Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Research Fellowship (BANRF)

In 1913, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar undertook a historic journey to Columbia University, New York for Higher Studies. In grateful commemoration of this, BARTI launched “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Research Fellowship (BANRF)”in 2013. Only Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates belonging to Maharashtra, who wish to pursue regular and fulltime Ph.D. in any subject from Indian Universities / Institutions / Colleges as indicated below are liable to get fellowship.

The number of fellowships awarded each year would be equivalent to the number of years since 1913 i.e. 101 for 2014, 102 for 2015 and so on. However 30th BOG meeting decided to increase this number from 106 & 107 to 200 each for 2019 & 2020 respectively. BARTI is keen to support the candidates with academic excellence and methodologically sound research projects pertaining to social justice, equality, humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, Engineering & Technology and related field.

Objective:
To provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance to the students belonging to SC category & domicile of Maharashtra State to pursue higher studies such as M.Phil./Ph.D. (full-time) in Indian Universities /Institutions / Colleges approved by UGC or Competent Authority.

Target Group:
Scheduled Caste students those who are pursuing full time M.Phil/Ph.D.
No. of Beneficiary:
As per 30th October 2023 GR – 200 students
As per 25th July 2024 GR-300 Students

Criteria for selection:

• Implementation of the program should be done as per the UGC guidelines.
• Annual Income limit – 8 Lakhs
• Reservation – 30% Women candidate, 5% For disabled students, 1% for Orphan
• Students who are already availing fellowship from State Universities, University Grant Commission (UGC), National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) will not be eligible for BANRF fellowship or they have to choose only one option.
• Students must be enrolled with a Government University with at least “B+” Grade/ “A” Grade Private University in order to be granted the benefit of the scheme.

Eligibility:

• Applicant should belong to Scheduled Caste Category & Domicile of Maharashtra State (Caste Certificate and Caste Validity by the competent authority is Compulsory).
• The Applicant who accept or hold any paid appointment, full time, part time or receive emoluments, salary, stipend, fellowship etc. from any other source during the tenure of the Ph.D. will be considered eligible for the fellowship only after furnishing Reliving letter & Resignation letter from the concerned organization.
• A scholar who does not complete his/her research work during the period of fellowship shall not be eligible to apply again under this scheme. Similarly, a scholar who has completely or partially availed any of these fellowship for Ph.D earlier shall also not be eligible for fellowship under this scheme.
• The Fellowship shall be granted upto the date of submission of Ph.D. thesis or five years of tenure, whichever is earlier. No extension is permissible beyond the total period of five years of fellowship.
• Employees and retired persons of any University/College/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government shall be excluded form availing fellowship, even if they are on study leave or extra ordinary leave to pursue the Ph.D. course.
• Students 75% attendance to the research Centre is must for availing the benefit under the fellowship.
• Students who already availed the fellowship benefit for Ph.D from State of Central schemes will be not eligible to get the benefit.

Tenure of the Fellowship:

Nature of the Benefit:

Achievement:

Those who are completed their academic tenure out of it total 771 students completed their M.Phil/Ph.D. research. Total 7 students received patents Many students who have benefited from BANRF scholarship are making significant contributions to the country through research in various fields.