From Financial Challenges to an Academic Career: How NFSC Support Empowered Dr Janaki Sundararajan

This Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment release highlights the impact of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme through the personal journey of Dr. Janaki Sundararajan from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. Dr. Janaki faced financial barriers, difficulties in accessing research materials, and challenges in covering academic expenses during her Ph.D. from 2019 to 2024. After receiving a Senior Research Fellowship of ₹35,000 per month starting in September 2019 under the NFSC Scheme, she overcame financial stress, managed research-related expenses, completed her doctoral studies, and currently works as a Guest Teacher at The Gandhigram Rural Institute.