Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students 2026

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) is a prestigious financial assistance program designed for students from notified minority communities. It provides a platform for researchers to pursue higher education, specifically M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees, across recognized Indian universities and institutions.

Administered through the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Minority Affairs, this fellowship aims to bridge the gap in higher education. It ensures that meritorious students from diverse backgrounds can contribute to India's intellectual capital without financial constraints.

What is this scheme?

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship is a five-year fellowship program that supports students from six notified minority communities: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, and Jain. It is modeled after the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) schemes to provide uniform financial aid for research candidates.

Recipients are selected based on their performance in national-level eligibility tests like UGC-NET or CSIR-NET. The fellowship covers a wide range of subjects across Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Engineering. By providing a monthly stipend and annual contingency grants, the scheme fosters a culture of research and innovation among minority youth in India.

Objective

To provide integrated five-year fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students from minority communities to pursue higher studies such as M.Phil and Ph.D. It aims to increase the representation of minority scholars in research and academia.

Key features

• Integrated five-year fellowship for M.Phil and Ph.D.
• Covers Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Commerce.
• Exclusively for notified minority community students.
• Selection linked to UGC-NET or Joint CSIR-UGC-NET qualifying scores.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to student bank accounts.
• Reservation for women and persons with disabilities as per norms.

Financial benefits

The fellowship provides a monthly stipend starting at ₹31,000 for the first two years (JRF), increasing to ₹35,000 for the remaining three years (SRF). Additionally, scholars receive contingency grants and House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per prevailing government rates.

Who is eligible?

• Candidate must belong to a notified minority community (Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Parsi, or Jain).
• Must be admitted to a regular, full-time M.Phil or Ph.D. course in a recognized university.
• Must have cleared UGC-NET, Joint CSIR-UGC-NET, or equivalent exams.
• Annual family income must not exceed ₹6 Lakh from all sources.
• Candidate should not be receiving any other scholarship or fellowship for the same course.
• Must have secured minimum 55% marks in Post-Graduation.

Required documents

• ☑ Aadhaar card
• ☑ Minority Community Certificate
• ☑ Income Certificate from competent authority
• ☑ Post-Graduation Marksheet (55% minimum)
• ☑ Admission letter for M.Phil/Ph.D.
• ☑ UGC-NET/CSIR-NET result card
• ☑ Disability certificate (if applicable)

How to apply — step by step

1. Visit the official UGC or National Scholarship Portal (NSP) website.
2. Register as a new user by providing basic details and a valid email.
3. Login and search for the Maulana Azad National Fellowship section.
4. Fill in the application form with personal, academic, and income details.
5. Upload scanned copies of the required documents including minority and income certificates.
6. Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
7. The university will verify the application data before final selection by the UGC/Ministry.
8. Track the merit list and fellowship status on the official portal.

Important dates

Important links

Conclusion

The Maulana Azad National Fellowship remains a cornerstone for minority empowerment in Indian academia. By removing financial barriers, it allows bright minds to focus on research that can shape the nation's future. If you are a minority student pursuing a Ph.D., ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and keep your documents ready for the next application cycle. Stay updated with the latest changes in fellowship policies and deadlines by signing up on YojanaRadar for real-time alerts and comprehensive guides on government schemes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for MANF if I am already receiving a state scholarship?

Is the fellowship available for distance learning or part-time Ph.D.?

What is the duration of the fellowship for Ph.D. scholars?

Is there an income limit for the Maulana Azad National Fellowship?

How is the selection made for MANF?