Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child is currently open for applications through University Grants Commission (UGC), giving money support to only-girl children who are doing full-time PhD research in Indian universities. Under the revised rates that took effect from 1 January 2024, selected scholars now get ₹37,000 per month for the first two years as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and ₹42,000 per month after that as Senior Research Fellow (SRF).
Applications for this fellowship are invited once every year through the official portal at frg.ugc.ac.in. Only a single girl child (with no brothers or sisters) can apply, and part-time or distance-mode PhD candidates are not covered under this scheme. Total tenure is up to five years or till PhD thesis submission, whichever is earlier.
Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child 2026
SJSGC is run by UGC under the Department of Higher Education and was launched in memory of social reformer Savitribai Phule and her husband Jyotirao Phule. It supports higher education of a single girl child in social sciences, humanities, science and other streams so that families that have only one daughter are also encouraged to promote her research career.
As per UGC rules, a single girl child means the only daughter of her parents with no siblings. Twin daughters or fraternal daughters (born to the same parents in one delivery or two) are also treated as single girl children and can apply. Number of slots given each year depends on the total eligible applications received on the portal.
Main aims of this scheme are:
- Support higher education of single girl children in social sciences and other subjects so that they can complete their PhD without money worries.
- Encourage the small family norm and give respect to families having only a daughter.
- Increase the presence of women scholars in Indian universities and research institutes across the country.
Fellowship Amount and Other Benefits
Fellowship is paid from 1 April of the selection year or the actual date of joining, whichever is later. It runs for a maximum of five years or till PhD thesis submission. Payment happens directly into the scholar's bank account through DBT after Aadhaar seeding.
Money support under the revised UGC rates (effective 1 January 2024) is as follows:
| Grant Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| JRF (first 2 years) | ₹37,000 per month |
| SRF (remaining 3 years) | ₹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/Engineering/Tech (JRF) | ₹12,000 per year |
| Contingency for Science/Engineering/Tech (SRF) | ₹25,000 per year |
| Escort/Reader support (for PwD scholars) | ₹3,000 per month |
Along with the monthly stipend, scholars also get House Rent Allowance (HRA) at 8%, 16% or 24% of the fellowship amount, as per Government of India rules for that city. Those staying in an institutional hostel can claim actual hostel fees instead of HRA. Medical benefits are not paid as a fixed amount; scholars are advised to use the medical services of their host institution.
Scholars are allowed 30 days of earned leave per year, plus maternity or paternity leave as per government rules. An intermittent break of up to one year, maximum three times during the tenure, is also allowed if the host institution approves it in writing.
Highlights of SJSGC Scheme
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Fellowship for Single Girl Child (SJSGC) |
| Launched By | University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education |
| Eligible People | Single girl child PhD scholars in Indian universities |
| JRF Amount | ₹37,000 per month (first 2 years) |
| SRF Amount | ₹42,000 per month (remaining tenure) |
| Total Tenure | Up to 5 years or till thesis submission |
| Application Mode | Online at frg.ugc.ac.in |
| Official Website | ugc.gov.in and frg.ugc.ac.in |
Eligibility for SJSGC Fellowship
Before applying, please check whether you meet all the conditions of this scheme:
1. You must be the only girl child of your parents (no brothers or sisters). Twin girls or fraternal daughters born to the same parents are also treated as eligible.
2. You should be doing a regular, full-time PhD in a recognised Indian university, college or research institute.
3. 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 the online application.
4. Both you and your host institution have to make sure that all rules of the fellowship are followed during the research period.
Who Cannot Apply
Girls who have brothers or sisters are not eligible for this scheme. Also, PhD registration done through distance mode, open university, or part-time basis is not covered. If you are already getting any other Government of India fellowship for the same PhD work, you cannot claim SJSGC at the same time.
How to Apply Online for SJSGC
Complete application process is online through the UGC Fellowship and Research Grant portal (frg.ugc.ac.in). Follow these steps carefully so that your form does not get rejected on technical grounds.
STEP 1 - Visit the official portal at frg.ugc.ac.in and click on 'New User Registration'. Enter a working email ID because all future communication, including your login details, will come to this email only.
STEP 2 - Fill in your basic profile details and upload a passport size photo and your scanned signature. Both files should be in JPG format and each within 1 MB size.
STEP 3 - Check your email for the temporary login credentials sent by UGC. Login to the portal and change the temporary password to a new one of your choice.
STEP 4 - Go to your dashboard and open the SJSGC application form. Fill in your academic details including PG marks, PhD registration date, university name and research topic.
STEP 5 - Upload your research proposal (max 5 MB) and short abstract (max 1 MB). Also upload the ₹100 stamp paper affidavit that confirms your single girl child status, duly attested by an SDM, Tahsildar or First Class Magistrate.
STEP 6 - Take a printout of the auto-generated application form and get it signed by your Head of Department (HOD) or Registrar. Then submit the final form online and save a copy for your records.
Documents Required for Application
Please keep these documents ready in soft copy before you start filling the online form:
- Recent passport size photo and scanned signature in JPG format (each within 1 MB size).
- Research proposal document (max 5 MB) and a short abstract of the proposal (max 1 MB).
- Legal affidavit on ₹100 stamp paper, attested by SDM or First Class Magistrate, proving your single girl child status.
- Signed printout of the auto-generated application form from your HOD or Registrar.
Official Contact and Helpline
If you face any technical problem while applying or need any clarification about the scheme, you can contact the UGC helpline. UGC helpline numbers are 011-23604446 and 011-23604200. You can also write to webmaster.ugc.help@gmail.com for support. For complete rules, please read the official scheme guidelines PDF and the SJSGC user manual on frg.ugc.ac.in.
Along with SJSGC, school-going girl students of Class 6 to 12 can also look at the CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship Scheme for study-related money support at the school level.
FAQ's
Is the fellowship guaranteed once I apply?
No, sending the application does not mean you will get the fellowship. UGC first checks your eligibility, documents and PhD registration. Final selection is done based on available slots that year.
Can part-time or distance PhD candidates apply?
No, only regular full-time PhD scholars registered in a recognised Indian university are eligible. Distance mode, open university and part-time PhD are not covered under SJSGC.
What is the new fellowship amount from 2024?
As per the revised UGC rates from 1 January 2024, JRF is ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and SRF is ₹42,000 per month for the remaining tenure. Contingency and HRA are paid extra.
Is there any application fee?
No, the entire online application on frg.ugc.ac.in is free. Only the ₹100 stamp paper affidavit is a small one-time cost that you have to arrange yourself.
Are twin girls eligible for SJSGC?
Yes, twin daughters or fraternal daughters (born in one or two deliveries to the same parents) are also treated as single girl children and can apply.
What is Aadhaar seeding for this scheme?
Aadhaar seeding means linking your Aadhaar number with your bank account so that UGC can send the fellowship money directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Whom to contact for help?
You can call the UGC helpline on 011-23604446 or 011-23604200, or write to webmaster.ugc.help@gmail.com for any technical or scheme-related help.