Research scholars from Scheduled Tribe communities in India are facing long delays in getting money from the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST). Many students from the -25 batch have not received any money almost a year after starting their PhD work.
New Delhi, 10 Sep 2025
Research scholars from Scheduled Tribe communities in India are facing long delays in getting money from the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST). Many students from the 2024-25 batch have not received any money almost a year after starting their PhD work.
Why the delay in fellowship funds?
The Tribal Affairs Ministry said they ran out of money because they increased the fellowship amount to 37,000 rupees. They asked for 220 crore rupees more, which they got last month. Officials say the pending money should come in 10 to 15 days. Some students from the 2023-24 batch have not got money for about seven months. This is making it hard for them to do their research work.
How are students affected?
Students are using their own money or borrowing to do their work. Rohan Meena, a Physics PhD student, spent 30,000 rupees on lab equipment. Lalhmingsanga Chinzah, a Botany PhD student, had to borrow money for field trips. The All India Research Scholars Association wrote to the government asking for quick payment of pending money. They also want a system to handle complaints about fellowship issues.
The NFST Fellowship is a lifeline for tribal research scholars who are striving to build careers in higher education and research.
The Tribal Affairs Ministry plans to increase the number of scholarships from 750 to 1,000 in the next five-year cycle. Follow The Rising News for more verified updates.
Updated 11 Sep 2025, 02:14 IST; source: link
