Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences was a scholarship scheme of the University Grants Commission (UGC) for girls who are the only child in their family. It gave monthly financial support to single girl children doing PhD research in social sciences at Indian universities and institutions. UGC started this scheme in 2014-15 to support higher education of girls and to encourage the small family norm.
Update for readers: UGC has closed this scheme. Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship was stopped in 2019 and replaced by Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC) in 2022. SJSGC is the current fellowship of UGC for single girl children doing full-time PhD research, and it now covers all subjects, not just social sciences. Selected scholars get ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and ₹42,000 per month after that. For complete details, check the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child article.
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences - Introduction
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences was launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to promote higher education of single girl children. The scheme supported PhD scholars in social sciences by helping them manage the direct costs of their doctorate. Girls who are the only child in their family were the main target of this scheme.
The main objectives of this scheme were:
- Give financial encouragement to a single girl child doing research in social sciences.
- Support the small family norm in society.
- Recognize and appreciate the status of a single girl child.
- Spread awareness about the concept of single child families.
Eligible candidates were girls who secured admission in a regular, full-time PhD program in social sciences and were the only girl child of their parents, without any siblings. Twin daughters or one of two fraternal daughters were also treated as eligible for this support.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Education and Learning |
| Eligible People | Single girl child PhD scholars in social sciences |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | Yes |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Education |
| Nodal Department | University Grants Commission |
| Current Status | Closed in 2019, replaced by SJSGC in 2022 |
| Official Website | ugc.gov.in |
Benefits
Since the Swami Vivekananda scheme is now closed, new applicants can get the fellowship under SJSGC. Under the revised UGC rates that took effect from 1 January 2024, selected scholars get the following amounts:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| JRF (first 2 years) | ₹37,000 per month |
| SRF (remaining tenure) | ₹42,000 per month |
| Contingency for Humanities/Social Science (JRF) | ₹10,000 per year |
| Contingency for Humanities/Social Science (SRF) | ₹20,500 per year |
| Contingency for Science (JRF) | ₹12,000 per year |
| Contingency for Science (SRF) | ₹25,000 per year |
| Escort/Reader support (PwD scholars) | ₹3,000 per month |
Earlier, under Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship, the monthly fellowship was ₹25,000 for the first two years and ₹28,000 for the remaining tenure, with a contingency grant of ₹10,000 and ₹20,500 per year respectively. These old rates are not valid now.
Tenure, HRA, and Leave
The fellowship runs for a maximum of 5 years or until PhD thesis submission, whichever comes first. Scholars staying in a hostel can claim hostel fees excluding mess and utility charges. Those living in rented accommodation can claim House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per government norms. Relevant certificates like Annexure-VI of the Swami Vivekananda guidelines have to be submitted to the institution to process these claims.
Scholars get 30 days of earned leave per year. Maternity leave can be taken once during the tenure at full fellowship rates. Academic leave for research or teaching is allowed for one year without fellowship emoluments.
Eligibility
Under the current SJSGC scheme, eligibility is open to any single girl child doing a full-time PhD in any stream or subject in a recognized Indian university, college or institute. Conditions to keep in mind:
- Candidate must be the only girl child in the family, without any brother or sister. Twin daughters or fraternal daughters are also eligible.
- PhD must be in regular, full-time mode. Distance learning and part-time PhD are not covered.
- Age limit is up to 40 years for general category and up to 45 years for SC/ST/OBC and PwD candidates, as on the last date of application.
- Transgender candidates can apply as per official guidelines.
Application Process
Applications for SJSGC are invited once every year through the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal at frg.ugc.ac.in. Short notification is uploaded on the UGC student fellowship page and in leading newspapers. Complete application steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Visit the official UGC portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and click on 'New User Registration'. Enter a working email ID because all future communication and login details will come to this email.
STEP 2 - Fill in basic profile details and upload a passport size photo and scanned signature in JPG format, each within 1 MB size.
STEP 3 - Login with the temporary credentials sent by UGC on email and change the password. Open the SJSGC application form from the dashboard.
STEP 4 - Fill in academic details like PG marks, PhD registration date, university name and research topic. Upload the research proposal and short abstract.
STEP 5 - Upload the ₹100 stamp paper affidavit that confirms single girl child status, attested by an SDM, Tahsildar or First Class Magistrate. Take a printout of the form, get it signed by the Head of Department or Registrar, and submit the final form online.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready in soft copy before starting the online application:
- Aadhaar Card and proof of identity.
- Proof of age like birth certificate or class 10th marksheet.
- Graduation and post-graduation mark sheets and certificate of PhD admission.
- Affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper confirming single girl child status, attested by SDM or First Class Magistrate.
- Caste certificate and PwD certificate, if applicable.
- Recent passport size photograph and scanned signature.
Definitions
Indian Universities/Colleges/Institutes refer to institutions included under sections 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act, 1956, deemed universities under section 3 of the UGC Act, institutes and colleges funded by central or state governments, and institutes of national importance.
References
UGC Fellowship for Single Girl Child - Official Page
Download SJSGC Guidelines (2022)
Download Swami Vivekananda Fellowship Guidelines
Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
FAQ's
Is Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship still running?
No. UGC stopped this scheme in 2019. In 2022, it was replaced by Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC), which is the current fellowship for single girl children doing full-time PhD research.
What is the selection procedure after applying?
An expert committee constituted by the Commission reviews all applications and makes recommendations. Final results are published on the UGC website, and the award letter can be downloaded from the portal. If already receiving another fellowship, the candidate has to surrender that award to accept this one.
When can a selected candidate join the fellowship?
The candidate should join within 3 months of the date of the award letter. If not joined within this period, the award is canceled.
Can a scholar accept any other fellowship or hold a job?
No. While holding this award, the scholar should not accept any other fellowship or receive a salary or stipend from another source, except during the approved one-year academic leave.
What is the procedure to leave research mid-way?
Resignation has to be submitted through the university or institute to the designated agency, keeping the UGC office informed. The grant is released only up to the date of resignation.
Under what conditions can UGC cancel the fellowship?
UGC may terminate the award if the scholar is found ineligible, provided false information, engaged in misconduct, failed to make satisfactory research progress, or received funding from another source at the same time.