If you belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and planning to do M.Phil or Ph.D, then NFST Fellowship 2026 can really support you.
This is not a small scholarship. It is proper monthly fellowship like UGC-NET JRF level. Serious support.
As of February 13, 2026, the new cycle is expected to open soon.
So better you understand everything now.
What Is NFST Fellowship?
NFST stands for National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes.
It is a central government scheme to support ST students who are:
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Doing M.Phil
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Or doing Ph.D
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In recognized universities
The goal is simple — help ST scholars complete higher research without financial pressure.
📅 Expected Timeline for 2026
Based on latest updates, here is expected schedule:
| Milestone | Expected Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | April – May 2026 |
| Application Period | May – June 2026 |
| Selection Process | July – September 2026 |
| Award Announcement | October 2026 |
Official notification will likely come through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs portal or via National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Do not wait for last week. Portal gets heavy traffic.
✅ Eligibility Criteria (Very Important)
Read this carefully.
✔ Caste Category
You must belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
Valid ST certificate required.
✔ Educational Qualification
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Must have completed Post-Graduation (PG)
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Must be registered in M.Phil or Ph.D in recognized university
Without PhD/MPhil registration proof, application is incomplete.
✔ Income Limit
Annual family income should not exceed ₹6.00 Lakhs per year.
Income certificate must be latest.
✔ Age Limit
There is no upper age limit for NFST.
Yes, you read correct. No age restriction.
💰 Fellowship Benefits (Money Details)
This is where many students get confused. Let’s make it clear.
🧾 Stipend Amount
JRF (First 2 Years):
₹31,000 per month
SRF (After 2 Years):
₹35,000 per month
So total support is similar to other central research fellowships.
📚 Contingency Grant (Per Year)
For Humanities & Social Sciences:
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₹10,000 per year (JRF)
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₹20,500 per year (SRF)
For Science / Engineering / Technology:
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₹12,000 per year (JRF)
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₹25,000 per year (SRF)
This money is for books, fieldwork, research material etc.
🏠 Other Allowances
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House Rent Allowance (HRA) as per rules
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Escort/Reader allowance for specially-abled candidates
So overall, this is strong financial support.
🚀 Application Process – Step by Step
Application is completely online.
Step 1: Register on Portal
Most likely through:
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Ministry of Tribal Affairs portal
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Or National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Create your profile carefully.
Step 2: Fill Application Form
Select NFST Scheme.
Fill:
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Personal details
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Academic details
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Income details
Do not rush. Small mistake can cause rejection.
Step 3: Upload Documents
You will need:
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ST Caste Certificate
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Income Certificate
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PG Marksheet
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PhD/MPhil Registration Certificate
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Aadhaar and bank details
Scan clearly. Blurry documents create problems.
Step 4: Submit & Institutional Verification
After submission, your university must verify your application on portal.
If institute does not verify, your application stays pending.
So follow up with your department office also.
⚠ Important Things to Remember
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Income limit is ₹6 lakh — don’t ignore this
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Registration proof mandatory
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Keep bank account active
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Apply early
Many students miss deadline because they wait.
Is NFST Fellowship Worth It?
Honestly, yes.
If you are ST scholar and doing PhD, this fellowship gives stability. You can focus on research instead of worrying about money every month.
Competition is there. But if documents are correct and eligibility clear, you should definitely apply.