National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation (NSFDC) is a PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJ&E). NSFDC is engaged in providing financial assistance at concessional interest rates under various credit schemes to beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes, through the State/UT Channelizing Agencies and other channel partners.
NSFDC is the implementing agency for National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC), w.e.f 1.10.2022. The scheme is formulated and funded by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, GoI. The objective of the scheme is to provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students belonging to SC category to pursue higher studies leading to M.Phil/Ph.D in Science, Humanities, Social Science, in Indian Universities/Institutions/Colleges recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC).
The scheme provides for 2000 new Fellowships (1500 Junior Research Fellows for Humanities/ Social Sciences and 500 Junior Research Fellows for Science stream) per year to such Scheduled Caste students to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil/Ph.D Degrees, who have qualified in the UGC NET / Joint CSIR UGC NET exam. These slots are over and above the number of SC students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for UGC / CSIR Fellowships.
The SC candidates to be awarded with NFSC are selected by National Testing Agency (NTA) through UGC NET and Joint CSIR UGC NET exams. Further, the Cutoffs (in Marks or Percentile) for the said exams are prepared by NTA. There is no role of NSFDC in the selection of candidates and preparation of Cutoffs.
Contact Details
Toll Free No.: 1800110396
E-mail Id: nfsc.nsfdc@gmail.com