innovationclustersarchive.nic.in RGNF Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship For Students : Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

Organization : Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Scholarship Name : Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship
Applicable For : Students with Disabilities
Applicable States : All India

Website : http://innovationclustersarchive.nic.in/content/page/rgnf-for-students-with-disabilities.php
Scheme Details:  https://www.scholarships.net.in/uploads/2958-Fellow.pdf

Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities:
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is a fellowship scheme for pursuing M.Phil/Ph.D. courses in any University recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC). Number of fellowships to be given is 200 per annum. The scheme is effective from 2012-13. However, selection of candidates of the year 2012-13 could be done only in 2013-14. The fellowship amount ranges from Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 28,000/- per month. In addition, there are provisions of Escort/Reader Allowance and House Rent Allowance (wherever applicable). Duration of Fellowship: 2 years for M.Phil and 5 years for Ph.D. Selection of candidates is done by UGC. Disbursement of fellowship amount is done by the Department of Disability Affairs through Canara Bank who has been designated for this purpose. The Fellowship amount is remitted by the Canara bank direct to the bank accounts of the selected candidates.

Government of India has launched a Central Sector scheme namely, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) during the financial year 2012-13 to increase opportunities to students with disabilities for pursuing higher education leading to degrees such as M. Phil. and Ph.D. The scheme was effective from 1st April 2012. The scheme caters to the requirements of the students with disabilities for pursuing research degree in universities, research institutions and scientific institutions. This will not only enable them to be eligible for employment to the posts of Lecturers lying vacant in various colleges and universities but will equip them to effectively take advantage of the growing opportunities at the national and international level in the context of the new economic order.

Scope of the scheme:
The scheme caters total number of 200 Fellowship (Junior Research Fellows, JRF) per year to students with disabilities. The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is implemented by the UGC itself on the pattern of the scheme of UGC Fellowship being awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. These fellowships will be available to students with disabilities who are covered under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. Thus, a person with disability who wishes to avail the benefit under the Act has to obtain a disability certificate from the medical authority notified for the purpose.

Eligibility:
(i) Any student with disabilities who has been admitted to M.PhiI./Ph.D. degree in a University or academic institution by completing the required formalities for admission at that University or academic institution is eligible for the award of Fellowship subject to provision of the scheme.

(ii) After two years, if the progress in the research work of the awardees is found satisfactory, his/her tenure will be extended for a further period of three years as Senior Research Fellowship (SRF). The research work will be assessed by a three member committee set up by the University. The committee will consist of the Supervisor, Head of the Department and one outside expert in the subject. JRF may be terminated in case the progress of the candidate is not found satisfactory by the committee. The SRF shall be sanctioned on year to year basis on the recommendation of the Supervisor of the candidate duly accepted/rejected by the Head of the Department and finally approved by the Vice Chancellor. The total period of award of JRF and SRF shall not exceed a period of five years. The fellowship is paid from date of registration of the students in M.Phil.lPh.D. course but not earlier than 1st April, 2012 i.e. date of effect of the scheme.

(iii) The students with disabilities once considered eligible for the fellowship shall not be entitled to any other benefits from Central or State Government or any other body like UGC offering similar benefit to avoid duplication and increased coverage. Only those doing regular and full time M.Phil./Ph.D. course of a University/Research Institution shall be eligible for the fellowship. Employees of any University/College/Educational Institution/Central/State/U’T Government shall be excluded from availing Fellowship, even if they are on Study Leave or EOL to pursue the M.Phil./Ph.D. course

Number of Fellowships:
(i) The total number of fellowships to be awarded to the students with disabilities under the scheme is 200 every year. In case of non-availability of adequate number of students withdisabilities candidate, the number of fellowship not availed during a year will be carried forward to the next academic session

(ii) However during 2012-13 and 2013-14, the balance number of unutilized JRF may be extended to deserving students for award of SRF scholarship, this will be subject to assessment by UGC as per their guidelines for award of SRF scholarships, within the budget provision of the scheme. In such cases UGC will consult the Ministry which will take appropriate action.

(iii) In case, the number of candidates exceeds the number of available awards, the UGC will select the candidates based on the percentage of marks obtained by the candidates in their Post Graduation examination.