NFSC Fellowship

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment highlights the role of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) scheme through the educational journey of Dr Shrikant Dilip Khandare from Solapur, Maharashtra. Dr Khandare pursued doctoral research focusing on sustainable solutions for environmental challenges such as plastic waste and pollution. Facing financial uncertainty and constraints that threatened his doctoral continuation after qualifying for the CSIR-UGC NET, he received financial assistance under the NFSC scheme starting October 2019. The support, totaling ₹9.90 lakh including fellowship and House Rent Allowance, enabled him to overcome economic barriers, continue his research, and successfully complete his Ph.D.