**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1452 regarding the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (NFSC) and National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes (NFOBC) schemes. It outlines the number of scholarships awarded nationally and in Odisha, the disbursement timeframe, and measures to enhance transparency and address grievances. The question was due to be answered on December 9, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Scholarship Statistics:**
* The document includes an annexure detailing the number of NFSC and NFOBC scholarships awarded nationally and in Odisha for the past five years (2020-21 to 2024-25).
* **Fellowship Disbursement:**
* Fellows can claim fellowship amounts between the 1st and 15th of each month under both schemes.
* The Nodal Bank (Canara Bank) generates fellowship claims.
* The fellowship amount is disbursed within one week of the claim generation.
* **Transparency and Grievance Redressal:**
* All processes for NFSC and NFOBC schemes are managed through the Scholarship and Fellowship Management Portal (SFMP).
* Fellows can track their fellowship disbursement status on the SFMP.
* Candidates can submit queries/grievances via the SFMP, CPGRAMS, or email.
* Grievances are addressed within a prescribed timeframe.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Scholarship Recipients (Fellows)**
* **Impact:** Fellows can now easily raise fellowship claims and track the status of their disbursement through the SFMP. They also have multiple channels for grievance submission, which should lead to quicker resolution of their concerns.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the SFMP to track fellowship disbursement status and to raise any queries or grievances related to the scholarship.
**Stakeholder: Canara Bank (Nodal Bank)**
* **Impact:** Canara Bank is responsible for generating fellowship claims and managing the SFMP. This involves additional administrative and management duties.
* **Action Required:** Ensure efficient generation and disbursement of fellowship claims within the specified timeframe and ensure proper management of SFMP.
Key Entities Referenced
National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (NFSC): A national fellowship scheme for Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher education.
National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes (NFOBC): A national fellowship scheme for Other Backward Classes students pursuing higher education.
Odisha: Indian state where scholarships are awarded under the National Fellowship schemes.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for the National Fellowship schemes.
Scholarship and Fellowship Management Portal (SFMP): Online portal used for managing the NFSC and NFOBC schemes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOKSABHA
UNSTARRE,D QUESTION NO.1452
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2025
NATIONAL I'ELLOWSHIP FOR SCHEDULED CASTE
1452. SHRI BAIJAYAtr{T PANDA:
Witl the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state3
(a) the number of scholarships awarded nationally and in Odisha under the National
Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (NFSC) and National Fellowship for Other Backward
Classes (NFOBC) schemes;
(b) the average time taken to disburse scholarships poslapplication; and
(c) the measures put in place to enhance transparency and address grievances in the
disbursement process?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a): The number of scholarships awarded Nationally and in Odisha under the National
Fellowship for Scheduled Castes (NFSC) and National Fellowship for Other Backward
Classes (NFOBC) scheme for the last five years is at Annexure.
(b): Under both the schemes, the fellow can raise the fellowship claim between lst to 15th
of every month. The fellowship claims are generated by the Nodal Bank i.e Canara Bank, and
thereafter, the fellowship amount is disbursed within one week.
(c): To ensute transparency in the implementation of the NFSC and NFOBC Schemes, all
processes are carried out through the dedicated Scholarship and Fellowship Management
Portal (SFMP) being managed by the Canara Bank. Fellows can track the status and
movement of their fellowship disbursement tlrough the Scholarship and Fellowship
Management Portal (SFMP). In addition, in case of any query/grievance, the candidates
submit their grievance through the SFMP, CPGRAMS, or email. All such grievances are
addressed within the prescribed timeframeANNEXT]RE
This Annexure referred to in part (a) ofLok Sabha Unstarred Question no.1452 due for answer on 09.12.2025
Number of scholarship awarded Nationally and in Odisha state under Nf,'SC and NFOBC Scheme during the last five years
2020-21 202t-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Scheme Nationally Odisha Nationally Odisha Nationally Odisha Nationally Odisha Nationally Odisha
National
Fellowship 396t 123 3706 108 3608 107 4166 106 4143 84
for SCs
National
Fellowship t233 47 133 8 58 1570 70 2009 7t 2197 72
for OBCs