Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship For Single Girl Child

Let’s understand what this scheme is all about.

Details

The University Grants Commission (UGC) offers a scholarship scheme for female students admitted in the first year of postgraduate (PG) courses at any designated university or postgraduate college, provided they are the only girl child in their family. The fellowship amount is ₹36,200 per annum for the full duration of the PG course. This scheme aims to offset the direct costs of education for single girl children and to promote the importance of small family norms.

Objectives of the Scheme:

a) To support the postgraduate education of single girl children in PG courses. b) To acknowledge the importance of small family norms.

Application Process:

Eligible candidates must apply online through the National Scholarship Portal once the application process is announced on the UGC website. Each year, 3,000 new scholarships will be awarded and disbursed annually via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Benefits:

Nature of Assistance Available Under the Scheme:

• Amount of fellowship: ₹36,200 per annum for two years, covering the entire duration of a PG course.
• 3,000 fresh scholarships awarded annually, paid via DBT.

Note: No additional grants are provided for hostel charges, medical expenses, etc.

Eligibility:

1. The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
2. The applicant must be the only girl child in her family.
3. Girls without any brothers, or twin/fraternal daughters, are eligible to apply.
4. The applicant should be no older than 30 years at the time of admission to the first year of the PG course.
5. The applicant must have enrolled in a regular, full-time first-year Master’s Degree course at any designated university or postgraduate college.
6. The candidate should be pursuing a non-professional course and attending regular classes at a recognized institution.
7. The applicant must not be pursuing education through distance learning mode.

Exclusions:

1. Admission to PG courses through distance education is not eligible under this scheme.
2. Deemed universities that do not receive funds from the Central/State Government are ineligible.
3. If a family has both a son and a daughter, the girl child will not qualify for the scholarship under this scheme.

Application Process

Online Procedure for Applying:

Step 1: Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria must apply online through the National Scholarship Portal after the application process is initiated and a notice is published on the UGC website.

Step 2: The host institution where the candidate is studying must verify the online application.

Step 3: Institutions where students are admitted to the first year of PG courses are expected not to charge tuition fees from girl students pursuing PG degree courses.

Notes:

1. Applications are invited once a year through the National e-Scholarship Portal of the Government of India.
2. Short notifications will also be uploaded on the UGC website.
3. Incomplete applications will be summarily rejected. Only verified online applications will be considered for the award of scholarships.
4. An affidavit regarding single girl child status must be uploaded as per the format given in Annexure-II.
5. A joining report as per the format in Annexure-I must be uploaded.

Documents Required:

To be Submitted by the Student:

1. Aadhaar Card
2. Proof of admission into a recognized Master’s degree course in an institute located in India and recognized by the UGC
3. Joining report (as per format given in Annexure-I)
4. Affidavit regarding single girl child status (as per format given in Annexure-II)
5. Copy of the Bank Passbook
6. Birth Certificate or Class 10th Marksheet

To be Submitted by the Institution:

1. A progress report after the completion of the first year, along with the percentage of marks obtained by the candidate.
2. A funds utilization certificate to be submitted by the institution authorities after the completion of the first year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Should the candidate select “Scholarship” or “Incentive” when applying under the scheme?

A1: The candidate must select “Incentive” to apply under the scheme.

Q2: Is a girl child with a brother in the family eligible for the scholarship?

A2: No, only single girl children are eligible. However, twin or fraternal daughters can apply.

Q3: Can a candidate who was within 30 years of age at the time of PG admission but has crossed this limit at the time of application be eligible?

A3: Yes, the candidate is eligible if she was below 30 years of age on the last date of application.

Q4: Can a single girl child pursuing post-graduation through distance mode apply under the scheme?

A4: No, the scheme does not cover distance education mode.

Q5: After selection, is the awardee entitled to hostel fee reimbursement, HRA, or medical expenses?

A5: No, the awardee is only entitled to the scholarship amount. No additional grants for HRA, contingency, hostel fee, or medical expenses are provided.

Q6: Are the awardees eligible for a waiver of tuition fees or its reimbursement?

A6: No, tuition fee reimbursement is not allowed. However, institutions are expected not to charge tuition fees from girl students admitted to first-year PG courses.

Q7: Can students in their second year of post-graduation apply under the scheme?

A7: No, only first-year postgraduate students are eligible to apply.

Q8: Can the awardee avail any other scholarship scheme during the tenure of this award?

A8: Yes, this incentive can be availed alongside any other scholarship scheme.