The Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC) is an initiative by the University Grants Commission (UGC), under the Department of Higher Education, aimed at empowering single girl children to pursue Ph.D. research in various fields of study. This fellowship supports a select group of applicants: single girl children who are the only daughters in their families with no brothers. Additionally, female twins or fraternal sisters are also eligible to apply. The number of fellowships offered annually depends on the number of eligible applications, which are processed online.
Key Objectives of the Scheme
- To Promote Education: The fellowship aims to encourage the higher education of single girl children, especially in the fields of Social Sciences.
- Acknowledging Family Norms: The scheme recognizes the importance of the small family concept and acknowledges the role of the single girl child within society.
- Advocacy for Single Girl Child: The fellowship seeks to raise awareness about the societal norm of the single girl child.
- Encouragement of Female Scholars: The scheme is designed to motivate and support young women to excel in academic research.
Benefits of the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship
For Single Girl Child
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| FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE |
Fellowship:
- JRF candidates get ₹ 31,000/- p.m. for the first two years.
- SRF candidates get ₹ 35,000/- p.m. for the remaining tenure.
Subject to satisfactory progress of research work in both cases.
Contingency:
- Candidates pursuing the humanities and social sciences stream get ₹ 10,000/- p.a. for the initial two years and ₹ 20,500/- p.a. for the remaining tenure.
- Candidates pursuing science, engineering, and technology streams get ₹ 12,000/- p.a. for the initial two years and ₹ 25,000/- p.a. for the remaining tenure.
Escort Reader Assistance:
- Up to ₹ 3,000/- per month in the case of ‘Divyang’ scholars.
- At the termination of the fellowship/resignation of the scholar, the books, journals, and equipment purchased out of the contingency grant will become the institution’s property.
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| HRA |
- In case hostel accommodation is provided to the scholars by their institutions, they are eligible to draw only hostel fees, excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. If a scholar refuses the hostel accommodation, they can not draw HRA.
- If no hostel accommodation is available, the scholar may get a single room from the host institution. In this case, the rent paid by the scholar on an actual basis will be reimbursed. However, it is subject to the ceiling of HRA as per Govt. of India norms.
- If the scholar makes their own accommodation arrangements, they are entitled to draw HRA as per the ceiling and categorization of cities by the Govt. of India. If the scholar wants to draw HRA, they are required to submit a certificate in the prescribed format to their institution.
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| MEDICAL ASSISTANCE |
No fixed/separate medical assistance is offered. However, the scholars may avail themselves of the medical facilities available in their institutions. |
| LEAVE |
- Earned Leave: Allowed for only 30 days in a year. This is in addition to public holidays. However, the scholars are not entitled to any other vacations.
- Maternity/paternity leave: Only as per the Govt. of India norms issued periodically shall be available for female scholars at full rates of the fellowship once during the entire tenure. The period of leave without fellowship, if any, will be counted towards the tenure.
Besides this, female scholars also get an ‘Intermittent Break’ for a maximum total period of 1 year. You can avail of this break a maximum of 3 times during the whole fellowship period. However, the total duration of the break should not exceed 1 year as no fellowship will be available for the period of such break(s). This period of intermittent breaks should also not be counted towards the tenure of the fellowship, and hence, the total period of fellowship will remain the same.
- Academic leave (without fellowship and other emoluments) will be permissible only for 1 year throughout the tenure (for any kind of academic/teaching assignment/foreign visit in connection with research work). The period of leave without fellowship shall be counted towards the tenure. Expenditure on foreign visits associated with research work cannot be claimed from UGC.
- The scholar can avail of all kinds of leave only with the due approval of their institution.
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Duration
The fellowship is awarded for a maximum of five years, starting either from April 1st of the selection year or the actual date of joining the fellowship, whichever is later. The fellowship ends when the scholar submits her Ph.D. thesis or after five years—whichever comes first. No extensions are allowed beyond this period.
Financial Assistance
- Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): ₹31,000 per month for the first two years, contingent on satisfactory progress in research.
- Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): ₹35,000 per month for the remaining tenure, also subject to satisfactory research progress.
Contingency Grant
- For Humanities and Social Sciences: ₹10,000 per year for the first two years, ₹20,500 per year thereafter.
- For Science, Engineering, and Technology: ₹12,000 per year for the first two years, ₹25,000 per year thereafter.
Additional Support
- Escort Reader Assistance: ₹3,000 per month for differently-abled (Divyang) scholars.
- Hostel and Rent Assistance: Scholars may be eligible for hostel accommodation or a reimbursement of rent based on government norms, provided certain conditions are met.
- Medical Assistance: Scholars can access medical facilities available at their host institutions, though no specific medical allowance is provided.
Leave Entitlements
- Earned Leave: A maximum of 30 days per year, excluding public holidays.
- Maternity/Paternity Leave: Female scholars can take maternity leave once during the fellowship at full fellowship rates. This leave, however, is deducted from the fellowship tenure.
- Intermittent Break: Female scholars can avail a total of one year of break, which can be split into up to three instances during the fellowship. These breaks will not extend the tenure.
- Academic Leave: Scholars may take up to one year of academic leave for assignments, teaching, or research abroad, although this period is without fellowship payments.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Single Girl Child: Only girls who are the only child in their family or are fraternal twins are eligible.
- Full-Time Ph.D. Enrollment: The fellowship is available only to students enrolled in full-time Ph.D. programs at recognized universities, colleges, or institutes. Applications from part-time or distance learning students are not eligible.
- Age Limit:
- General Category: Up to 40 years of age.
- SC/ST/OBC/PWD (Persons with Disabilities): Up to 45 years of age.
- Institution Responsibility: Both the scholar and the institution must ensure that all eligibility criteria and fellowship guidelines are met.
Exclusions
- If a family has more than one son and one daughter, the girl is not eligible for the fellowship.
- The fellowship is not available to students enrolled in part-time or distance education Ph.D. programs.
Application Process
Applications for the fellowship are accepted once a year through an online portal. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the application process:
- Step 1: Review the Guidelines
Before starting your application, carefully read the guidelines available on the official UGC website: UGC Fellowship Guidelines.
- Step 2: Registration
- On the UGC portal, click on “New User” to register.
- Provide your email address for communication and upload a passport-sized photograph and signature (size up to 1MB, jpg format).
- Complete your registration and click Submit.
- Step 3: Login
After registration, you will receive login credentials via email. Use these to log in and change your password upon first use.
- Step 4: Eligibility Verification
Read the eligibility criteria and confirm by checking the relevant box to proceed.
- Step 5: Upload Required Documents
- Affidavit from your parents (on ₹100 stamp paper) proving you are a single girl child, attested by an SDM, First-Class Magistrate, or Tahsildar.
- Ensure your documents (less than 1MB) are ready for upload.
- Step 6: Application Details
Complete your educational and research details, and submit your Research Proposal and Abstract (up to 5MB and 1MB, respectively).
- Step 7: Declaration
Review the declaration, agree to the terms, and submit your application. Ensure you save a copy for your reference.
Documents Needed for Application
- A scanned copy of your passport-sized photograph and signature (1MB, JPG).
- A detailed Research Proposal (up to 5MB) and Abstract (up to 1MB).
- An Affidavit (₹100 stamp paper) proving you are a single girl child, signed by your parents or guardian, and attested as required (less than 1MB).
- A printed copy of the application, signed by the Head of Department (HoD) or Registrar of your institution.
Note: No hard copies of the application will be accepted. All submissions must be made through the online portal.
By offering this fellowship, the UGC aims to foster an inclusive academic environment that supports single girls in advancing their education and contributing meaningfully to research in India. If you meet the eligibility criteria, this could be a unique opportunity to receive both financial support and recognition for your scholarly pursuits.
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