From a Village Dream to a Career in Research

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment highlighted the impact of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) through the beneficiary account of Sagar Kodi, a 30-year-old scholar. Facing financial and geographical barriers, and after missing the UGC-NET JRF qualifying mark, Sagar enrolled in a Ph.D. programme with limited university support. Financial assistance received under the NFSC scheme as Junior and Senior Research Fellowships from December 2019 to May 2024 enabled him to cover research expenses and support his family. He successfully completed his Ph.D. and is currently employed as a Research Associate at the Anthropological Survey of India, Mysore.