Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates (UGC)

What is the Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates?

Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates is a scholarship scheme of the University Grants Commission (UGC), which functions under the Ministry of Education. The fellowship gives unemployed women who already hold a PhD an opportunity to carry out independent research, and is aimed particularly at women whose academic careers were interrupted by family or other responsibilities.

According to UGC, the scheme addresses a well-documented gap: a large share of women complete a doctorate but drop out of research careers before securing a permanent academic position. By funding a fixed post-doctoral tenure, the fellowship keeps trained women researchers active in the academic system and improves their chances of moving into regular teaching or research jobs.

Key features

• A research fellowship aimed only at women candidates.
• A fixed tenure of 5 years, with no extension.
• Restricted to candidates who are unemployed when they take up the award.
• Tenable at any university or UGC-recognised research institution.
• Monthly fellowship, annual contingency and House Rent Allowance are paid at rates notified by UGC and routed through the host institution.

Who is eligible for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates?

You can apply if:

• You are a woman candidate.
• You hold a PhD degree (the degree must already be awarded).
• You are below 55 years of age as on the last date of application. SC, ST, OBC and persons with disability receive age relaxation as per UGC norms.
• You are unemployed at the time of taking up the fellowship.
• You have written consent from a host institution where the research will be carried out.

You cannot apply if:

• You are a man, the scheme is exclusively for women candidates.
• You are already in a regular salaried job, or hold any permanent teaching or research post.
• You are already drawing another fellowship from UGC or any other agency.
• You have not yet been awarded your PhD, or you exceed the upper age limit after allowed relaxations.

The fellowship cannot be combined with any other scholarship, fellowship or salaried employment. Candidates must give an undertaking to this effect, and acceptance of the award is treated as a declaration that they are not otherwise employed.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates

1. Wait for the UGC notification opening the scheme for a fresh cycle, which is published on the UGC website and the UGC fellowship portal.
2. Register on the UGC fellowship portal with a valid email address and mobile number, then log in.
3. Fill in the online application form with your academic details, PhD award details and the name of your proposed host institution.
4. Upload the supporting documents: PhD certificate, proof of age, research proposal and host institution consent — in the formats specified.
5. Submit the completed application before the notified deadline and save the acknowledgement or reference number.
6. Shortlisted candidates are selected by a UGC expert committee; on selection, the fellowship is released to the candidate through the host institution.

Because UGC schemes are revised from cycle to cycle, always read the current official notification for the exact monthly fellowship rate, the number of slots and the closing date before you apply.

How much does the fellowship provide?

The Post-Doctoral Fellowship to Women Candidates pays a monthly research fellowship, an annual contingency grant to meet research expenses, and House Rent Allowance as per rules, all at rates fixed by the University Grants Commission. Candidates who are differently abled are additionally eligible for escort or reader assistance as per UGC norms.

UGC revises fellowship and contingency rates periodically, so this guide does not quote a rupee figure that cannot be confirmed against a live official notification. Check the amount printed on the UGC fellowship circular for the cycle in which you apply, and confirm whether the rate differs for science and non-science disciplines.

Help and where to verify details

• UGC contact: 011-23604446 (University Grants Commission, New Delhi)
• Official website: ugc.gov.in, look under fellowships and schemes
• Scheme listing: myScheme portal reference pdfwc

Always verify the current fellowship rate, age relaxation and application window on the official UGC notification. No agent can secure this fellowship for you for a fee; selection is done solely by a UGC expert committee.