**Policy Summary: House Rent Allowance Parity for Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scholars**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2762, raised on August 6, 2025, regarding disparities in House Rent Allowance (HRA) provided to scholars under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) compared to those under the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) schemes. The question specifically inquired about the existence of such disparities, the reasons for them, and the government's intention to establish parity in HRA and related benefits.
The response from the Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, clarifies that instructions have already been issued to implement revised HRA rates under MANF, effective January 1, 2024, aligning them with Government of India norms. Consequently, the Ministry asserts that there is no longer a disparity in HRA provided to MANF scholars compared to UGC JRF and SRF scholars.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for minority affairs.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF): A fellowship program for minority students in India.
University Grants Commission (UGC): A statutory body established by the Indian Union government for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of university education in India.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF): A research fellowship provided by UGC.
Senior Research Fellowship (SRF): A research fellowship provided by UGC.
House Rent Allowance (HRA): An allowance provided to employees or scholars to cover accommodation expenses.
Kiren Rijiju: The Minister of Minority Affairs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2762
ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025
DISPARITY IN HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE
2762. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there is disparity in House Rent Allowance (HRA) provided to scholars
under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) as compared to those under the UGC Junior
Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) schemes and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the details of reasons for this disparity, especially considering that all these scholars are engaged
in similar academic and research pursuits and ought to be treated equally; and
(c) whether the Government intends to bring parity in HRA and related benefits for MANF scholars
in line with UGC JRF/SRF scholars and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed for its
implementation?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (c): The Ministry has already issued instructions to implement revised rates of House Rent
Allowance (HRA) under MANF w.e.f. 01.01.2024 as per the norms of Government of India. As such,
there is no disparity in HRA provided to scholars under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship
(MANF) as compared to those under the UGC Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior
Research Fellowship (SRF) schemes.
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