The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment published a case study highlighting the impact of the National Fellowship program on Shri Balamurugan S., a 35-year-old Scheduled Caste beneficiary from the Devendra Kula Velalar community. As the first graduate in his family and the only person in his family lineage to obtain a doctoral degree, Balamurugan faced significant financial constraints in pursuing advanced studies in physics, where he currently works as a Guest Lecturer.
The National Fellowship provided crucial financial support during the period 2017-2020, with ₹25,000 per month during the first two years and ₹31,000 per month during the subsequent two years. This support enabled him to dedicate himself fully to specialized research involving chemicals and advanced techniques including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), antimicrobial studies, and magnetic studies.
With this fellowship support, Balamurugan successfully completed his research and authored what he describes as the world's first research paper on "Cadmium Oxide Nanopowders." The financial assistance ultimately enabled him to publish 28 international research papers, marking a significant academic achievement and contributing to the scientific community. The case study demonstrates the program's role in creating opportunities for higher learning and scientific advancement among disadvantaged communities.