Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 21st August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report details the successful academic journey of Dr. Paramananda Naik, who overcame financial and social barriers through the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students. Between 2016 and 2019, the fellowship provided critical monthly financial support that enabled Dr. Naik to complete his Ph.D. in Anthropology and secure a position as an Assistant Professor at Utkal University. The document illustrates the transformative impact of timely educational assistance in fostering professional excellence among scholars from marginalized communities.
Key Points / Main Content
Background and Challenges
Dr. Paramananda Naik, a 35-year-old from the Scheduled Caste (PANO) community, faced significant financial hardships as a second-generation learner.
Limited resources created barriers to meeting doctoral expenses such as books, accommodation, field visits, and research activities.
Social and educational barriers included restricted access to quality higher education and limited academic exposure.
Financial Assistance under UGC-RGNF-SC
Dr. Naik received the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students from 2016 to 2019.
The fellowship provided financial support of ₹16,000 per month, which reduced financial stress and allowed for full focus on research.
The funding covered essential academic expenses and overall educational development during his doctoral studies.
Academic and Professional Achievements
Supported by the fellowship, Dr. Naik successfully completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology.
He secured a regular appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
The transition from student to professor has provided economic stability and the ability to support his family while mentoring future students.
Impact Analysis
Dr. Paramananda NaikImpact:
The fellowship facilitated his transition from financial hardship to academic excellence, allowing him to complete his Ph.D. and achieve professional stability as an Assistant Professor. It empowered him to contribute to society through research, teaching, and mentoring.
Action Required:
Dr. Naik continues to engage in teaching and mentoring students while contributing to the field of Anthropology.
Students from Marginalized CommunitiesImpact:
The success story serves as a demonstration of how government-funded fellowships can help overcome structural and financial barriers to higher education.
Action Required:
Aspiring scholars from similar backgrounds can utilize educational fellowships to fulfill academic aspirations and build careers in higher education.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment / UGCImpact:
The document validates the effectiveness of the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship in creating socio-economic advancement and supporting the completion of doctoral research for Scheduled Caste students.
Action Required:
No specific new action is mentioned, but the document highlights the ongoing necessity of providing timely financial assistance to ensure inclusive access to research opportunities.
Key Entities Referenced
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students: A financial assistance scheme (UGC-RGNF-SC) providing monthly stipends to scholars from marginalized communities for doctoral research.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The nodal ministry responsible for implementing welfare schemes and educational fellowships for Scheduled Caste students.
Dr. Paramananda Naik: A scholar from the Scheduled Caste (PANO) community whose academic success serves as a primary case study for the fellowship's impact.
Utkal University, Bhubaneswar: The academic institution where the beneficiary completed his Ph.D. and currently serves as an Assistant Professor in Anthropology.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
From Financial Hardship to Academic
Excellence: How the Rajiv Gandhi National
Fellowship Supported Dr. Paramananda Naik's
Journey in Anthropology
प्रव तथ: 21 AUG 2026 5:26PM by PIB Delhi
For students from socially and economically marginalized communities, limited financial resources and
restricted academic exposure can create significant barriers to pursuing advanced education and research.
Timely fellowship support can enable aspiring scholars to continue their studies, undertake meaningful
research and build careers in higher education.
Demonstrating the transformative role of educational assistance, Dr. Paramananda Naik, a 35-year-old
scholar belonging to the Scheduled Caste (PANO) community, overcame financial and social barriers to
complete his Ph.D. in Anthropology and become an Assistant Professor in the Department of
Anthropology at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
Coming from a socially and economically marginalized background, Dr. Naik faced considerable financial
hardship while pursuing higher education. Limited economic resources made it difficult for him to meet
expenses related to books, accommodation, field visits, research activities and other requirements of his
doctoral studies.
As a second-generation learner from his community, he also encountered social and educational barriers,
including limited academic exposure and restricted access to quality higher education and research
opportunities. Despite these challenges, he remained determined to pursue advanced studies and establish
himself as a teacher and researcher in Anthropology.
With strong family support and personal determination, Dr. Naik continued his academic journey with the
aspiration of contributing to society through teaching, research and the study of Anthropology.A turning point came when Dr. Naik received assistance under the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship
for Scheduled Caste Students. Under the UGC-RGNF-SC, he received financial support of ₹16,000 per
month from 2016 to 2019.
The fellowship provided crucial assistance for his academic expenses, fieldwork, research activities and
overall educational development. By reducing financial stress, it enabled him to focus fully on his doctoral
research and higher studies.
With the support of the fellowship, Dr. Naik successfully completed his Ph.D. in Anthropology. His
academic journey subsequently led him to secure a regular position as an Assistant Professor in the
Department of Anthropology at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
Today, he is actively engaged in teaching, research and mentoring students while contributing to academic
and social development. His professional progress has brought significant economic stability and
strengthened his ability to support his family.
The fellowship played an important role in Dr. Naik's educational, professional and socio-economic
advancement. It not only supported the completion of his doctoral research but also created a strong
foundation for his career in higher education.
According to Dr. Naik, 'The fellowship reduced my financial stress and enabled me to focus fully on my
research and higher studies. It helped me complete my Ph.D. and build a career as a teacher and researcher
in Anthropology.'
Dr. Paramananda Naik's journey highlights how timely financial assistance can help students from
marginalized communities overcome structural barriers and fulfil their academic aspirations. From facing
financial hardship during higher education to serving as an Assistant Professor, his story reflects
determination, the value of family support and the empowering role of educational fellowships in creating
pathways to academic and professional success.
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