Mahendra Kumar of Udaipur received ₹24 lakh assistance under the National Scheduled Caste Scholarship Scheme

Mahendra Kumar, 40, of Udaipur received a total financial assistance of ₹24 lakh under the National Scheduled Caste Scholarship Scheme (NFSC) in the form of fellowship, house‑rent allowance and contingency grant, allowing him to continue his PhD studies

The NFSC scheme aims to support economically‑disadvantaged Scheduled Caste students in higher education and research. Mahendra said the assistance reduced his financial pressure and gave him the chance to focus more on his research

Details of the financial assistance

Since December 2020 Mahendra has been receiving assistance under the scheme as fellowship, house‑rent allowance (HRA) and contingency grant. The combined support from these three components amounted to a total of ₹24 lakh

• Fellowship – for PhD research expenses
• House‑rent allowance – for residential costs
• Contingency grant – for unexpected expenses

Impact on research travel

According to Mahendra, the financial assistance brought positive changes in his academic, professional and personal life. He said the fellowship fully supported his doctoral studies and helped him cope with financial challenges