The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment published a case study demonstrating the impact of the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme through the experience of Shri Kuri Sravan Kumar, a 37-year-old research scholar from Bhadradri Kothagudem district in Telangana. The scholar faced significant financial constraints as his father had retired and the family was experiencing financial problems, creating barriers to pursuing his Ph.D. research.
Sravan Kumar began receiving assistance under the NFSC Scheme in April 2023, which included fellowship and contingency assistance. This support provided consistent financial backing that reduced economic stress and enabled him to continue academic and research activities with greater focus. The fellowship proved crucial for expanding his academic opportunities, including travel to South Korea to participate in an international conference where he presented his research before an international academic audience.
The support also facilitated valuable fieldwork that contributed significantly to his research and proved valuable during the writing of his doctoral thesis. Following the fellowship assistance, Sravan Kumar published research papers in UGC CARE-listed journals and presented papers at academic forums in India and South Korea, which strengthened his research capabilities and supported his development as a scholar. Although no change in income was reported, the fellowship addressed the financial challenges that had affected the continuation of his research, allowing him to continue pursuing his Ph.D. with greater confidence and stability.