NFST fellowship 2026 — the National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students — provides monthly financial support of Rs.31,000 (JRF) to Rs.35,000 (SRF) to Scheduled Tribe scholars pursuing full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programmes. This guide is for ST research scholars registered or seeking admission in UGC-recognised universities who want to secure this 5-year fully funded fellowship for 2026-27. It covers eligibility, stipend amounts, the complete application process on NSP, required documents, and important dates.
The NFST fellowship 2026-27 is open for applications until October 31, 2026. Eligible ST students pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D. receive Rs.31,000/month (JRF) for the first 2 years and Rs.35,000/month (SRF) for 3 more years, plus an annual contingency grant. Apply online at fellowship.tribal.gov.in or through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) — scholarships.gov.in.
- Scheme Name: National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST)
- Administered by: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
- Implementing Body: University Grants Commission (UGC)
- JRF Monthly Stipend: Rs.31,000 per month (first 2 years)
- SRF Monthly Stipend: Rs.35,000 per month (years 3–5)
- Annual Contingency (Science/Tech): Rs.12,000 (JRF) / Rs.25,000 (SRF)
- Annual Contingency (Humanities/Social Science): Rs.10,000 (JRF) / Rs.20,500 (SRF)
- HRA: As per UGC rates (8%, 16%, or 24% of basic stipend by city category)
- PwD Escort Allowance: Rs.2,000 per month
- Total Annual Fellowships: 750 slots
- Fellowship Duration: Up to 5 years (M.Phil. + Ph.D. or Ph.D. only)
- Application Deadline (2026-27): October 31, 2026
- Application Mode: Online — fellowship.tribal.gov.in / scholarships.gov.in
- Income Limit (Fellowship): No income limit for the fellowship component
- What is NFST Fellowship 2026?
- NFST Fellowship Stipend & Financial Benefits
- NFST Eligibility Criteria 2026
- NFST Slot Distribution — 750 Fellowships
- Documents Required for NFST 2026
- How to Apply for NFST Fellowship 2026 — Step by Step
- Important Dates for NFST 2026-27
- Important Links — NFST Fellowship 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions About NFST Fellowship 2026
What is NFST Fellowship 2026 and Why Should ST Scholars Apply?
The National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST) is a 100% centrally funded scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. It provides research fellowships to Scheduled Tribe scholars pursuing full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. programmes at UGC-recognised universities, helping them focus entirely on academic research without financial pressure.
Launched in 2007 and formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) for Scheduled Tribes, the scheme is implemented through the University Grants Commission (UGC). Disbursements are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), credited directly to the scholar’s bank account after annual continuation certificates are filed by the university’s Ph.D. department.
The scheme has two components: the National Fellowship Scheme — for M.Phil. and Ph.D. students — and the National Scholarship Scheme for graduate and postgraduate students in professional courses such as engineering, medicine, management, and law.
NFST Fellowship 2026 — Stipend Amount and Financial Benefits
The NFST fellowship 2026-27 offers structured financial support across all five years of your research programme. The fellowship amount matches UGC rates and covers monthly stipend, contingency grants, house rent allowance, and disability assistance.
National Fellowship Scheme — Monthly Stipend (Ph.D.)
| Fellowship Stage | Monthly Stipend | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) | Rs.31,000 per month | First 2 years |
| Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) | Rs.35,000 per month | Years 3 to 5 |
| M.Phil. (standalone) | Rs.31,000 per month | Up to 2 years |
Annual Contingency Grant — NFST 2026
| Stream | JRF Period (Per Annum) | SRF Period (Per Annum) |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities & Social Sciences | Rs.10,000 | Rs.20,500 |
| Science / Engineering / Technology | Rs.12,000 | Rs.25,000 |
Additional Allowances — NFST Fellowship 2026
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Paid as per UGC norms — 8%, 16%, or 24% of the stipend based on city category (C, B, or A).
- Escort/Reader Assistance (PwD): Rs.2,000 per month for physically handicapped and visually impaired scholars — applicable to those with a minimum 40% disability certificate.
- Fellowship Duration: Maximum 5 years for Ph.D. only; 2 years M.Phil. + 3 years Ph.D. for integrated programmes.
National Scholarship Scheme — Benefits (Graduate / Postgraduate)
| Assistance Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly Stipend | Rs.3,000 per month |
| Books & Stationery | Rs.5,000 per annum (without bills) |
| Computer & Accessories (one-time) | Rs.45,000 during course tenure |
| Tuition Fees (Govt. Institutions) | Full tuition and non-refundable dues |
| Tuition Fees (Private Institutions) | Up to Rs.2.50 lakh per annum |
NFST Eligibility Criteria 2026 — Who Can Apply?
Eligibility for the NFST fellowship 2026 is strictly defined by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Read the criteria below carefully before applying — only candidates who meet all conditions are considered.
National Fellowship Scheme — Eligibility
- Caste Category: Must belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) category — a valid ST certificate issued by the competent authority is mandatory.
- Academic Qualification: Must have completed post-graduation with a minimum of 55% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in the final postgraduate examination.
- Course Enrolment: Must be registered for a full-time, regular M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme at a university recognised under Section 2(f)/12(B) of the UGC Act, a Deemed University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, a Central/State Government-funded institution, or an Institute of National Importance.
- Age Limit: Maximum 36 years as on July 1 of the relevant scholarship year.
- Mode of Study: Full-time, regular enrolment only — distance learning and part-time Ph.D. candidates are not eligible.
- Income Limit: No income limit applies for the National Fellowship Scheme.
- Other Fellowships: Candidates already receiving any other Central or State Government fellowship (such as UGC-CSIR JRF) for the same study period are not eligible.
National Scholarship Scheme — Additional Eligibility
- ST students enrolled in graduate or postgraduate professional courses at institutions approved by the Ministry.
- Total annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs.6.0 lakh. For orphans supported by a guardian, the income criterion does not apply.
- Students cannot receive any other Central or State scholarship for the same course concurrently.
Eligible Institutions — NFST Fellowship 2026
- Universities/Colleges under Section 2(f)/12(B) of the UGC Act
- Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act eligible for UGC grants
- Universities and Institutes receiving Central or State Government grants
- Institutes of National Importance notified by the Ministry of Higher Education (IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, IISERs — these receive priority selection)
NFST Fellowship 2026 — Slot Distribution (750 Fellowships Per Year)
A total of 750 new fellowships are awarded each year across M.Phil., Ph.D., and integrated M.Phil. + Ph.D. programmes. Selection is merit-based on post-graduation marks when applications exceed available slots.
| Priority | Category | Slots |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) — 5% | 38 |
| 2 | Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) | 25 |
| 3 | Female Candidates — 30% | 225 |
| 4 | ST Others | 462 |
| Total | 750 |
- Students admitted to IITs, AIIMS, IIMs, or IISERs receive priority in the selection process.
- Divyangjan applicants must hold a minimum 40% disability certificate from the competent authority.
- Female reservation (225 slots) includes Divyangjan and PVTG women candidates.
- Unfilled slots in one subcategory roll down to the next category in priority order.
- If fellowships remain unused due to insufficient ST applicants, they are carried forward to the next cycle.
- There is no per-state or per-university cap on the number of fellowships.
Documents Required for NFST Fellowship 2026
Documents for National Fellowship Scheme (M.Phil./Ph.D.)
- Latest coloured passport-size photograph
- ST/PVTG certificate issued by the competent authority
- 10th/Matriculation certificate as proof of date of birth
- Post-graduation mark sheet with aggregate percentage (or CGPA conversion formula from the institution)
- Admission/joining certificate for M.Phil./Ph.D. or integrated M.Phil. + Ph.D. from the university
- Offer of admission — required only for students admitted to IITs/AIIMS/IIMs/IISERs
- Divyangjan certificate issued by the competent authority (for PwD applicants — minimum 40% disability)
Documents for National Scholarship Scheme (Graduate/Postgraduate)
| Document | Fresh Application | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| ST Certificate / PVTG Certificate | Required | Not Required |
| Income Certificate | Required | Not Required |
| Fee Receipt | Required | Required |
| Bank Passbook (scanned copy) | Required | Required |
| Mark Sheet / Qualifying Examination Certificate | Required | Required |
| Bonafide Certificate from Institute | Required | Required |
How to Apply for NFST Fellowship 2026 — Step-by-Step Process
The NFST fellowship 2026-27 application is submitted entirely online through either the official fellowship portal or the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Follow these steps carefully to complete your application before October 31, 2026.
- Visit the Official Portal: Go to fellowship.tribal.gov.in or the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
- Register as a New User: Click on ‘Applicant Corner’ and select ‘New Registration’. Enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. A unique student application ID and password will be sent to your registered mobile number.
- Log In and Update Password: Log in using your application ID and the temporary password. Enter the OTP sent to your mobile to set a new secure password.
- Access the Application Form: On your Applicant Dashboard, click ‘Application Form’. Select the NFST fellowship from the list of available schemes.
- Fill in Your Details: Enter all required information — personal details, academic qualifications, university enrolment details, and category (ST/PVTG/Divyangjan).
- Upload Supporting Documents: Upload your ST certificate, post-graduation mark sheet, Ph.D. admission letter, passport photograph, and other required documents in the prescribed file formats.
- Save as Draft and Review: Save the form as a draft to review every field carefully. Ensure all figures — marks, dates, and category details — match your official documents exactly.
- Submit the Application: Once satisfied with the details, click ‘Submit’. Note your final application number for future reference and status tracking.
NFST Fellowship 2026-27 — Important Dates
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Applications Open (2026-27 Cycle) | As per official notification — check fellowship.tribal.gov.in |
| Last Date to Apply Online | October 31, 2026 |
| Provisional Merit List | Published on tribal.nic.in / fellowship.tribal.gov.in after verification |
| Final Selection / Fellowship Sanction | As per the official notification (check official portal for latest data) |
Always verify dates, slot availability, and stipend revisions directly on the official Ministry of Tribal Affairs portal at tribal.nic.in and the fellowship portal at fellowship.tribal.gov.in before applying. Fellowship amounts are subject to revision as per UGC notification.
Important Links — NFST Fellowship 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About NFST Fellowship 2026
What is the NFST fellowship 2026 and who is eligible to apply for this central government scheme for ST students?
What is the monthly stipend amount under NFST fellowship 2026-27, and how long does the financial support continue for ST PhD scholars?
What is the last date to apply online for NFST fellowship 2026-27, and which portal should ST students use to submit their application?
How many NFST fellowships are awarded each year, and is there any income limit or age limit for the National Fellowship Scheme for ST students?
Can ST students who already receive a UGC-NET JRF or CSIR fellowship apply for NFST fellowship 2026, or is it restricted to non-JRF scholars?
Last Updated: October 2026 | This page is reviewed and updated when official data changes. Bookmark for the latest NFST fellowship updates.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Fellowship amounts are subject to revision as per UGC/MoTA notifications. Always verify eligibility criteria, stipend rates, and deadlines on the official portal at fellowship.tribal.gov.in and tribal.nic.in before applying.
