NFST National Fellowship for ST Students 2026: Eligibility, How to Apply, Scholarship Amount and Benefits

Every year, many bright students from India’s Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities dream of pursuing research, postgraduate, or doctoral studies at top universities. However, financial limitations often hold them back. The National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) is designed to bridge this gap. It’s a government-backed fellowship that supports deserving tribal students so that money never becomes a hurdle on their path to higher education and research.

I’m Riten, the founder of Fueler, a platform that helps people get opportunities through the power of proven work. Over the years, I’ve interacted with countless students and professionals who struggled to continue their studies due to financial barriers. Understanding these challenges is why researching and sharing opportunities like NFST is so meaningful to me. Through Fueler, I’ve seen how documented achievements and the right opportunities can change lives, and fellowships like NFST play a key role in enabling such transformation.

What is the NFST Fellowship?

The National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) is a Central Government initiative managed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It’s implemented through the University Grants Commission (UGC), supporting ST students who want to pursue MPhil or PhD degrees in universities and academic institutions recognized by the UGC or other government bodies.

This fellowship ensures that gifted ST students can focus entirely on their research without worrying about financial burdens. The scheme offers a monthly fellowship amount, a contingency grant, and other benefits similar to those offered in UGC’s Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) programs.

Scholarship Benefits and Amount Details

The NFST Fellowship provides comprehensive financial assistance that covers all major costs, ensuring students can fully focus on their research.

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): For the initial two years, selected scholars receive ₹31,000 per month. This amount helps support living expenses, research-related requirements, and academic materials. After a successful evaluation at the end of the second year, the candidate may be upgraded to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) status.
• Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): Upon satisfactory progress, the fellowship increases to ₹35,000 per month starting from the third year onward until the completion of the approved research period. This upgrade recognises the scholar’s advanced research contributions.
• Contingency Grant: To support research activities, ST students enrolled in science subjects receive ₹12,000 per year during JRF and ₹25,000 per year during SRF. For students in social sciences or humanities, the contingency amount is ₹10,000 per year during JRF and ₹20,500 during SRF. This fund can be used for books, research papers, software, lab materials, or travel for fieldwork.
• Departmental Assistance / Escort and Reader Assistance (for students with disabilities): Physically challenged students are eligible for up to ₹2,000 per month as additional assistance to help with research mobility or reading support.
• HRA (House Rent Allowance): Students who are not provided hostel accommodation by their universities receive HRA as per government norms, ensuring they can afford safe housing near their research institutions.

Overall, the fellowship provides robust support that allows students to dedicate themselves to academic excellence and research growth.

Eligibility Criteria

Only candidates meeting specific academic and social requirements can apply for this fellowship. Here’s a detailed look:

• The applicant must belong to a recognized Scheduled Tribe (ST) community as listed in the Indian Constitution.
• The candidate should have passed postgraduate (Master’s) degree examinations in a recognized university or institution.
• The minimum required percentage in postgraduation is 55 percent to qualify for admission to MPhil or PhD programs.
• Candidates must have secured admission and registered for MPhil or PhD courses in a recognized university or institution by the time of joining the fellowship.
• The fellowship is open for both full-time regular students; distance learning candidates are not eligible.
• Students should not be receiving any other fellowship concurrently, such as JRF from UGC-CSIR or any scholarship from other government departments.
• There is no specific income limit for families under this scheme, making it accessible for all ST students who meet educational eligibility.

Application Process and How to Apply

The NFST application process has been fully digitized to promote simplicity and transparency. Here’s a complete breakdown of how to apply efficiently:

1. Visit the official website: Go to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs portal or the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) where the NFST application link is made available every year.
2. Registration: Create an applicant profile by providing your basic details, including Aadhaar number, email address, and educational information.
3. Application Form: Fill in your academic qualifications, institution details, category certificate, and enrollment number for your MPhil or PhD program.
4. Upload Documents: Submit scanned copies of important documents like:

• ST caste certificate issued by a competent authority
• Postgraduate marksheets
• Admission/registration proof from institution
• Aadhaar card
• Income certificate (if applicable)
• Bank passbook details

5.Submission and Verification: Once submitted, your institution administrator and ministry officials will verify the details.

6.Selection and Notification: Selected candidates receive the confirmation through an official merit list and fellowship sanction letter, which includes payment and renewal instructions.

Applications are typically invited between July and October each year, and the fellowship runs for five years, covering both MPhil and PhD stages.

Key Dates to Remember

• Application Start: Usually opens in July or August
• Last Date to Apply: Typically closes by October
• Verification Deadline: Early November
• Result Announcement: December or January
• Fellowship Disbursement: Starts after verification and joining confirmation

(Exact dates may vary, and applicants should always refer to the official Ministry of Tribal Affairs website or NSP for updated timelines.)

Selection Process

The selection process for NFST is straightforward and merit-driven:

• Applications undergo thorough scrutiny to verify eligibility and academic background.
• Merit lists are prepared based on academic performance and research potential.
• The total number of new fellowships awarded each year is 750, ensuring allocation across different universities and states.
• Preference is given to candidates securing admission in institutions with strong academic and research infrastructure.

Duration and Tenure

• MPhil + PhD (integrated): Maximum 5 years
• PhD only: Maximum 5 years
• MPhil only: Maximum 2 years

The continuation of the fellowship depends on annual progress reports and the recommendation of the university’s research supervisor. If performance is unsatisfactory, the fellowship may be discontinued.

Impact of NFST on Tribal Education

The NFST Fellowship has played an instrumental role in empowering ST scholars to achieve advanced education, accelerating their participation in national academia and research ecosystems. It fosters inclusion, builds research capabilities in tribal communities, and creates role models for others aspiring for higher studies.

Through such initiatives, the government not only promotes equity in education but also ensures that the voices and perspectives of tribal students contribute meaningfully to India’s academic landscape.

Final Thought

The NFST Fellowship empowers ST students to pursue higher education without financial stress. It opens doors to research and academic excellence, helping deserving scholars focus on learning, not expenses. If you’re an ST student with big ambitions, this is your chance to turn them into reality.

FAQs

1. Who is eligible for NFST Fellowship?

Only Scheduled Tribe (ST) students who have completed postgraduation and secured admission in MPhil or PhD programs are eligible.

2. How can I apply for the National Fellowship for ST Students?

Applications must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) with all supporting documents before the deadline.

3. What is the monthly stipend amount under NFST?

Students receive ₹31,000 per month for the first two years and ₹35,000 per month after the Junior Research Fellowship period.

4. Can part-time or distance PhD students apply for NFST?

No. Only full-time research scholars enrolled in recognized universities or institutions are eligible for this fellowship.

5. How long does the fellowship last?

The duration is up to five years for PhD or integrated programs and up to two years for MPhil courses.

What is Fueler Portfolio?

Fueler is a career portfolio platform that helps companies find the best talent for their organization based on their proof of work. You can create your portfolio on Fueler, thousands of freelancers around the world use Fueler to create their professional-looking portfolios and become financially independent. Discover inspiration for your portfolio

Sign up for free on Fueler or get in touch to learn more.