Uplifting Marginalised Researchers: National Fellowship For Other Backward Classes (NF‑OBC) 2014 – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Tanmyi Anthwal

Background:

Back in 2014–15, the Indian government established the National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes (NF-OBC) program under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to increase the chances for OBC students to pursue higher education and earn degrees like M.Phil. and Ph.D.

The Scheme’s objective is to give OBC students financial support so they can pursue high-quality postsecondary education at universities, research institutes, and scientific institutions, to help students earn degrees like M.Phil. and Ph.D. This will not only enable them to apply for open lectureship positions in a number of colleges and universities, but it will also equip them to successfully capitalize on the growing opportunities both domestically and globally in the context of the new economic order.

Scope of the Scheme:

The scheme, which was initially launched in the Financial Year 2014-15, began with an allocation of 300 Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs) each year and later expanded in 2016-17 to offer 300 Senior Research Fellowships (SRFs) specifically for eligible OBC candidates.

The National Fellowship for OBC Students scheme has expanded its annual intaketo 1,000 Junior Research Fellowships (JRFs), distributed as follows:

• 750 JRFs for Humanities and Social Sciences through the UGC NET-JRF
• 250 JRFs for Sciences via the UGC-CSIR NET-JRF

Furthermore, a 5% reservation is preserved for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) within the OBC category to promote inclusive access to higher research opportunities.

The NF-OBC fellowship is administered by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and was initially funded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Subsequently, the financial responsibility shifted to the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), with disbursements facilitated through Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms.

In contrast, the SC/ST fellowships—such as the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF)—continue to be directly funded by the Ministry and disbursed through UGC, ensuring greater consistency and institutional oversight. Similarly, the UGC-JRF (Junior Research Fellowship), funded by the Ministry of Education, benefits from a well-established, centralized disbursement structure under UGC’s direct purview. The transition of the NF-OBC fellowship to NBCFDC, a financial institution rather than an academic body, has introduced administrative complexities and delays not typically observed in the SC/ST or UGC-JRF schemes.

 Eligibility Criteria:

1. Candidates must have qualified in either:
   1. UGC-NET-JRF (Humanities & Social Sciences), or
   2. UGC-CSIR NET-JRF (Sciences).
2. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. program at a UGC-recognized university or institution.
3. Fellowship is subject to placement in an accredited institution.
4. The fellowship is valid for three years from the date mentioned in the JRF award letter.
   a. For already enrolled candidates, it begins on the date of the NFOBC result announcement or the actual joining date.
5. Candidates are not eligible if they:
   1. Are receiving any other fellowship or scholarship from the central/state government or organizations like the UGC, or
   2. Are employed in universities or government institutions, even if on study leave or extraordinary leave.
6. The fellowship is initially awarded for two years as a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF).
   1. Upon satisfactory performance, it may be extended for three more years as a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), for a total duration of five years.

Required Documents for Registration:

Figure 1

Procedure for application:

Applications for the National Fellowship for OBC Candidates are invited once a year via online mode. Notifications are published in leading national newspapers, the Employment News, and on the official website of the UGC.

The selection is made based on merit and UGC guidelines. The online application window generally remains open from October to December each year. To make sure your application is taken into account, it needs to be submitted prior to the deadline (December).

Steps to apply:

1. Navigate to the official UGC website at https://www.ugc.gov.in/
2. On the main page, find and select the “e-SARTS Scholarships-Fellowships” link, which is usually positioned on the right side. 
3. From the list of schemes available, choose “National Fellowship for OBC Candidates.” 
4. Click the “Apply Now” button found at the top of the page. 
5. Complete the online form by entering all required personal, academic, and other relevant information. 
6. Upload all necessary documents in the specified format as outlined in the guidelines. 
7. Review your completed application and click “Submit” to finalize your submission. 

Despite official complaints submitted to the Ministry, the delay in stipend payments under the NF-OBC scheme has worsened since the nodal agency transitioned from UGC to NBCFDC in October of last year. When questioned, researchers indicate that NBCFDC has officially attributed the issue to a ‘lack of funds. In the meantime, countless students are left in a difficult situation, burdened by mounting financial pressure, that affects both their personal well-being and academic focus.

Note: Kindly keep the scanned copies of all required documents ready before starting the application to avoid delays.

Benefits and Entitlements:

Compliance and Accountability Measures:

1. The scholar is found to be ineligible to receive the fellowship at any point during its duration.
2. The fellowship has been claimed or availed by providing false, wrong, or misleading information.
3. An adverse report is received from the institution.
4. Indulging in misconduct, misbehaviour, or corrupt practices.
5. Unsatisfactory progress in research work.
6. Violation of the terms and conditions outlined in these guidelines.
7. Plagiarism or unethical practices in any form.
8. The candidate is already receiving a scholarship or fellowship from another source.
9. The candidate is found to be employed during their M.Phil./PhD research.

Performance:

In recent years, the NF-OBC scheme has grown both in scope and financial magnitude, as evidenced by the increase in the number of beneficiaries and suggested budget enhancements. However, this quantitative growth has been hindered by operational challenges, particularly irregular fund disbursals and systemic delays. The following section presents a structured performance analysis.

Beneficiaries over the years

Despite commendable growth in outreach, both in scholar numbers and fiscal provisions, the delivery mechanism remains unreliable. The failure to consistently distribute funds to every beneficiary, even with an increased budget, jeopardizes the goals of the program. The information indicates a fundamental conflict – growth in scale versus dependability of delivery.

Impact:

• The NF OBC scheme has played a vital role in assisting MPhil and PhD scholars from OBC backgrounds in pursuing advanced research.
• Acknowledging difficulties in disbursing funds, the Ministry reallocated ₹14.96 crore mid-year, ensuring that financial aid reached scholars despite procedural holdups. This demonstrates flexible fiscal management.
• Scholars have faced delays of 7 to 9 months in receiving their stipends, which has greatly impacted their essential livelihoods and the continuity of their research. Those relying on this funding for necessities such as food, housing, and materials are especially affected.
• The transition from UGC to NBCFDC as the primary agency has exacerbated delays in disbursement, resulting in increasing debts. Students identify bureaucratic obstacles and complications in fund distribution as fundamental systemic issues.

Emerging Issues:

• Delays in stipend disbursements can last up to 9 months, negatively compromising financial stability and academic progress.
• NF-OBC stipends are distributed quarterly, causing cash flow concerns for scholars who rely on monthly payments.
• The shift of disbursement responsibilities to the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) has introduced procedural delays and fund allocation inconsistencies.
• Scholars report a lack of clear communication regarding disbursement timelines and grievance redressal mechanisms, leading to increased uncertainty and distress.

Way Forward:

Timely and strategic reforms are essential to restore the credibility of the NF-OBC fellowship. Transitioning to monthly disbursements, establishing a centralized and transparent system, and implementing an effective grievance redressal mechanism will address key operational challenges. Strengthening institutional communication will further enhance trust and accountability. Collectively, these measures must lead to a more inclusive, efficient, and rights-based fellowship system that truly advances the mandate of social justice.

References:

About the contributor: Tanmyi Anthwal is a Research Intern with IMPRI.

Acknowledgment: The author sincerely thanks the IMPRI team for their valuable support.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation. 

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