From Financial Assistance to Academic Excellence

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment highlighted the impact of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme through the case of Minakashi, a 36-year-old PhD research scholar from Karimnagar, Telangana. Belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, Minakashi faced financial instability and barriers that hindered her higher education aspirations. Between 2022 and 2025, she received Rs. 11 lakh in financial assistance under the NFSC Scheme, allowing her to complete her PhD, overcome economic constraints, build academic confidence, and inspire other students from disadvantaged communities to pursue advanced education.