Education plays a crucial role in empowering women, and to support single girl children in pursuing higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC). This fellowship aims to encourage and financially assist single girl children to undertake Ph.D. research in any discipline.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for this fellowship, a student must:
Be a single girl child in the family (i.e., the only daughter without any brothers or sisters).
Be pursuing a full-time Ph.D. in a recognized university, college, or institution.
Be within the age limit: 40 years for General Category and 45 years for SC/ST/OBC/PWD.
Have secured admission in a regular Ph.D. program (distance/part-time Ph.D. courses are not eligible).
🚫 If a family has one or more sons, the girl child is not eligible for this fellowship.
Benefits of the Fellowship
The fellowship provides financial assistance to selected scholars for a period of five years, covering:
Monthly Fellowship Amount
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹31,000 per month (initial 2 years)
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹35,000 per month (remaining 3 years)
Contingency Grant
- Humanities & Social Sciences: ₹10,000 per year (first 2 years), ₹20,500 per year (remaining tenure)
- Science, Engineering & Technology: ₹12,000 per year (first 2 years), ₹25,000 per year (remaining tenure)
Additional Support
- Divyang (Disabled) Scholars receive ₹3,000 per month as escort/reader assistance.
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) is provided based on the city and availability of hostel accommodation.
Leave & Other Benefits
Earned Leave: Up to 30 days per year, excluding public holidays.
Maternity Leave: Available for female scholars as per government norms.
Academic Leave: Allowed for research-related academic work (without fellowship).
Medical Assistance: Can avail facilities provided by the respective institution.
Application Process: How to Apply?
Applications are invited once a year through online mode via the UGC portal.
Step 1: Visit UGC FRG Portal and read the guidelines.
Step 2: Register as a new user and provide personal and academic details.
Step 3: Login and fill out the application form.
Step 4: Upload required documents, including proof of being a single girl child (affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper attested by SDM/First Class Magistrate/Tahsildar).
Step 5: Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
Documents Required
Scanned passport-size photograph and signature (Max 1MB, JPG format)
Complete research proposal and abstract
Affidavit confirming single girl child status
Signed application form by Head of Department/Registrar
Final Thoughts
The Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child is a golden opportunity for young women to pursue research and higher education without financial worries. By empowering single girl children, the scheme promotes gender equality and encourages women to contribute to academia and research.
Apply now and take a step towards an academic career!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Only The Submission Of An Application Form Guarantee The Award Of A Fellowship And Research Grant?
No, mere submission of an application form does not guarantee the award of a Fellowship and Research Grant.
Is Admission To Ph.D. Course In Part-Time/Distance Mode Is Not Covered Under The Scheme?
Admission to Ph.D. Course in part-time/distance mode is not covered under the scheme. A scholar is not eligible for a fellowship if the research is intended/pursued through open/ part-time distance education mode or part-time mode.
Who Shall Be Held Responsible If The Applicant Furnishes Incorrect/Incomplete Information That Results In The Cancellation Of His/Her Candidature?
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide correct information, failing which he/she will be solely responsible for the cancellation for his/her candidature.
What Is Meant By “Aadhaar Seeding”?
The fellowship is directly paid to the research scholars in their bank accounts. For this, the bank account numbers of the scholars are required to be Aadhaar linked and verified. This process is called “Aadhaar Seeding”. As per the instructions of the Government of India, the Aadhaar has been made mandatory for the disbursement of all Government subsidies/Scholarships/Fellowships which are disbursed directly into the beneficiary’s account. Accordingly, Aadhaar will be used as an Identifier for the release of grants under these schemes.
By When Shall The Scholarship/Fellowship Become Payable?
The scholarship/fellowship will become payable after the student has secured admission and has started attending the classes.
How Are The Applications Invited For The Purpose Of This Scheme? Is The Application Process Online?
Applications are invited through online mode once in a year through advertisements in leading newspapers & employment news. Short notification is also uploaded in the UGC website i.e. www.ugc.ac.in
To Whom Should The Candidates Reach Out If They Have Any Doubts Regarding The UGC Scholarship/Fellowship Scheme?
The candidates can reach out to the helpdesk if they have any doubts regarding the UGC scholarship and fellowship schemes. Given below is the UGC helpline for scholarships/fellowships: Address: UGC, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110002. UGC Scholarship Contact No: 011-23604446, 011-23604200 Email ID: webmaster.ugc.help@gmail.com
