The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which is part of the Government of India, has established National Fellowships and Scholarships for Higher Education ST students 2025 to help the students pursue higher education. The program’s goal is to encourage Scheduled Tribe (ST) students to seek higher education and professions in professional and research domains. India’s Ministry of Tribal Affairs is offering the National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST) 2025–2026 program. There are 2 main schemes under this scholarship, the National Fellowship Scheme and the National Scholarship Scheme. Keep reading this article to know more about the National Fellowships and Scholarships for Higher Education ST students 2025.
About National Scholarship Portal
The Indian government created the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), an online application and awarding platform, to make it easier for students to apply for and receive scholarships. In addition to other institutions like UGC and AICTE, it serves as a single point of access for a variety of scholarship programs provided by various ministries and departments of the federal and state governments. Online registration, scholarship applications, and application status tracking are all available to students. NSP reduces redundancy and streamlines the application process by integrating many scholarship programs.
Also Read: NSP OTR Registration
Key Highlights of National Fellowship and Scholarship
| Name of the scholarship | National Fellowship and Scholarship |
| Launched by | Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India |
| Beneficiaries | Student of ST and SC category |
| Objective | To provide financial assistance to the students |
| Benefits | Fellowship and scholarships will be provided to ST students |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | National Scholarship Portal Website |
National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students
This fellowship is intended for students who wish to pursue M.Phil. or Ph.D. courses after completing their Master’s degree. Selected students will receive an annual contingency grant of up to ₹25,000 in addition to a fellowship of up to ₹35,000. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ National Fellowship Scheme is a Central Sector program designed to give financially deserving Scheduled Tribe students the opportunity to pursue post-graduate degrees (Master’s degree) and then further their education (M.Phil or Ph.D.).
Eligibility Criteria
- Belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and be an Indian national.
- be no older than 36 on July 1st of the fellowship’s post-graduation year, and
- They must have enrolled in one of the colleges listed.
- Colleges, universities, and institutes covered by UGC Act sections 2(f) and 12(B) or 2(f) and 12(B).
- Universities deemed to be included under Section 3 of the UGC Act of 1956 is qualified to obtain a UGC grant-in-aid.
- Colleges, universities, and institutes that get funding from the federal or state governments
- Institutes of National Importance as designated by the Indian government’s Ministry of Higher Education.
- Candidates must receive at least 55% of the possible points on their final test or PG-level grade.
Financial Benefits
| Course | Stream | Monthly Scholarship | Annual Contingency | Monthly House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Escort Allowance |
| M.Phil. degree | Humanities & Social Sciences/Engineering Technology/Science | ₹31,000 | ₹10,000 | Equal to UGC rates (8% or 16% or 24% based on city of residence) | A monthly escort allowance of ₹2,000 for Divyang students only at par with UGC rates |
| ₹12,000 | |||||
| Ph.D. degree | ₹31,000 for the first two years and ₹35,000 for the remaining 3 years | ₹20,500 | |||
| ₹25,000 |
Required Documents
- Latest colored passport-size photograph
- ST/PVTG certificate issued by the competent authority
- 10th /Matriculation/equivalent certificate in support of date of birth
- Divyangjan certificate issued by the competent authority
- Post-Graduation mark sheet [Aggregate marks in %] /equivalent % marks in case of CGPA (Conversion formula from CGPA to percentage, which was issued by the Institute/University to be produced.)
- Admission/Joining certificate of M.Phil/Ph.D / Integrated M.Phil+Ph.D from the University concerned.
- Offer of admission in respect of students admitted to IITs/AIIMS/IIMs/IISERs.
Also Read: NSP Scholarship Status
No of Fellowship
There will be 750 new fellowships available each year for M.Phil., M.Phil. + Ph.D., and Ph.D. The number of fellowships not used during that year will be carried over to the following academic year if there are not enough Scheduled Tribe candidates. The number of places is not limited by state or university.
Tenure of Fellowship
- For M.Phil. students, the scholarship would last for two years, and for M.Phil. + Ph.D. or Ph.D. students, it would last for five years.
National Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students
To encourage deserving ST students to pursue graduate and postgraduate studies in prestigious universities chosen by the Ministry in professional domains as management, medicine/science, social science, engineering and technology, humanities, and law, among others. 100% of ST students enrolled in courses and institutions authorized and announced by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs are covered by this Central Sector Scheme, which is entirely sponsored by the Ministry. If the student performs satisfactorily as determined by the institute, the scholarship will be provided for the duration of the course.
Eligibility Criteria
- ST students who have been accepted into the authorized courses and notified institutions by the Ministry will qualify for the program’s stipend.
- Students who receive this award are not eligible to receive funding for the same study under any other Center or State Government scholarship program.
- The length of the course varies depending on the candidate’s choice. Once granted, the scholarship will last until the end of the course, provided that the student performs well as determined by the Institute.
- For the student to be eligible for this scholarship, their annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs. 6.0 lakh.
Important Dates
| Events | Date |
| Scheme Open from | 02-06-2025 |
| Student Application Open till | 31-10-2025 |
| Defective Application Verification Open till | 15-11-2025 |
| Institute Verification Open till | 15-11-2025 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification Open till | 30-11-2025 |
Financial Benefits
| component | Details | Remarks |
| Tuition fees and Admission fees | Full admission fees, tuition fees, and other non-refundable charges concerning Government Institutions | There will be a ceiling of ₹2,50,000 per annum per student for private-sector institutions |
| Books and Stationery | ₹5,000 per annum | For students without bills/vouchers |
| Stipend | ₹3,000 per month | — |
| Computer and Accessories | ₹45,000 (One-time assistance during the course tenure) | Computer & accessories may be desktop/laptop etc. (without bills/vouchers) |
Required Documents
- The Caste Certificate is required to be signed and stamped by a competent authority.
- For fresh candidate: Income Certificate for the F.Y preceding the year of selection issued by designated authority by the respective state/UT.
- student’s name on the passbook should match the name as mentioned in the application form
- For fresh candidates: Graduate level course: 12th standard
- Postgraduate level course: Graduation
- For renewal Candidate: Last passing [semester] marksheet
- Bona fide Certificate issued by the Institute
Selection Process
The following are the selection criteria under this plan.
- The Institute will verify the application form.
- The institute will authenticate the information.
- The application will then be evaluated, considering how many spots are available for each category.
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ website will host the list of applicants chosen for the scholarship award.
Also Read: Shapoorji Pallonji Scholarship for PG Students
National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students Apply Online
The steps listed below must be followed by all interested candidates who wish to apply for a National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education.
- First, go to the National Scholarship Portal Website.
- The main page will show up before you.
- Click the “New Registration” option on the site.
- A brand-new webpage will appear before you.
- You must carefully read all the terms and conditions here. Click the “Continue” option now.
- You will be presented with the registration form. You must fill out the forms with all the information, including
- Category of State Scholarships
- The student’s name and scheme type
- Gender and mobile number
- Bank IFSC code
- bank account number
- Email Address
- Details of identification
- After entering the OTP, select Register.
- This makes applying for the National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education simple.
Renewal Process
- First, go to the National Scholarship Portal’s official website.
- The main page will show up before you.
- Click the Login option on the homepage.
- Next, choose the year and the Renewal Login.
- It will open a new login form.
- Put in your password and application ID.
- Click the Login option now.
- Choose the option to renew your application now.
- The form for renewal will open.
- Fill out the form with the renewal information.
- Upload the relevant files.
- Click the Submit option now.
Important Downloads
Helpline Number
- E-Mail: helpdesk[at]nsp[dot]gov[dot]in
- Phone No: 01206619540
FAQs
What is the National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which is part of the Government of India, has established National Fellowships and Scholarships for Higher Education ST students 2025 to help the students pursue higher education.
Who can apply for this scheme?
The program’s goal is to encourage Scheduled Tribe (ST) students to seek higher education and professions in professional and research domains
What are the benefits of this program?
Encouraging Scheduled Tribe (ST) students to pursue higher education and professions in professional and research domains is the scheme’s goal.