Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child: Overview and Application Details

Overview of the Fellowship

The Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC) is administered by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The scheme aims to support eligible single girl children in pursuing regular, full-time Ph.D. programmes in recognised Indian institutions across various streams and subjects.

Financial Assistance and Rates

Selected scholars may receive monthly stipends and annual contingency grants, subject to the conditions specified by the UGC:

• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): The current UGC webpage lists ₹37,000 per month for the first two years. (Note: Detailed guideline PDFs may list older rates, so applicants should verify current notifications.)
• Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹42,000 per month for the remaining eligible tenure.
• Contingency Grants: Provided annually to help cover research-related expenses, with varying amounts designated for Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, and Technology.
• Additional Support: Eligible scholars with disabilities may receive allowances for reader or escort assistance, alongside applicable House Rent Allowance (HRA) rules.

The fellowship duration lasts for up to five years or until the Ph.D. thesis is submitted, whichever is earlier.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for consideration, applicants must generally meet specific criteria:

• Status: Must be the only girl child in the family (without a brother or sister). Twin or fraternal daughters are also eligible under specific rules.
• Programme Type: Must be enrolled in a regular, full-time Ph.D. Part-time, distance, and open-mode programmes are excluded.
• Age Limit: Generally up to 40 years for the General category, with relaxations up to 45 years for reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
• Documentation: Must provide a prescribed single-girl-child affidavit on a ₹100 non-judicial stamp paper, attested by an authorised officer.

How to Apply and Verify

Applications are processed online through the official UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal when active. Prospective candidates should:

1. Visit the official UGC website and fellowship portal to confirm if applications are open.
2. Review the latest guidelines and notification details.
3. Register as a new user and complete the digital application form.
4. Upload scanned copies of the required affidavit, photographs, signatures, and institutional admission details.

For official inquiries, applicants can reach the UGC via telephone at 011-23604446 or 011-23604200, or check the official web portal for updated announcements.