Unjust Discontinuation and Delayed Stipends The Plight of MANF Scholars

Last year the decision by the Centre to discontinue the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF), a scholarship aimed at supporting students from minority communities pursuing MPhil and PhD, sparked concerns about the accessibility of higher education for thousands of aspiring scholars from minority communities of India. Launched in 2009 under the UPA regime as a response to the Sachar Committee recommendations, MANF played a crucial role in providing financial assistance to underprivileged students from Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis, and Sikhs.

For many students, particularly those from minority religions, MANF served as a lifeline in their pursuit of higher education. The sudden termination of this fellowship, without addressing potential overlaps with other schemes, leaves a significant void in educational opportunities for these individuals.

Now when the fellowship has already been discontinued, the existing MANF fellows from Kashmir and across the country have to face a lot of difficulties because of the issue of delayed stipend payments and other issues. The supposed monthly stipend has turned into a biannual. The last instalment received by students was in September after a six-month delay, underscoring the growing trend of irregular stipend disbursals. Even during the pandemic until 2022, MANF, once a regular fellowship, experienced its longest gap of two months in stipend disbursement.

Scholars have expressed their disappointment over the lack of a promised framework by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to regulate and expedite the stipend disbursement process. This delay jeopardizes the economic independence and dignified life prospects of thousands of minority students, especially girls, who depend on these scholarships to pursue higher education. Number of MAFN scholars from Kashmir and across the country are distressed over the delay of payments saying the delay in payments is causing them a lot of vexation. They are not able to meet their daily expenses in absence of the stipends.

Compounding the issue is impending Revision of MANF Scheme fellowship amounts and their alignment with UGC and other fellowship schemes. On June 26, 2023, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) issued Office Memorandum No. DST/PCPM//Z-06/2022, highlighting the need for a revision in research fellowship. Subsequently, higher authorities, including the Ministry of Education, CSIR, UGC, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Ministry of Tribal Affairs, acknowledged the importance of adjusting the emoluments of research personnel in the country.

The UGC, under the Ministry of Education, took a proactive step on October 16, 2023, by releasing an official notice to revise fellowship amounts for JRFs and SRFs under its designated schemes. In line with this, the NFOBC Scheme and NFSC Scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, as well as the NFST Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, followed suit and revised their fellowship amounts accordingly.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) approved a hike in research fellowships this year. The stipend for JRF has increased from ₹31,000 to ₹37,000, and for SRF from ₹35,000 to ₹42,000, following persistent demands from students. However, MANF scholars have been left in limbo, without any information or updates on the anticipated hike.

Considering these developments, MANF Scheme fellowship amounts too need to be urgently revised and brought at par with the UGC Scheme and other fellowship programs. The guidelines of the MANF Scheme explicitly state that "the rate of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC fellowship as amended from time to time." Therefore, aligning MANF Scheme fellowship amounts with the recent revisions is not only reasonable but also essential for maintaining parity and ensuring the well-being of research scholars.

This selective withholding of the MANF hike has led to accusations of indifference. In response to this injustice, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has raised urgent concerns, demanding an immediate hike in the Maulana

Azad National Fellowship. They emphasize the disparity between MANF and other fellowships such as UGC JRF, NFOBC, and NFSC/ ST, highlighting the need for equal treatment in education irrespective of religious affiliations.

The discontinuation of MANF not only affects the current scholars but also raises questions about the inclusivity of educational policies. By providing clarity on potential overlaps with other schemes and expediting stipend disbursements, the government can demonstrate its commitment to fostering equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their religious affiliations.

The discontinuation of Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) has cast a shadow on the inclusive ethos of education in India. The delay in stipend payments further exacerbates the plight of minority scholars, threatening their economic independence and academic pursuits. The withholding of the MANF hike underscores the urgency for parity with other fellowship programs. If the government is not ready to reinstate MANF, at least they should ensure timely disbursal of stipends and hike stipends of MAFN scholars in line with revised schemes.

Now when the fellowship has already been discontinued, the existing MANF fellows from Kashmir and across the country have to face a lot of difficulties because of the issue of delayed stipend payments and other issues. The supposed monthly stipend has turned into a biannual. The last instalment received by students was in September after a six-month delay, underscoring the growing trend of irregular stipend disbursals