UGC offers ₹3,100 per month to first and second undergraduate rank holders pursuing their first full-time postgraduate degree.
About University Grants Commission
The University Grants Commission (UGC), under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, has introduced the Post Graduate Scholarship for University Rank Holders scheme to encourage meritorious undergraduate students to pursue postgraduate studies.
The scheme seeks to attract talented students towards higher education, reward academic excellence, promote study in basic subjects at the undergraduate level, and build academic excellence at the postgraduate level.
About the Opportunity
The Post Graduate Scholarship for University Rank Holders scheme provides financial assistance to students who secure First Rank or Second Rank at the undergraduate level and subsequently pursue a regular, full-time Master’s Degree programme in a recognized institution in India.
The scheme is intended for students pursuing their first postgraduate degree and covers specified basic subject streams. Professional courses are not covered.
Scholarship Amount
- ₹3,100 per month.
- Scholarship is provided for a maximum period of two years.
- The scholarship covers the full duration of the approved postgraduate course, subject to the maximum tenure.
- Scholarship is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- No additional assistance is provided for hostel fees, medical expenses, or other incidental charges.
- Students receiving this scholarship are not debarred from accepting other scholarships.
Number of Scholarships
- Total Scholarships Available: 3,000.
- Duration: Two years.
- The scholarship is not extendable beyond the approved tenure.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must satisfy the following conditions:
- Must have secured First Rank or Second Rank at the undergraduate level.
- Must have obtained at least 60% marks in the undergraduate examination.
- Must have secured admission to a regular, full-time Master’s Degree programme.
- Must be pursuing their first postgraduate degree.
- Must not be more than 30 years of age at the time of admission to the postgraduate course.
- Must study in a recognized University, Deemed University, Private University, Autonomous College, or Postgraduate College.
- The undergraduate degree must be in one of the following streams:
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Commerce
- Languages
Exclusions
The scholarship does not cover:
- Students pursuing distance education programmes.
- Students enrolled in professional courses.
- Students pursuing a second postgraduate degree.
- Students who do not satisfy the rank and minimum marks criteria.
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Application Procedure
Applications are submitted online through the National Scholarships Portal.
New Registration
- Complete the registration process using the applicant’s mobile number and OTP.
- Accept the terms and undertaking after reading the registration guidelines.
- Complete the e-KYC process, as applicable.
- A reference number will be generated after successful verification.
Payment Tracking
Students can track the status of scholarship payments through the “Know Your Payment” facility of the Public Financial Management System using their Aadhaar number, bank account number, or NSP Application ID.
The National Scholarships Portal will provide the timelines for opening and closing of the application portal.
Applications are verified at two levels: first by the institute where the student is studying and thereafter by the concerned State Higher Education Department or another agency or official nominated as the State Nodal Agency.
Students are required to submit renewal applications within the prescribed cut-off date. Missing the deadline will result in renewal not being allowed for that year.
The scholarship application and payment process is subject to verification and approval under the applicable scholarship procedures.
