Centre constitutes panel to study issues related to research fellowships

The move was necessitated after students protested against the UGC's move to scrap non-NET fellowship

Acceding to the demand of students, the central government has constituted a five-member review committee to go into the issues related to the research fellowships provided by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The review committee will submit its report to the ministry by December 2015. Further, the central government has directed the UGC not to implement the commission's decision to discontinue Non-NET fellowships and to continue all existing and continuing fellowships, NET as well as Non-NET and there be no change retrospectively in the fellowships, said a statement issued by the UGC.

It is pertinent to mention here that students protested against the UGC's move to scrap non-NET fellowship. Earlier, HRD ministry also clarified that the non-NET fellowship will not be scrapped, the students have been continuing with their agitation demanding that the amount for the grant be increased and an official notification be issued.

The fellowship, which is provided to those undertaking research in central universities across India, was scrapped by UGC in its last meeting. Under the scheme, financial assistance was provided to students pursuing M.Phil and Ph.D of, respectively, Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 per month. Ph.D students got assistance for four years and M.Phil students for 18 months. They also get a contingency amount every year to help them undertake their research. Despite all assurances, the protesters from universities across Delhi have decided to continue with their agitation in from UGC office.