ST Research Scholars Struggle as National Fellowship Delays Stall Funding

Fast Summary

• Research scholars from Scheduled Tribe communities have reported critically important delays and irregularities in receiving funds under the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST).
• The Union Ministry of tribal Affairs attributed these delays to an increase in scholarship amounts,resulting in exhaustion of funds allocated for the NFST scheme from 2021-26. Additional funding was sanctioned last month, and pending disbursements are expected within 10-15 days.
• scholars from recent batches face challenges due to delayed fellowship payments-2024-25 batch scholars have yet to receive their first instalment even after almost a year into their PhD work, while the 2023-24 batch reports a backlog as January 2025.
• These delays have forced tribal PhD students to use personal resources for essential research needs, such as conference fees, lab equipment purchases, and field research costs. Some report borrowing money to continue their academic work.
• The All India Research Scholars Association (AIRSA) has demanded immediate release of pending fellowship amounts along with a streamlined disbursal process and grievance redressal mechanism via formal communication with the Ministry officials on September 10, 2025.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The controversy surrounding delayed NFST fellowships highlights key challenges in higher education funding for marginalized groups like Scheduled Tribes in India. While the increase in scholarship amounts demonstrates a positive intent toward supporting tribal scholars financially, poor planning regarding budget amendments has created severe disruptions during critical stages of academic work.

The financial strain faced by researchers points toward structural inefficiencies that require urgent attention-not merely through budget allocation but also through mechanisms ensuring timely fund disbursement and accountability within administrative processes. Establishing systems such as dedicated grievance redressal could help bridge gaps between policymakers and beneficiaries.

Long-term implications include potential setbacks for equitable development goals targeting increased portrayal of tribal communities in academia and research fields-a domain where inclusivity is much needed for IndiaS progression both socially and economically.

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