Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF): Guide for Minority Research Scholars

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) is a prestigious scheme launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. It aims to provide integrated five-year fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students belonging to notified minority communities to pursue higher education such as M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees in Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Commerce.

What is this scheme?

The MANF is designed to support students from minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, and Jain) who are not covered under any other fellowship scheme of the UGC or CSIR. It acts as a primary financial support system for research scholars, ensuring they can focus on academic excellence without financial constraints.

Who is eligible?

• Candidate must belong to one of the notified minority communities: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, or Jain.
• Candidate must be registered for regular and full-time M.Phil/Ph.D. courses in a University/Academic Institution recognized by the UGC.
• The candidate must have secured a minimum of 50% marks at the Master's level.
• The annual income of the candidate's parents/guardian should not exceed the limit specified by the Ministry (verify current limit on official portal).
• Candidates must have qualified the CBSE-NET or CSIR-NET exams as per latest guidelines.

How much money?

The fellowship amount is aligned with the rates of the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) of the UGC. As per latest notification, verify on official portal for current monthly stipends and contingency grants.

Documents needed

1. Community Certificate (Minority Certificate)
2. Self-declaration of family income
3. Post-Graduation Marksheet and Degree Certificate
4. Admission letter for M.Phil/Ph.D. from a recognized University
5. Copy of NET/CSIR-NET result
6. Aadhar Card / Identity Proof
7. Bank Account Details (linked to Aadhar)

How to apply (step by step)

1. Register and apply online through the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or the designated UGC portal when the notification is live.
2. Upload all necessary documents including the minority community certificate and income proof.
3. Ensure your research supervisor and university head verify the application through the portal.
4. Wait for the merit list to be published based on the criteria set by the Ministry and UGC.
5. Once selected, the fellowship amount will be disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the scholar's bank account.

Important dates

Conclusion

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship is a cornerstone for minority research scholars in India. By reducing the financial burden of higher education, it empowers students to contribute to the nation's research and development. Prospective applicants should stay updated with the National Scholarship Portal to ensure they do not miss the application window.