The prolonged delay in the disbursement of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST) has pushed hundreds of tribal scholars into a financial and emotional crisis, leaving their research progress in jeopardy, as many are struggling to pay hostel and tuition fees, sustain research, and cover publication expenses.
The NFST, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, was created to empower Scheduled Tribe students pursuing M.Phil. and PhD by offering stipends, contingency grants, and other benefits equivalent to UGC fellowships.
Each year, 750 new scholars are inducted, with nearly 3,000 currently enrolled under the scheme.
For many, the fellowship is not just support but a lifeline enabling them to pursue higher education without financial hardship. Yet, despite clear guidelines mandating quarterly disbursement, scholars say funds have not been released for months.
The scholars highlighted that fellowship instalments are released months late, with the January–June 2025 dues still pending despite approval being recorded on the PFMS portal in mid-August.
They pointed out that while other fellowships, such as UGC and NFSC, are credited within days of validation, NFST payments continue to face long delays, a problem that has persisted for years.
In some cases, students reported waiting up to a year for instalments, while others have only received partial payments, resulting in widespread financial uncertainty.
NFST fellow Mohd Intkhab, who received his award letter in March, said he has “still not received any payment,” which has left him and other fellows under “financial and mental stress” and obstructed the progress of their research.
He alleged that NFST officials “do not respond to our grievances with clarity.”
“When I, along with some fellows, visited the NFST office in Delhi to inquire about the irregularities, they told us that the funds allocated for five years had been exhausted in just four years and were used to pay scholarships to other Scheduled Tribe students under pre-matric and post-matric schemes,” he said.
According to him, the officials also admitted that “only one individual is handling the entire NFST process.”
“Being tribals, we face ignorance from everywhere. We are not sure about the reality of the promises made by the Prime Minister to facilitate tribals,” Intkhab said, requesting him to intervene, resolve the issues, and ensure timely payments in the future.
Another fellow Allyang Chakma, alleged that delays in the disbursement of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Tribes (NFST) are seriously affecting research and academic progress. He said the Tribal Ministry and NFST had promised quarterly disbursement, “but they are not following their own guidelines. Instead of every three months, we are only receiving the fellowship money twice a year.”
He highlighted that this irregularity has left scholars without funds to attend conferences, submit research papers, or conduct fieldwork.
Coming from marginalised communities, Allyang explained that families are unable to cover these academic expenses without the fellowship.
“Without money, we cannot focus on our research or even on our lives. Every day we are worried about money,” he said, adding that while the government has already sanctioned the funds, “they are not being released to scholars.”
Another expressed frustration, stating, “We should not be punished for administrative delays or poor financial planning,” while another added, “I’m surviving by borrowing from relatives. Every week, I call home for support, and even my family is struggling. I feel guilty, but I cannot leave my research unfinished.”
“I had to borrow money just to buy chemicals for my experiment. Research has become a burden rather than a passion,” said another scholar, underscoring the disruption of academic work.
Along with this, the annual contingency allowance of ₹20,500 for Humanities and ₹25,000 for Science and Technology has not reached many eligible students, either because documents remain unapproved or because payments have not been processed despite approval.
On 3rd September, a delegation of affected students submitted complaints and memorandums to both the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ Scholarship Division and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST).
In their letter to the ministry, they warned that the repeated postponements had stalled academic progress and caused significant mental and financial distress, thereby undermining the very purpose of the fellowship.
The students further criticised the ministry’s grievance portal for being ineffective, stating that while responses are acknowledged, no concrete action follows.
They added that repeated attempts to seek clarity on disbursements are often met with vague assurances, reflecting what they described as negligence towards the concerns of Scheduled Tribe scholars.
Urging urgent systemic intervention, they requested immediate release of pending dues, a fixed and transparent timeline for quarterly disbursements, and a fair redressal mechanism to prevent recurrence of such issues.
At the Scholarship Division, officials reportedly admitted that the file remained pending with the Finance Department due to a “shortage of funds” and lengthy approval processes, which, according to students, are “unsatisfactory.”
They assured scholars that payments might be released by 15 September 2025, subject to sanctions.
Adding to the anxiety, NFST officials clarified that the authorisation process for the 2024–25 batch will begin only after pending payments of earlier scholars are cleared, leaving new awardees uncertain about their future.
The delays, scholars argue, go against the very spirit of the scheme. “The Ministry itself announced that payments would be made quarterly, but they are not following their own rules. We are demanding strict adherence to that order, along with contingency and HRA at revised rates,” said one of the petitioners.
Beyond financial strain, the mental health impact has been severe. Several scholars reported feeling “humiliated” and “trapped,” unable to focus on research while battling constant financial uncertainty.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has taken note of the grievances, with Chairman Antar Singh Arya assuring students that the Commission would conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the delays.
“If deliberate administrative lapses are found, judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings may follow. The rights of Scheduled Tribes are protected under Article 338A of the Constitution, and we will act firmly if those rights are violated,” he said.
The fellowship, the fellow’s stress, is more than just a stipend. It represents recognition, empowerment, and a path to contributing original knowledge from the tribal community.
“Its disruption,” they alleged, warning risks of alienating a generation of scholars. All India Research Scholars Association also demanded the immediate release of the scholarships.
The BJP-led government has been under fire for slashing funds for scholarships meant to support marginalised students, including those from SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities. Funding cuts, delayed disbursements, and systemic implementation failures have fueled accusations of neglect and discrimination against the government, sparking serious concerns over educational equity and social mobility.
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