For many students from minority communities in India, pursuing a Ph.D. or M.Phil. can be financially challenging. The Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) was a government initiative introduced to help such students complete their research studies without financial stress.
Named after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Minister of Education and a strong advocate of inclusive learning, this fellowship was created to promote higher education among students from minority communities, especially those who are economically disadvantaged.
⚠️ Important Note: As of December 2022, the Government of India has discontinued the MANF scheme. However, it remains an important part of India’s scholarship history and understanding it is valuable — especially for tracking similar or alternative schemes like UGC NET-JRF and state-level fellowships.
🧾 What Was the MANF Fellowship?
The Maulana Azad National Fellowship was launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) and implemented through the University Grants Commission (UGC). It offered monthly financial support to students from minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis) who were pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees in various disciplines. The objective was to encourage representation of minority communities in research and teaching professions, ultimately reducing educational inequality in India.👥 Who Was Eligible?
The fellowship had very clear eligibility criteria focused on community, education, and economic background.✅ Community Criteria:
- Applicant must belong to a notified minority community in India: Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi (Zoroastrian)
✅ Academic Criteria:
- Must have cleared UGC NET or CSIR NET exam (or equivalent) for M.Phil./Ph.D. admissions.
- Should have secured admission in full-time regular M.Phil./Ph.D. programs in recognized Indian universities or academic institutions.
✅ Income Limit:
- The candidate’s annual family income must not exceed ₹6 lakh.
Note: Students receiving any other fellowship/scholarship for the same course were not eligible.
💰 Fellowship Amount and Benefits
The MANF provided financial assistance for up to 5 years, covering both M.Phil. and Ph.D. stages.| Fellowship Type | Amount (per month) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Research Fellow (JRF) | ₹31,000 + HRA | First 2 years |
| Senior Research Fellow (SRF) | ₹35,000 + HRA | Remaining 3 years |
- Contingency grants for research materials, books, travel, etc.
- HRA (House Rent Allowance) if hostel accommodation was not available
📝 Application Process
Before its discontinuation, the application process was handled online via the National Fellowship Portal or UGC website.Required Documents:
- Minority community certificate
- Income certificate (not older than 1 year)
- NET/JRF qualification proof
- Admission letter for M.Phil./Ph.D.
- Aadhaar card
- Recent passport-sized photo
- Bank account details (in the candidate’s name)
📅 Timeline (Past Reference)
| Event | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Application Start | Usually in August–September |
| Last Date to Apply | October–November |
| Verification & Selection | November–December |
| Fellowship Disbursal Begins | Within 2–3 months post approval |
🎯 Objectives of MANF
The core mission of MANF was to:- Support students from minority communities in pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D. degrees.
- Encourage academic and research participation in underrepresented communities.
- Reduce dropouts at the higher education level.
- Build a diverse academic ecosystem in Indian universities.
❌ Why Was MANF Discontinued?
In December 2022, the Ministry of Minority Affairs announced that the MANF scheme was being discontinued. The official reasoning included:- Overlap with existing fellowships, such as UGC NET-JRF.
- Students from minority communities could still apply for general fellowships, which do not discriminate by community.
🔄 Alternatives to MANF in 2025
While MANF is no longer active, students can apply for:- UGC NET-JRF Fellowship
- CSIR JRF
- ICSSR Doctoral Fellowship
- Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (for SC/ST students)
- State-level Research Scholarships for Minority Students
- University-specific Ph.D. funding programs