Junior Research Fellowship In Sciences, Humanities, And Social Sciences

Description
The Junior Research Fellowship JRF scheme of the University Grants Commission UGC is open to candidates who qualify for the National Eligibility Test-Junior Research Fellowship NET-JRF of the UGC and the UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research UGC-CSIR joint test. However, please note that these are qualifying tests only and do not bestow a fellowship upon the candidate. OBJECTIVES The objective of the JRF scheme is to provide opportunities to NET-JRF qualified candidates to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil/Ph.D. Degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences including Languages and Sciences.

Benefits
• Fellowship Amount:
• Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹37,000 per month for 2 years
• Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹42,000 per month for the remaining period
• Contingency A (for Humanities & Social Sciences):
• ₹10,000 per annum for JRF
• ₹20,500 per annum for SRF
• Contingency B (for Science Scholars):
• ₹12,000 per annum for JRF
• ₹25,000 per annum for SRF
• Housing Rent Allowance (HRA)
• (HRA is provided as per the categorization of cities by the Government of India.)
• Hostel Accommodation:
• If suitable single-seated hostel accommodation is provided by the institution, the fellow is eligible to receive only hostel fees (excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc.).
• A certificate confirming this must be furnished through the Registrar/Director/Principal.
• HRA is not permissible for fellows staying in hostel accommodation.
• Alternative Accommodation:
• If hostel accommodation is not available, the fellow may be provided with single accommodation by the host institution.
• In such cases, rent paid by the fellow may be reimbursed on an actual basis, subject to the HRA ceiling set by the Government of India.
• Self-Arranged Accommodation:
• If the fellow arranges her own accommodation, she is entitled to HRA as per the Government of India's city categorization norms.
• Medical Facilities
• No separate or fixed medical assistance is provided under the fellowship.
• However, the fellow may avail of the medical facilities available at the institution, university, or college.
• Leave Policy
• General Leave:
• Fellows are entitled to a maximum of 30 days of leave per year, in addition to public holidays.
• They are not entitled to any additional vacations.
• Maternity/Paternity Leave:
• Maternity/Paternity leave is granted as per Government of India norms, at full fellowship rates, once during the tenure of the fellowship.
• Intermittent Break (For Women Candidates Only):
• Women candidates may avail an intermittent break of up to one year (maximum three times during the fellowship).
• The total break period must not exceed one year.
• This period will not be counted toward the tenure of the fellowship, ensuring that the fellowship duration remains the same.
• Academic Leave:
• Academic leave without fellowship is permissible for one year during the fellowship tenure.
• This leave can be availed for academic assignments, teaching, or foreign visits related to research work.
• The period of leave without fellowship will be counted towards the tenure.
• Expenditure for foreign visits related to research work cannot be claimed from UGC.
• Tenure of Fellowship:
• These are integrated five-year fellowships for M.Phil. and Ph.D. subject academic criteria in force for selection of Ph.D. program. The duration of the fellowship is as under:
• M.Phil. + Ph.D.
• Maximum duration (Years): 5
• Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2
• Admissibility of SRF (Years): 3
• Ph.D.
• Maximum duration (Years): 5
• Admissibility of JRF (Years): 2
• Admissibility of SRF (Years): 3

Eligibility Criteria
1. The candidates must have qualified NET-JRF or the UGC-CSIR Joint Test.
2. The candidates must register for M.Phil/Ph.D. in a recognized University/Institution/College within two years from:
3. - The date of declaration of the result, or
4. - The date of issue of the award letter, or
5. - The date of joining the fellowship.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the universities/institutions/colleges recognized u, and request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the concerned authority.
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Step 1: The interested applicant should visit (during office hours) the universities/institutions/colleges recognized u, and request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the concerned authority.

Step 2: Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).
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Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, paste the passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required), and attach copies of all the mandatory documents (self-attest, if required).

Step 3: Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents, within the prescribed period (if any), to the authority.
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Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents, within the prescribed period (if any), to the authority.

Step 4: Step 4: Request a receipt or acknowledgement from the concerned authority to whom the application has been submitted. Ensure that the receipt contains essential details such as the date and time of submission, and a unique identification number (i…
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NOTE: Ensure that the application is submitted within the prescribed period, if any.

Required Documents
• Aadhaar Number
• Duly Filled Application Form
• Score Card of NET-JRF or the UGC-CSIR Joint Test
• Proof of Address
• Proof of educational qualifications (mark sheets, certificates, diplomas, etc.)
• Physical disability certificate (if applicable)
• Bank Details
• After receiving the Award letter student has to verify the document from the Dept. office and then submit it to the Academic office which will be further uploaded on the UGC Canara bank portal:
• Joining report, HRA form, UGC award letter, Last qualifying degree certificate.
• The student has to submit half yearly progress report after every six months to the Academic office,
• for sending it to the UGC for release of fellowship in continuation.
• After completion of two years of the program, the student has to submit Three member
• Assessment committee report for upgradation from JRF to SRF to Academic office for
• uploading on the UGC portal.
• Contingency and HRA form: Students have to get it signed personally by the Academic office and
• Directly deposit it to the Accounts section. No softcopy will be accepted.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the JRF scheme?
A: The objective is to provide opportunities for NET-JRF qualified candidates to undertake advanced research leading to M.Phil./Ph.D. degrees in Humanities, Social Sciences, Languages, and Sciences.

Q: Who is eligible for the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) scheme?
A: The scheme is open to candidates who qualify for the National Eligibility Test (NET-JRF) conducted by UGC or the UGC-CSIR joint test. However, qualifying for these tests does not automatically grant a fellowship.

Q: What is the fellowship amount under the JRF scheme?
A: JRF: [?]37,000 per month (for the first two years).
SRF: [?]42,000 per month (for the remaining tenure).

Q: What is the contingency grant for JRF and SRF scholars?
A: For Humanities & Social Sciences:
[?]10,000 per annum (JRF)
[?]20,500 per annum (SRF)
For Science Scholars:
[?]12,000 per annum (JRF)
[?]25,000 per annum (SRF)

Q: Is Housing Rent Allowance (HRA) provided under the fellowship?
A: Yes, HRA is provided as per Government of India norms.

Q: Are medical expenses covered under the fellowship?
A: No separate or fixed medical assistance is provided, but fellows can avail medical facilities available at their institution, university, or college.

Q: What is the leave policy for JRF and SRF scholars?
A: Fellows are entitled to a maximum period of 30 days of leave in a year in addition to public holidays. They are not entitled to any other vacations.

Q: Can The Candidate Take Maternity Leave?
A: Yes, the candidates are eligible for maternity/paternity leave as per Govt. of India norms issued from time to time at full rates of fellowship once during the tenure of their award.

Q: What Is ‘Intermittent Break’?
A: Besides maternity/paternity leave, 'Intermittent Break' for a maximum period of 1 year may also be permissible to the women candidates. The leave can be availed 3 times during the entire period of the fellowship. However, the total duration of leave shall not exceed one year. This Flexi Time period should not be counted towards the tenure of the fellowship and thus effectively the total period of fellowship will remain the same.

Q: Are The Candidates Who Have Qualified UGC-CSIR Also Eligible To Apply?
A: Candidates who have qualified in NET-JRF or the UGC-CSIR joint tests.

Q: When Does The Student Have To Submit The Half-Yearly Progress Report?
A: The student has to submit half yearly progress report after every six months to the Academic office, for sending to the UGC for release of fellowship in continuation.

Q: How Would The Candidate Transition From JRF To SRF?
A: After completion of two years of the program, the student has to submit Three member Assessment committee report for upgradation from JRF to SRF to the Academic office for uploading on the UGC portal.