The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment published a case study highlighting the impact of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (NFSC) Scheme through the journey of Priyanga G, a 27-year-old Ph.D. scholar from Puducherry. The fellowship, which began in November 2022, significantly eased her financial constraints during her doctoral research, enabling her to purchase research materials costing between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000 without hesitation.
The financial support allowed Priyanga to attend two international conferences abroad, where she gained international academic exposure, and she was able to bring her parents along for this experience. Additionally, she has presented her research at more than 10 international conferences within India. The scholar stated that the NFSC fellowship has been a 'turning point' in her journey, supporting both her research and personal growth while helping her make her family proud.
The case study demonstrates how government fellowship assistance can help Scheduled Caste scholars overcome financial burdens and family pressures to pursue advanced research and higher education, ultimately strengthening their research exposure and career prospects in academia.