Over 30 UGC online learning, research, fellowship schemes extended till 2023

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has extended about 32 UGC schemes, out of which 29 are extended till March 31, 2023, and three of them until the approved period of their tenure. The decision has been taken by UGC as per a meeting held on March 31, 2022.

Some of the most important UGC schemes extended are the Ishaan Uday Special Scholarship scheme for NER, National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities, National Fellowship for SC Candidate, National Fellowship for Other Backward Classes, Scheme for Trans-disciplinary Research for India's Developing Economy (STRIDE), Dr S Radhakrishnan, Post Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities, Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC-ST students and women, Maulana Azad National Fellowship for minority students, among others.

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"In continuation to the Public Notice of even number dated 27th March 2021, and in view of the decision taken by the commission in its meeting held on 31st March 2022, it is informed to all concerned that the UGC Schemes mentioned in the Annexure have been extended up to 31.03.2023," said a public notice from UGC.

Research in higher educational institutions has been facing a massive fund shortage in the past five years as per data presented in Parliament recently. The education ministry's data revealed that research project scheme grants by UGC have declined from Rs 42.7 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 38 lakh in 2020-21. For instance, STRIDE was announced in 2019, but the scheme died out due to a lack of funds from the government.

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Expenditure on fellowships such as Dr S Radhakrishnan Post Doctoral Fellowship in Humanities, Post-Doctoral Fellowship for SC students, women and Maulana Azad National Fellowship for minority students also witnessed gradual decrease in funding.