Context:
Researchers and doctoral students from about 30 universities across the country have written separate letters to Union Minority Affairs Minister to increase the scholarships under Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF).
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Maulana Azad National Fellowship Overview:
Objective:
- The primary goal of the Maulana Azad Fellowship Scheme (MANF) is to offer five-year fellowships in the form of financial assistance.
Eligible Minority Communities:
- The fellowship targets students from six specified minority communities recognized by the Central Government: Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi, and Sikh.
- Designed to support their pursuit of M.Phil and Ph.D. degrees.
Inclusive Educational Institutions:
- The scheme encompasses all Universities/Institutions acknowledged by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- Inclusive of Central/State Universities, Deemed Universities, Institutions fully funded by the State/Central Government empowered to grant degrees, and Institutions of National Importance as identified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Scope of Fellowship:
- The fellowship is tailored for minority community students engaged in regular and full-time research studies leading to the conferment of M.Phil/Ph.D. degrees, limited to institutions within India.
Employability Enhancement:
- Aims to enhance employability for fellowship recipients, making them eligible for positions requiring M.Phil and Ph.D. qualifications, including Assistant Professors in various academic institutions.
Implementing Agency:
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) serves as the pivotal agency responsible for the implementation of this fellowship.
