National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST) 2023-24 presents an opportunity initiated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The primary aim of this program is to foster higher education among students belonging to the ST community, encouraging them to explore professional and research paths in their careers.
This centrally administered scheme comprises two distinct avenues:
National Fellowship Scheme:
Tailored for individuals who have successfully completed their Master’s degrees and aspire to pursue M.Phil or Ph.D. courses.
National Scholarship Scheme:
Geared towards students aspiring to undertake undergraduate or postgraduate courses in premier government and non-government institutions, particularly in professional fields like Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information Technology, Law, etc.
Also Check : NSP Pre Matric Scholarship 2023-24
Eligibility Criteria of NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 :
To qualify, applicants must:
- Belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category
National Fellowship Scheme:
- Age requirement: 36 years as of the first day of July in the relevant scheme year
- Admission criteria: Regular and full-time enrollment in M.Phil/Ph.D. courses
- Eligible categories of institutions:
- University/Institute/College under section 2(f)/12(B) or 2(f) and 12(B) of UGC Act
- Deemed-to-be-Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, eligible for UGC grant-in-aid
- University/Institute/College receiving grants from Central/State Government
- Institutes of National Importance notified by the Ministry of Higher Education, Government of India
National Scholarship Scheme:
- Admission requirement: Secured admission in a notified institution offering UG/PG courses approved by the Ministry
- Financial eligibility: Annual family income should not exceed INR 6,00,000
Benefits of NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 :
For National Fellowship Scheme:
The applicants selected for the fellowship will be entitled to the stipend as stipulated in the following table subject to the fulfilment of conditions laid down in the scheme:
| Course | Stream | Monthly Scholarship | Annual Contingency |
| M.Phil. | Humanities & Social Sciences/EngineeringTechnology/Science | INR 31,000 | INR 10,000 |
| INR 12,000 | |||
| Ph.D. | INR 31,000 for the first two years and INR 35,000 for the remaining 3 years | INR 20,500 | |
| INR 25,000 |
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) for all the courses (monthly): Equal to UGC rates based on city of residence (8%, 16%, and 24%)
- Escort Allowance for Divyangjan (monthly): INR 2,000 (at par with UGC rates)
Important Note:
- The above rates are equal to UGC rates, which may be revised as and when required.
- If a student lives in a hostel provided by the university, they can’t claim House Rent Allowance (HRA). They can only claim the hostel fees charged by the university.
- The student is not entitled to claim any other expenses, such as mess fee, electricity charges, or water charges. The student must provide a certificate obtained from the Registrar/Director/Principal to this effect.
For National Scholarship Scheme:
The selected candidates will receive financial assistance as stipulated in the
the following table, subject to fulfilment of conditions laid down in the scheme:
| Component | Details | Remarks |
| Tuition Fee and Admission Fee | Full admission fee, tuition fee and other non-refundable charges with respect to Government Institutions | There will be a ceiling of INR 2,50,000 per annum per student for private-sector institutions |
| Books and Stationery | INR 5,000 per annum | For students without bills/vouchers |
| Stipend | INR 3,000 per month | — |
| Computer and Accessories | INR 45,000 (One-time assistance during the course tenure) | Computer & accessories may be desktop/laptop etc. (without bills/vouchers) |
Also Check : NSP Post Matric Scholarship 2023-24
Documents Required for NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 :
- Latest colored passport-size photograph
- ST/PVTG certificate issued by the competent authority
- Class 10/Matriculation/Equivalent certificate supporting date of birth
- Divyangjan certificate issued by the competent authority
- Postgraduation marksheet [Aggregate marks in percentage]/Equivalent % marks (CGPA conversion formula issued by Institute/University)
- Admission/Joining certificates for M.Phil/Ph.D./Integrated M.Phil + Ph.D from the concerned university
- Offer of admission for students admitted to IITs/IIMs/IISERs/AIIMS
Applicants applying for the National Scholarship Scheme are required to submit the following documents:
- Fee receipt.
- Marksheet/certificate of qualifying examination.
- Bonafide certificate issued from the Institute.
- Scanned copy of the bank passbook (The student’s name on the passbook should match the name as mentioned in the application form).
- ST/PVTG certificate (Caste Certificate must be signed and stamped by competent authority)
- Income certificate (for the financial year preceding the year of selection, issued by the designated authority in the respective state/UT) [For fresh candidates].
How To Apply NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 :
Applying for the NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
- Click on the “Click Here To Apply” button provided at the end.
- Carefully review the scholarship details provided.
- Complete the application form and ensure all required information is accurately filled out.
- Attach the necessary documents as specified in the scholarship requirements.
- Finally, click the “Submit” button to submit your scholarship application.
Important Dates
Application Deadline for Fellowship: 31 December 2023
Selection Criteria:
Fellowship Selection Procedure:
- Evaluation of research scholars based on master’s degree grades.
- Criteria determined by the selection committee to assess candidates.
- Formation of a list highlighting the top research scholars.
- Allocation of slots in each stream utilizing a committee-approved method.
Scholarship Selection Procedure:
- Selection of candidates based on their position in the merit list.
- Consideration of the number of available slots in the chosen stream.
Important documents
Terms and Conditions
- Fellowship cancellation possible for applicants using unfair means or engaging in misconduct.
- Fellowship may be revoked if applicants are later deemed ineligible.
Note:– Kindly refer to the ‘Detailed Document on Scheme’ for elaborate information on the scheme.
Contact Details
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
Important Links
Apply online link
Original website
Conclusion of NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 :
NFST 2023-24, by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is a significant initiative fostering higher education among ST students. Offering both fellowships and scholarships, it supports pursuits in professional and research domains, contributing to community empowerment and academic excellence.
Also Check : NSP Pre Matric Scholarship 2023-24
FAQ’s of NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 :
Q1: Can undergraduate students apply for the National Fellowship Scheme?
A: No, the National Fellowship Scheme is for those who have completed their Master’s degree and wish to pursue M.Phil or Ph.D. courses.
Q2: Are there specific professional fields mentioned for the National Scholarship Scheme?
A: Yes, the National Scholarship Scheme is aimed at fields such as Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information Technology, Law, etc.
Q3: Is the scholarship limited to a particular region in India?
A: No, the NFST is a nationwide initiative, and students from any part of the country can apply.
Q4: Is there any gender restriction for applying to the NFST?
A: No, the scholarship is open to all genders, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.
Q5: What is the key objective of the NFST?
A: The primary objective is to promote higher education among Scheduled Tribe students, encouraging them to pursue careers in professional and research fields.
Overview of NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2023-24 :
| Scholarship id | NSPS23112700031 |
| Scholarship Name | NSP National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2022-23 |
| Scholarship Open for | Boys & Girls |
| Scholarship Offered by | Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India |
| Who can Apply ? | Students Studying M.Phil, Ph.D., graduate, and postgraduate |
| Scholarship Amount | Financial assistance |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 December 2023 |
| Application Link for online | Click Here To Apply |