NFSC fellowship helps Dr Janaki Sundararajan complete PhD and build academic career

What happened (NFSC fellowship support leading to PhD completion)

MoSJ&E reported that Dr Janaki Sundararajan, a 32-year-old research scholar from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, completed her PhD and progressed into academic work after receiving support under the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme. MoSJ&E stated that NFSC fellowship assistance began in September 2019 and covered her PhD period 2019 to 2024. MoSJ&E also stated that Dr Janaki received a Senior Research Fellowship of ₹35,000 per month.

Background and earlier position (barriers during full-time PhD research)

MoSJ&E stated that Dr Janaki faced financial and academic constraints during her full-time research PhD. MoSJ&E listed reported difficulties that included managing research expenses and academic activities across the PhD period from 2019 to 2024, accessing research materials and digital resources, attending conferences, conducting fieldwork, collecting data, travelling for academic purposes, and undertaking publication-related activities. MoSJ&E also stated that limited financial support made it harder for Dr Janaki to focus fully on doctoral research while balancing personal responsibilities.

What changed now (NFSC fellowship and its reported support to research activities)

Under the NFSC Scheme, MoSJ&E stated that Dr Janaki began receiving assistance in September 2019 and received a Senior Research Fellowship of ₹35,000 per month. MoSJ&E stated that the fellowship helped with research materials and internet access, data collection and fieldwork-related activities, academic travel for conferences and research work, and publication-related activities. MoSJ&E further stated that the fellowship reduced financial stress for Dr Janaki’s family, provided stability and motivation during the doctoral journey, and enabled her to continue her PhD research without interruption.