**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Minority Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2923, concerning stipends under the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) scheme. As of July 30, 2025, 868 scholars are currently receiving fellowships under the MANF scheme to conduct research in universities across the country. The government released ₹24 crore to the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) on July 14, 2025, and the NMDFC has disbursed fellowship amounts to all eligible existing MANF fellows, endorsed by their respective universities, up to June 2025. The response addresses concerns regarding delayed stipend payments, confirming that funds have been released to cover dues up to June 2025. The Minister of Minority Affairs providing this information is Shri Kiren Rijiju.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for minority affairs.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF): A fellowship scheme to support researchers in Universities across the country.
National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMFDC): A corporation involved in disbursing funds for the Maulana Azad National Fellowship.
SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI: Individual posing question regarding stipends under MANF
SHRI KIREN RIJIJU: The Minister of Minority Affairs answering the question.
Universities across the country: Referring to various universities located throughout India, where scholars conduct research under the MANF scheme.
December 2024: A specific timeframe during which scholars reportedly did not receive fellowship dues.
June, 2025: Denotes the time period up to which the fellowship amount has been released.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2923
ANSWERED ON 06/08/2025
STIPENDS UNDER MAULANA A ZAD NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP
2923. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of scholars who currently receive stipends under the Maulana Azad
National Fellowship (MANF) to conduct research in Universities across the country;
(b) the details and the date on which the Government had last transferred funds to the National
Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMFDC) for MANF and the quantum of
such funds;
(c) whether the Government has taken cognisance of reports of scholars not having received dues
under the fellowship since December 2024 and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) if so, whether the Government plans to take any action to address the issue; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) As on 30.07.2025, a total of 868 scholars have recently received fellowship under the
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) Scheme.
(b) to (e) An amount of Rs. 24 crore has been released vide sanction order dated 14.07.2025 and
fellowship amount has been released by NMDFC to all the eligible existing MANF Fellows
endorsed by their respective universities up to June, 2025.
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