What is the full form of JRF

JRF: Junior Research Fellow

The full form of JRF is Junior Research Fellow. It is incredible for the student who wants to expand their career in the research field. It is a scholarship program started by University Grants Commission, in order to motivate them to do original work. Students who want to avail this scholarship have to submit their genuine research at a university or Higher education institution. Eligibility criteria for availing of this scholarship are, that one must have cleared the National Eligibility test (NET) of the UGC and CSIR joint test, but one do not get a scholarship by just qualifying for these exams. He get two years of internship in this scholarship. After completion of two years, his work is evaluated by specialists, and based on this evaluation, if he has done a good job, he is granted three more years of internship, and his revenue increases too according to Senior Research Fellowship (SRF). But if his work is not satisfactory, one more year is granted to him, so that he can improve. He doesn't work as a researcher, he is made a research assistant and his work is again evaluated after three years, and if improvement is seen he is given two additional years under Senior Research Fellowship. Through this, we can say that internship is for 5 years both JRF, and SRF included. JRF is available for the following courses: Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.

Eligibility Criteria

This is an initiative from UGC to provide scholarships to talented and educated students. To get this scholarship, you must have cleared NET and CSIR. People who clear NET and CSIR are further subjected to aptitude tests. To apply for NET and CSIR, one should have completed a master's degree in their respective subjects and their aggregate percentage must be greater than or equal to 55% in master's. Age is an eligibility criterion too, to apply for a junior research fellow, the age should be under 28. Age relaxation is there for SC/ST caste, physically disabled people, and female candidates. The relaxation period is 5 years of SC/ST, for physically disabled and female candidates. And it is three years for OBC (Non-creamy layer) candidates.

The pattern of Examination

UGC conducts NET and CSIR twice a year, it has a competitive question pattern. The question paper is divided into three parts. The first part of the paper includes MCQs and the domain of questions is "general science and aptitude reasoning ", the first part is the same for all the candidates appearing for the exam. The second segment of the paper consists of questions that are asked about the specialized subject of the candidate. The third part of the question paper consists of questions that check the candidate's knowledge of personal skills on that concept. The Paper has negative marking too.

Qualified students get the notification individually. It is given to qualified students if the university agrees to give required facilities, and planned research sites. People who qualify for these exams can avail scholarships in the next two years.

The procedure of approval

If a candidate clears NET and CSIR, he should enroll for Ph.D. and MPhil as soon as possible, but not later than 2 years period of time. Enrolment is done by showing issued certificates of UGC NET/CSIR tests. When candidates complete the above procedure, joining certificate attested by the supervisor/HOD is sent through the registrar/principal/Director alongside the verified copy of the NET certificate.

Advantages of JRF over NET

If a person joins any Indian university or institution after clearing JRF, he or she gets a stipend of 31000/- for the next five years. This is a decent amount for a person who wants to devote his time to research only and does not want to do any work.

When an individual applies for the post of Assistant professor or Lecturer at any Indian university or college or he wants to pursue M.Phil. or Ph.D., an applicant who has JRF is given preference over any other candidate.

Many colleges in India do not even take entrance tests for students who have cleared NET/CSIR and have JRF.

API (Academic Performance Indicator) is a great factor when an individual applies for the permanent post of Assistant professor. Two points are added to the API score of students who have cleared JRF.