National Fellowship for ST (NFST) — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) 2026 — ₹37,000/Month PhD Fellowship for Tribal Students | tribal.gov.in |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2007 |
| Benefit | ₹37,000/month (JRF) + ₹42,000/month (SRF) + contingency for ST students pursuing PhD/M.Phil |
| Category | Education |
| Last Verified | 16 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://scholarships.gov.in |
What is National Fellowship for ST (NFST)?
National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST) is a central government scheme under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs providing full financial fellowship to ST students pursuing M.Phil and PhD at UGC-recognised institutions. Amount: JRF ₹37,000/month (2 years) + SRF ₹42,000/month (3 years) + contingency ₹10,000/year (Humanities) or ₹12,000/year (Sciences) + HRA. Duration: 5 years. 667 new fellowships per year. Selection through UGC-NET-JRF or CSIR-NET-JRF score. Application through NSP/scholarships.gov.in or tribal.gov.in. Not combinable with any other central fellowship. Covers all disciplines. Implemented by UGC on behalf of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Primarily targeted at reducing the PhD dropout rate among tribal students by providing financial security.
Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive ₹37,000/month (JRF) + ₹42,000/month (SRF) + contingency for ST students pursuing PhD/M.Phil. The scheme was launched in 2007 and is implemented by the Government of India.
अनुसूचित जनजाति राष्ट्रीय फेलोशिप (NFST) — ST छात्रों को M.Phil/PhD के लिए ₹37,000/माह (JRF) + ₹42,000/माह (SRF)। 667 फेलोशिप/वर्ष। NET-JRF अनिवार्य। tribal.gov.in।
₹37,000/माह JRF + ₹42,000/माह SRF — ST छात्र PhD
Benefits of National Fellowship for ST (NFST)
₹37,000/month (JRF) + ₹42,000/month (SRF) + contingency for ST students pursuing PhD/M.Phil
Who is Eligible for National Fellowship for ST (NFST)?
- ✓Must belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) community with valid ST certificate
- ✓UGC-NET or CSIR-NET with JRF mandatory
- ✓Enrolled in full-time M.Phil/PhD at UGC-recognised university
- ✓Not receiving any other central scholarship simultaneously
Advertisement
Documents Required for National Fellowship for ST (NFST)
How to Apply for National Fellowship for ST (NFST) Online?
- 1Visit the official portal at https://scholarships.gov.in
- 2Click on Apply Now or Register button on the homepage
- 3Enter your Aadhaar-linked mobile number and verify OTP
- 4Fill in the online application form with required details
- 5Upload the required documents including Aadhaar and bank passbook
- 6Review all details and submit the application
- 7Note down the application reference number for future tracking
- 8Wait for verification and approval from the concerned authority
Official Government Portal
Apply directly on the official government website. This is the only authorised portal — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
🔗Apply on scholarships.gov.inFrequently Asked Questions — National Fellowship for ST (NFST)
Common Questions About Education Schemes
What is PM YASASVI Scholarship?+
It is a scholarship for OBC, EBC, and DNT students studying in Classes 9-12, selected through the YASASVI Entrance Test conducted by NTA.
How much scholarship amount is given?+
Students in residential schools/hostels get ₹75,000/year and day scholars in top-class schools get ₹25,000/year.
Which students are covered under PM POSHAN?+
All students studying in Classes 1 to 8 in government, government-aided schools, and Ashram Shalas. Bal Vatika pre-primary students are also included since 2021.
What nutrition standards apply to the mid-day meals?+
Meals must provide 450 Kcal energy and 12g protein for primary students (Class 1 to 5), and 700 Kcal and 20g protein for upper primary students (Class 6 to 8).
What scholarships are available on the National Scholarship Portal?+
Over 50 scholarship schemes from central ministries covering pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-cum-means scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, EBC, minorities, and differently-abled students.
Advertisement
Related Education Schemes
PM YASASVI Scholarship Scheme 2025
PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India provides scholarships to OBC, EBC, and DNT students for education in Classes 9-12.
PM POSHAN — Free Mid-Day Meal Scheme 2025
PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme) provides free hot cooked meals to students in government and government-aided schools to improve nutrition and boost school attendance.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 — Apply for Central Scholarships Online
The National Scholarship Portal is a one-stop platform for students to apply for all central government scholarship schemes including pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-cum-means scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, and minority students.
PM SHRI Schools Scheme 2026 — 14,500 Upgraded Schools | Smart Class + Career Counselling
PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) is a centrally sponsored scheme that upgrades 14,500 government schools across India into modern, green, and smart schools. Each selected PM SHRI school gets ₹2 crore+ for smart classrooms, digital libraries, labs, career counselling, vocational education, and NEP 2020 implementation over 5 years.