For full-time research scholars from modest families, meeting the cost of advanced education can be difficult. Timely fellowship assistance can reduce this burden and allow scholars to pursue their academic ambitions with greater confidence and focus.

Demonstrating the impact of support under the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme, Dr Janaki Sundararajan, a 32-year-old scholar from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, overcame financial and academic barriers to complete her Ph.D. and build a career in teaching and research.

Before receiving assistance under the NFSC Scheme, Dr Janaki faced financial difficulties in managing research expenses and academic activities during her Ph.D. period from 2019 to 2024. As a full-time research scholar, balancing personal responsibilities and continuing her research without stable financial support was challenging.

She also experienced difficulty in accessing research materials and digital resources, attending conferences, conducting fieldwork, collecting data, travelling for academic purposes and undertaking publication-related activities. Limited financial support affected her ability to focus completely on her doctoral research.

Despite these constraints, Dr Janaki remained committed to her academic journey. She aspired to complete her Ph.D. and become a dedicated academician and researcher in the field of education, with a focus on teacher education, digital education and quality research in higher education institutions.

Dr Janaki comes from a modest family background where education was considered important despite financial limitations. Her family continuously encouraged her higher education journey, but meeting the expenses associated with full-time research placed considerable pressure on the household.

She began receiving assistance under the NFSC Scheme in September 2019. Under the Scheme, she received a Senior Research Fellowship of ₹35,000 per month.

The fellowship helped her manage expenses related to research materials, internet access, data collection, academic travel and publication activities. It reduced financial stress and enabled her to focus more effectively on completing her Ph.D. with confidence and dedication.

Beyond financial assistance, the NFSC fellowship provided Dr Janaki with stability and motivation throughout her doctoral journey. It supported her academic activities, research work and professional development while reducing the financial burden on her family.

With the support received under the NFSC Scheme, she gained the confidence to continue her Ph.D. research without interruption and devote greater attention to academic activities, research publications and professional development. The assistance strengthened both her professional growth and personal confidence.

Dr Janaki is currently working as a Guest Teacher at The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University). The fellowship has strengthened her academic career path and enabled her to move closer to her goal of contributing to education through teaching and research.

Dr Janaki expressed her gratitude for the fellowship support and said,

“The NFSC fellowship provided me with financial stability and the confidence to continue my Ph.D. research without interruption. It reduced the financial burden on my family, supported my research and professional development, and strengthened my path towards a career in teaching and research.”

Through determination and support under the NFSC Scheme, Dr Janaki progressed from facing financial challenges during full-time research to completing her Ph.D. and pursuing an academic career. Her journey reflects the important role of fellowship assistance in advancing research aspirations and strengthening professional opportunities.

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