**Executive Summary**
This document outlines the National Fellowship Scheme (NFS) for ST Students, detailing budget allocations and disbursements for financial years 2023-24 to 2025-26. The scheme's application portal operates from July 1st to September 30th, with verification and merit list publication taking 2-3 months. Fellowship fund release is contingent on student compliance and fund availability. Grievances are managed through the CPGRAMS/PG Portal.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scheme Overview:** The National Fellowship Scheme (NFS) is implemented for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
* **Budget and Disbursement:**
* 2023-24: Budget allocation of ₹230 Cr, disbursed ₹230 Cr.
* 2024-25: Budget allocation of ₹240 Cr, disbursed ₹240 Cr.
* 2025-26: Budget allocation of ₹220 Cr, disbursed ₹199.76 Cr (as of March 9, 2026).
* **Application Process:**
* The online portal for applications opens on July 1st and closes on September 30th of each academic year.
* Application verification and the release of a merit list of 750 selected candidates typically take 2-3 months after the closing date.
* The merit list is uploaded on the Ministry's website.
* **Fellowship Fund Release:**
* Processing of fellowship funds is subject to students completing necessary compliance, including submission of joining reports, linking bank accounts, and providing continuation certificates.
* Release of fellowship amounts is also dependent on the availability of funds under the scheme's budget head.
* **Grievance Redressal:**
* Complaints and grievances related to scholarship schemes are handled through the CPGRAMS/PG Portal.
* Grievances are disposed of within the prescribed timeline.
* The average disposal time for scholarship scheme grievances (including NFST) from April 1, 2025, to March 9, 2026, is detailed.
* **Student Research Completion:** Data is provided on the number of students completing their courses/research for the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26 (as of March 9, 2026).
* **Fellowship Quota:** 750 fellowships are awarded annually for a period of 5 years, with potential extensions.
* **Award Data:** State/UT wise numbers of NFST awards are provided for the selection years 2020-21 to 2024-25.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students**
* **Impact:** Students are eligible for fellowships under the NFS for ST Students, which supports their higher education research. The timeliness of fund release is dependent on their compliance and fund availability. The application and selection process has defined timelines.
* **Action Required:** Students must adhere to application deadlines, complete all required documentation and compliance procedures (joining report, bank account linking, continuation certificate), and monitor the Ministry's website for merit lists and updates. They should also utilize the CPGRAMS/PG Portal for any grievances.
**Ministry of Tribal Affairs**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for the implementation, budget allocation, fund disbursement, and oversight of the NFS for ST Students. They manage the application portal, verification process, and grievance redressal mechanisms.
* **Action Required:** Continue to process applications, verify eligibility, publish merit lists, manage budget allocations and fund releases, and ensure timely disposal of grievances according to the prescribed timelines and availability of funds.
**Rajya Sabha**
* **Impact:** Members of the Rajya Sabha receive information and updates on the National Fellowship Scheme for ST Students, including data on awards, budget, and disbursements, in response to questions raised.
* **Action Required:** Review the provided data and information regarding the NFS for ST Students.
Key Entities Referenced
National Fellowship Scheme for ST students: The primary scheme discussed in the document, aimed at providing fellowships to Scheduled Tribe students.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The government body responsible for the National Fellowship Scheme and the issuer of this policy document.
CPGRAMS/PG Portal: The platform used for receiving and disposing of complaints and grievances related to scholarship schemes.
Rajya Sabha: The parliamentary body to which the information regarding the scheme was presented.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
NFS FOR ST STUDENTS
Posted On: 11 MAR 2026 5:31PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri. Durgadas Uikey today informed Rajya Sabha that the year-
wise and State/UT wise number of fellowships awarded under the National Fellowship Scheme for ST
students during the last five years is placed at Annexure–I.
The budget allocation and fund released under this scheme during last two financial year and current
year(as on date) is given below:-
Amount in Cr.
Financial Year Budget Disbursement
allocation(RE)
2025-26 220 199.76(as on date 09.03.2026)
2024-25 240 240
2023-24 230 230
Under the National Fellowship scheme online portal for inviting applications generally opens on 1st July
and closes on 30th September of the academic year. Thereafter, verification of applications is carried out
and further merit list of 750 selected candidates are uploaded on the Ministry's website which normally
takes 2–3 months. Subsequently, the release of fellowship funds is processed, subject to completion of
necessary compliance by students such as submission of joining report, linking of bank account,
continuation certificate etc. The release of fellowship amount to students are also subject to availability of
funds under the scheme budget head.
Complaints/grievances relating to the scholarship schemes are received through the CPGRAMS/PG Portal
and all grievances are disposed of within the prescribed timeline. The average disposal time of
CPGRAMS related to scholarship schemes is given in the table below:-
CPGRAMS/PG Portal Report for all scholarship Grievances
(including NFST scheme)
Period of Report: 01/04/2025 to 09/03/2026
Name Brought Received Disposed Average Disposal
Forward During During DaysScholarship and 3 792 786 2
DBT
Technical queries regarding application process and routine inquiries regarding the scheme are also
received through the Fellowship Portal which are attended to and replied. The number of scholars
completing their courses/research during the last three years and current year(as on 09.03.2026) is
indicated in the table below.
Financial Year No of Students completing Research*
2022-23 105
2023-24 294
2024-25 156
2025-26(as on 09.03.2026) 106
* 750 fellowships are given every year for a period of 5 years (which may get extended beyond 5 years)
The data on representation of Schedule Tribe Researchers in higher Education is not maintained by this
Ministry. Annexure-I
Annexure to be referred in the part (a) of the reply of Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2225 dated
11.03.2026 asked by Shri Madan Rathore, Shri ChunnilalGarasiya, Dr. Parmar JashvantsinhSalamsinh and
Shri SadanandMhaluShetTanavade regarding “NFS for ST Students”.
State/UT Wise Number of NFST Award during the selection year 2020-21 to 2024-25
State 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024-
21 22 23 24 25
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 0 0 1 0 0
ANDHRA PRADESH 19 9 18 14 13
ARUNACHAL PRADESH 41 39 28 55 58
ASSAM 56 55 51 50 53
BIHAR 5 5 2 2 3
CHHATTISGARH 25 42 32 35 33
DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN 0 1 0 0 0
AND DIUGOA 0 0 2 0 1
GUJARAT 57 31 34 29 25
HIMACHAL PRADESH 17 14 12 8 10
JAMMU AND KASHMIR 32 22 22 19 71
JHARKHAND 24 20 16 21 23
KARNATAKA 71 67 45 47 38
KERALA 4 3 5 4 1
LADAKH 19 19 19 9 7
LAKSHADWEEP 1 0 0 0 2
MADHYA PRADESH 8 14 10 14 13
MAHARASHTRA 27 15 30 21 19
MANIPUR 38 33 45 34 35
MEGHALAYA 38 32 47 44 39
MIZORAM 77 104 78 104 83
NAGALAND 45 46 66 70 66
ODISHA 15 35 59 82 40
PUDUCHERRY 0 0 1 0 0
RAJASTHAN 22 35 31 18 28
SIKKIM 5 5 8 4 3
TAMIL NADU 5 7 4 5 6
TELANGANA 61 52 34 26 39
TRIPURA 13 8 18 12 13UTTARAKHAND 9 3 6 3 3
UTTAR PRADESH 0 2 4 8 6
WEST BENGAL 16 32 22 12 19
TOTAL 750 750 750 750 750
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