UGC NET JRF SRF Fellowship Amount increases to 31000 and 35000; HRA also added

UGC has increased the JRF and SRF fellowship amounts. As per latest notice by University Grants Commission, candidates with JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) will get ₹ 31000 pm, and those with SRF (Senior Research Fellowship) will get ₹ 35000 pm. Earlier, the fellowship amounts were ₹ 25000 pm and ₹ 28000 pm respectively.

This hike of 24% and 25% for junior and senior fellows comes as a result of discussion held by the Commission in its 539^th meeting held in February. The amounts will be applicable wef 01.01.2019 on Science, Humanities, and Social Sciences fellowship awardees.

In India, JRF is awarded on basis of UGC’s National Eligibility Test held. Whereas NTA UGC NET is conducted for Humanities and Social Sciences, Joint CSIR UGC NET is held for Science subjects. Both the exams are held twice in a year for eligible candidates.

For fellowship holders, HRA is applicable at revised rates of 8%, 16%, 24% as per GOI norms, applicable in city or location where they are working. Previously, HRA was not available to fellows.

Other aspects of UGC JRF SRF Fellowship amount and conditions shall remain unchanged, and will be applicable as per UGC XII Plan JRF Guidelines.

Hike In Monthly Stipends Over The Years

Take a look at how the monthly stipends have changed in past decade for research scholars in the country.

– JRF or Junior Research Fellowship is awarded to candidates who qualify UGC NET with requisite marks and commence PhD.
– SRF or Senior Research Fellowship is awarded to candidates who have completed 2 years in PhD studies and their research is found satisfactory.
– RA or Research Assistantship is provided to post-doctoral fellows.

In order to provide more benefits to researchers, government has also decided to incentivize research output in form of patents and publications. All modalities of implementation shall be done by an inter-ministerial empowered committee that will, from time to time, examine all fellowship related matters.

Bonus and leave travel concession, retirement benefits are not applicable on JRF and SRF fellows. In terms of leaves, they are eligible for casual leave. However Ras are entitled to leaves as per rules of host institution.

When JRF, SRF, RAs attend scientific events and workshops in India as well as abroad, it shall be treated as on duty, subject to approval of host institute. Travel entitlement in such cases shall continue to be as before that is by second AC by rail.

Hike in UGC NET JRF SRF fellowship amount has met with mixed reaction from different quarters. While some are elated with the decision, others feel the hike should have been at least 56%.

Let us know your views. What do you think about the UGC JRF SRF Fellowship Amount hike of 2019?