: 011- 23604505/ 011- 23604504

Filed Under: Scholarship

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