The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment announced the successful completion of doctoral studies by Dr Shrikant Dilip Khandare from Solapur, Maharashtra, supported through the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) scheme. Dr Khandare received financial assistance totaling ₹9.90 lakh beginning October 2019, which included fellowship support and House Rent Allowance (HRA), enabling him to continue his environmental research focused on sustainable solutions for plastic waste and pollution despite coming from a family with unstable financial circumstances.
The scholar had qualified for the CSIR-UGC NET in June 2018 but faced significant financial constraints that threatened the continuation of his doctoral program. The NFSC fellowship provided critical support that allowed him to focus on his studies without the uncertainty of financing his education. His research aims to address environmental challenges and contribute to sustainable solutions for pressing societal concerns.
This case study highlights the role of targeted financial assistance in enabling students from Scheduled Caste backgrounds to pursue higher education and research aspirations. The NFSC scheme represents an important government initiative to support eligible students in achieving advanced academic goals and overcoming economic barriers to education.