₹37,000 per month (JRF) for first 2 years; ₹42,000 per month (SRF) for next 3 years
Duration
5 Years (2 years as Junior Research Fellow, 3 years as Senior Research Fellow)
Deadline
Twice annually (typically June and December exam cycles)
Level
PhD / Research
Acceptance
Highly Competitive
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary
Aimed at indian phd candidates and doctoral researchers, UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is a fully funded scholarship for study in India. The award covers Monthly stipend for 5 years, HRA for housing, annual contingency grants for research expenses, and institutional overheads. and is open to phd / research students studying humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, and technology. The scholarship runs for 5 years (2 years as junior research fellow, 3 years as senior research fellow) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on indian nationals under 30 years of age (with relaxations) holding a Master's degree and ranking in the top percentiles of the National Eligibility Test. The application deadline is Twice annually (typically June and December exam cycles), with an acceptance rate of approximately Highly Competitive. Applicants are encouraged to review the official eligibility criteria carefully before starting their application.
✨ Should I Apply for UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
6/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
20-35 hrs
Time Required
Approximately 1% of total exam takers qualify for JRF
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
₹37,000 per month (JRF) for first 2 years; ₹42,000 per month (SRF) for next 3 years
⏳
Duration
5 Years (2 years as Junior Research Fellow, 3 years as Senior Research Fellow)
📅
Deadline
Twice annually (typically June and December exam cycles)
🔬
Fields
Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering, and Technology
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 8,000 to 10,000 per year across all subjects
🌏
Study Country
India
🏛️
Provider
University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India
📊
Acceptance
Highly Competitive
The UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) is a scheme intended to provide financial assistance to students who have qualified in the National Eligibility Test (NET) to pursue full-time research leading to M.Phil./Ph.D. degrees. It is one of India's most prestigious fellowships for doctoral scholars, covering all major disciplines in Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
👥 Who Should Apply
Indian nationals under 30 years of age (with relaxations) holding a Master's degree and ranking in the top percentiles of the National Eligibility Test.
🏛️ Host University
Any UGC-recognized University or Institution in India
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Education, Government of India
🔬 Fields of Study
Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering, and Technology
✨ Key Benefits
Monthly stipend for 5 years, HRA for housing, annual contingency grants for research expenses, and institutional overheads.
Approximately 5,000 to 7,000 per cycle based on cut-offs
Winners
Highly Competitive
Acceptance Rate
Approximately 1% of total exam takers qualify for JRF
Competition Level
Win Probability
50%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
No (Tuition is usually paid to the university, but the stipend covers all living costs)
Living Stipend
₹37,000 to ₹42,000 per month plus House Rent Allowance (HRA)
Total Award
₹37,000 per month (JRF) for first 2 years; ₹42,000 per month (SRF) for next 3 years
✈️ Travel: Covers research-related travel through the annual contingency grant🏠 Accommodation: Yes (HRA is provided at 8%, 16%, or 24% based on the city of residence)💊 Health Insurance: Medical facilities provided as per institutional norms of the host university🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: ₹1,150 (General), ₹600 (OBC-NCL/EWS), ₹325 (SC/ST/PwD)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
No (Tuition is usually paid to the university, but the stipend covers all living costs)
🏠 Living Stipend
₹37,000 to ₹42,000 per month plus House Rent Allowance (HRA)
🏡 Accommodation
Yes (HRA is provided at 8%, 16%, or 24% based on the city of residence)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Covers research-related travel through the annual contingency grant
💊 Health Insurance
Medical facilities provided as per institutional norms of the host university
🎁 Other Benefits
Annual contingency grant (₹10,000 for Humanities/Social Sciences; ₹12,000 for Sciences for JRF), Escort/Reader assistance for PwD candidates
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Progress is reviewed annually; promotion from JRF to SRF requires a recommendation from a three-member committee after 2 years.
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Master's degree with 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD/Third Gender) and qualifying the UGC-NET or CSIR-NET exam.
🎓 Academic Level
PhD / Research
📊 Minimum GPA
55% marks in Master's degree (No specific GPA conversion provided)
🗣️ English Requirement
None (Exam is available in English and Hindi)
🍢 Age Limit
30 years for General; 35 years for Women, SC/ST, OBC-NCL, and PwD candidates
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Not required
💰 Financial Need
No (Selection is based strictly on academic merit in a competitive exam)
🎯 Target Students
Indian PhD candidates and doctoral researchers
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
No
Rec Letters
No (Only required during institutional admission for PhD)
Indian nationals under 30 years of age (with relaxations) holding a Master's degree and ranking in the top percentiles of the National Eligibility Test.
This scholarship covers: Monthly stipend for 5 years, HRA for housing, annual contingency grants for research expenses, and institutional overheads.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Twice annually (typically June and December exam cycles). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Approximately 1% of total exam takers qualify for JRF. Acceptance rate: Highly Competitive. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, None (Exam is available in English and Hindi), No (Only required during institutional admission for PhD) recommendation letters, CV. Check official website for the complete list.