In shortThe Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship is a UGC scheme for single girl child PhD candidates at recognised Indian universities. It provides Rs 31,000 monthly for the first two years and Rs 35,000 thereafter, plus annual contingency grants of Rs 10,000-20,500 (humanities) or Rs 12,000-25,000 (science). The fellowship runs for five years.
Key facts
- Offered by
- University Grants Commission, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India
- Stipend
- Rs 31,000 per month for the first two years as Junior Research Fellow and Rs 35,000 per month thereafter as Senior Research Fellow. Contingency of Rs 10,000 per annum for the first two years and Rs 20,500 per annum thereafter in humanities and social sciences, and Rs 12,000 rising to Rs 25,000 per annum in science, engineering and technology.
- Duration
- Five years, effective from 1 April of the selection year or the actual date of joining, whichever is later
- Location
- The candidate's own recognised university, college or institute in India
The Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child is a University Grants Commission scheme with an unusual qualifying condition. The applicant must be the only girl child in her family, meaning she has no sister, though twin daughters and a daughter among several sons both count. The intent is to reward families that invested in a daughter’s education without a son to fall back on, and to push single daughters towards doctoral research.
Beyond that condition it works like a standard national doctoral fellowship. It runs for five years, paying a junior rate for the first two years and a senior rate afterwards once research progress is found satisfactory, and it adds an annual contingency grant that is larger for science and engineering than for the humanities. The candidate must be registered in a regular full time PhD at a recognised and accredited institution. Applications open once a year.
Who is eligible
- Must be a single girl child, meaning the only girl child in the family with no sister; twin daughters and one daughter among several sons are also eligible
- Must be registered in a regular full time PhD programme, with part time and distance mode excluded
- Age up to 40 years for General category candidates and up to 45 years for SC, ST, OBC and persons with disability
- The host institution must be a central or state university, deemed university, government funded institution or institute of national importance with valid NAAC accreditation
- Selection is made from eligible online applications received against the annual advertisement
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship
You must be the only girl child in your family with no sister. Twin daughters or a daughter among several sons also qualify. You must be registered full-time in a PhD programme at a recognised and accredited central, state, deemed or national importance institution. Age limits are 40 years for General and 45 years for SC, ST, OBC and PWD.
How much stipend does the fellowship provide
The fellowship pays Rs 31,000 per month for the first two years as Junior Research Fellow and Rs 35,000 per month thereafter as Senior Research Fellow. Additional contingency grants are Rs 10,000-20,500 annually for humanities and Rs 12,000-25,000 for science and engineering.
What is the fellowship duration
The Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship runs for five years, starting from 1 April of the selection year or your actual joining date, whichever is later.
Which institutions are eligible for this fellowship
You must be enrolled at a central university, state university, deemed university, government-funded institution or institute of national importance that holds valid NAAC accreditation.
Can part-time PhD students apply for this fellowship
No. You must be registered in a regular full-time PhD programme. Part-time and distance mode registrations are not eligible.
How often are applications invited for this fellowship
Applications are invited annually through an official advertisement by the University Grants Commission. Selection is made from eligible applications received in response to each annual call.
Before you apply: confirm every date, fee and eligibility rule on the official website linked on this page. Public and Policy is an independent portal, not a government body, and details change without notice.
