New Delhi, Nov 10: A 32-year-old Scheduled Caste research scholar from Darjeeling in West Bengal has received financial assistance of over ₹18.41 lakh under the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme to support his doctoral studies, an official spokesperson of Ministry of social justice told Kashmir Convener on Tuesday.
Identified as Sayan Rai (name changed), the scholar has been pursuing his PhD while facing financial difficulties in meeting academic and living expenses.
According to the PIB, Rai’s family was also supporting the education of his sibling, making it difficult to manage expenses related to accommodation, rent, electricity, books, stationery, fieldwork and travel.
Limited financial resources had also prevented him from purchasing a personal laptop, forcing him to depend on borrowed devices and university facilities. Inconsistent internet connectivity in the Darjeeling Hills further affected his access to online academic resources.
The NFSC scheme has provided him fellowship, House Rent Allowance (HRA) and contingency assistance since November 2022. The total assistance received so far stands at ₹18,41,870, the PIB said.
The financial support has enabled Rai to purchase a laptop, secure a reliable internet connection and obtain books, stationery and other research materials. It has also helped him meet expenses related to fieldwork, conference and seminar participation, registration fees and travel.
According to the spokesperson, the assistance has reduced his dependence on family support for educational and living expenses, allowing him to focus more on his doctoral research and participate in academic activities.
The NFSC scheme is intended to support Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher research studies by providing financial assistance during their doctoral programmes. (PIB)
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