https://educationtoday.co/blog/blog-details?id=2784&url=OBC-PhD-Students-Struggle-as-Centre-Delays-Fellowship-Payments-for-Nearly-a-Year *OBC PhD Students Struggle as Centre Delays Fellowship Payments for Nearly a Year* PhD students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in Telangana are facing severe financial and academic distress due to the Centre's significant delay in disbursing their National Fellowship for OBC (NF-OBC) payments. The fellowship has not been disbursed for the past nine to ten months, leaving many students without the vital financial support they rely on to pursue their education and research. The National Fellowship for OBC students is a crucial government initiative designed to aid meritorious students from the OBC category who clear the National Eligibility Test (NET). However, many PhD students in central and state universities, as well as research institutes, have been grappling with the delayed payments, which have led to a growing sense of frustration and anxiety among the affected students. Sai Kiran N, a first-year PhD student at the University of Hyderabad, shared his distress: “I am in huge debt now as I had to borrow money for personal and academic expenses.” Sai’s situation is far from isolated; he is one of around 1,000 OBC students in Telangana who have not received their fellowship payments. “At least 90% of them have not received any funds since June 2024,” he added. The Financial Breakdown of the Fellowship The NF-OBC fellowship provides financial support to deserving OBC students pursuing research. Typically, students receive approximately Rs 50,000 per month, which includes Rs 37,000 as the scholarship, Rs 9,000 as the house rent allowance (HRA), and an additional Rs 15,000 annually for book-related expenses during their first two years of study. For students in their third, fourth, and fifth years, the fellowship amount increases by an additional Rs 10,000 per month. Under normal circumstances, these payments are made quarterly. However, the delay in the release of funds has left students struggling to cover basic academic and personal expenses. Many have found themselves forced to borrow money to make ends meet. The Impact on Research and Education The financial instability caused by the delayed fellowship payments is taking a toll on students' academic progress. “Most of us come from economically backward families and solely depend on this scholarship to pursue our education,” said Satya Nelli, a second-year PhD student from Osmania University. Satya explained that the delay has hindered his ability to attend seminars or conferences, purchase necessary research materials, or even sustain daily living expenses. “In Osmania University alone, there are about 20 students who have been waiting for their fellowship for 10 to 12 months,” he added. The situation is dire for many students who rely on the fellowship not only for academic needs but for their livelihood. With the amount pending for nearly a year, students are unable to continue their work with the same focus and energy as before. The inability to participate in key academic events or procure essential resources has severely impacted their research productivity. Unequal Distribution of Fellowships While the OBC students face mounting financial difficulties, other fellowships, including those for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, continue to be disbursed regularly, leading to questions of disparity and neglect. Students from the OBC category are now calling on the government to address this disparity and ensure that the fellowship process is streamlined and punctual. “We are not asking for extra benefits. All we want is for the government to release the fellowship on time, so we can continue our studies without the burden of financial uncertainty,” said one of the students affected by the delay. A Call for Immediate Action The students have urged the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which administers the NF-OBC fellowship, to take immediate action to resolve the delays. With the academic year in full swing, many students are growing increasingly worried about their ability to maintain their studies and continue their research. The issue is not limited to Telangana but affects OBC students across the country. The government has been urged to review its systems and ensure timely disbursements so that deserving students are not left in a financial lurch and unable to pursue their academic ambitions. For many, the fellowship is not just a financial lifeline but a necessary support system for completing their research and contributing to the academic community. As the wait continues, the clock is ticking for these students who have dedicated their lives to their academic pursuits. The resolution of this issue has become urgent not only for their immediate financial relief but also for the health of the academic research ecosystem in India. *For more details visit* https://youtu.be/-BL10-iyyes https://www.theenn.com/video-a27fda7d9.html