Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students

Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students was a central government scheme that provided financial support to scholars from minority communities for pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in India. The Ministry of Minority Affairs has discontinued this scheme from 2022-23 onward due to overlap with other fellowship programmes. Existing fellows will continue to receive payments till the end of their tenure.

Important Notice: This scheme has been closed by the government from 2022-23. No new applications are being accepted. Students from minority communities can apply for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) through UGC-NET or CSIR-UGC NET, which are open to all categories including minorities.

Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students - Overview

Launched in 2009 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, this fellowship supported students from six notified minority communities - Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, and Zoroastrian (Parsi) - to pursue M.Phil. and Ph.D. research in recognised universities across India. The scheme covered central and state universities under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act with valid NAAC accreditation, deemed universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, government-funded institutions authorised to award degrees, and institutes of national importance.

Key Information

Revised Fellowship Rates (Effective January 1, 2023)

The fellowship rates were revised in February 2024 to align with UGC norms. The updated monthly amounts for existing fellows are:

For example, if a Ph.D. student in Social Sciences completes the first two years, the monthly fellowship increases from the Junior rate to the Senior rate, and the annual contingency grant also goes up to support research costs.

Eligibility (For Reference - Scheme Closed to New Applicants)

The original eligibility criteria for the fellowship were:

• Belong to one of the six notified minority communities: Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Sikh, or Zoroastrian (Parsi)
• Qualify UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC NET examination for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
• Not have received any other fellowship for the same course
• Not be a permanent employee of any university, college, or government body
• Only two students from a single family could avail benefits

Application Process (Scheme Closed)

When the scheme was active, applications were linked to the UGC-NET or CSIR-UGC NET examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Candidates had to select the JRF option while applying for these tests. After qualifying and receiving the award letter, they had to join their M.Phil. or Ph.D. programme within the stipulated timeframe and claim the fellowship within three months of receiving the award letter. The official portals were nta.ac.in for UGC-NET and csirhrdg.res.in for CSIR-UGC NET.

Documents Required for Continuing Fellows

Existing fellows must submit the following documents periodically to continue receiving payments:

• Continuation Certificate: Submit every three months in the prescribed format
• Progress Report: Submit after completing one year, detailing research achievements
• Contingency Accounts: Submit expenses related to contingency grants using prescribed Annexure-IV
• HRA Certificate: Provide House Rent Allowance declaration in official format where applicable

References

Official Discontinuation Notice (Ministry of Minority Affairs)

Discontinuation Notice (NMDFC)

OM on Fellowship Rate Revision (February 2024)

Frequently Asked Questions (Official)

NMDFC MANF Scheme Page

Ministry of Minority Affairs - MANF Page

FAQ's

Is the Maulana Azad National Fellowship still accepting new applications?

No, the scheme has been discontinued from 2022-23. The Ministry of Minority Affairs issued an official notice stating that due to overlap with UGC-NET JRF, CSIR-UGC NET JRF, and National Fellowship schemes for SC/OBC, the MANF scheme will not accept new applicants.

What happens to students who already received the fellowship?

Existing MANF fellows will continue to receive their fellowship till the end of their approved tenure (up to 5 years for Ph.D.), subject to compliance with guidelines. Payments are made only through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System.

What are the current fellowship amounts for existing fellows?

As per the revision effective January 1, 2023, Junior Research Fellows receive ₹ 37,000 per month and Senior Research Fellows receive ₹ 42,000 per month. Contingency grants are ₹ 10,000/₹ 20,500 per year for humanities and ₹ 12,000/₹ 25,000 per year for science streams.

Where can minority students apply for research fellowships now?

Minority students can apply for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) through UGC-NET or CSIR-UGC NET examinations, which are open to all categories including minorities. These are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

How can existing fellows check their payment status or raise grievances?

Existing fellows can contact NMDFC at manfnmdfc@gmail.com or call 14402. The Scholarship Fellowship Management Portal (SFMP) is used for updating community data and tracking payments.

Was there any revision in fellowship rates recently?

Yes, in February 2024, the Ministry of Minority Affairs revised the MANF fellowship rates to align with UGC norms as per Department of Science & Technology and Ministry of Education guidelines. The revised rates are effective from January 1, 2023.

Can I still download my award letter if I was selected earlier?

Yes, existing fellows can download their award letters from the NMDFC portal at manf.nmdfc.secureecertificate.com/candidateLogin.php using their credentials.