UGC Extends Fellowship Dues Deadline to Jan 2025; Know How to Submit Arrear Claims

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced an extension for the deadline to claim pending dues related to post-doctoral and doctoral fellowships. The revised deadline is now set for January 8, 2025. This decision follows multiple requests from stakeholders for more time to submit claims.

A recent circular from the UGC states: “Stakeholders (HEIs and fellows) are requested to claim their pending dues, i.e., fellowship/ house rent allowance/ contingency, by January 8, 2025, on the Scholarship Fellowship Management Portal (SFMP). Further, it has been decided that no exception request with respect to the scholars registered/ joined as JRF on or before 31.12.2018 will be considered after December 31, 2024. The provision to apply for an exception request on the Scholarship Fellowship Management Portal (SFMP) for such scholars shall be removed on 01.01.2025.”

Eligibility Criteria for UGC Fellowships 2024

• The fellowship scheme aims to support SC/ ST candidates in pursuing postdoctoral research across various disciplines, including Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and Humanities and Social Sciences, at Indian institutions. According to the UGC, applicants must hold a doctorate in the relevant field, preferably with published research.
• The age limit for male candidates is capped at 50 years as of July 1 of the application year, while female candidates may apply up to 55 years.
• Age relaxations may be considered in exceptional cases, as outlined in the notification.

Previously, the UGC had extended the deadline for pending claims to October 8, 2024, in a July notification. In addition to these extensions, the commission has also increased the amounts for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Senior Research Fellowship (SRF), and Post-Doctoral Fellowship, with the revised rates effective from January 1, 2023.