National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) Scholarships & Eligibility

The ICAR – National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, Haryana, operates under the auspices of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Recognized as a Deemed to be University since 1989, NDRI provides educational and research facilities in dairy technology, animal genetics, microbiology, food safety, and dairy economics.

To ensure that financial constraints do not impede academic pursuit, NDRI offers an array of institutional fellowships, national talent awards, research stipends, and fee concessions across undergraduate (B.Tech), postgraduate (M.Tech/M.Sc/M.V.Sc), and doctoral (Ph.D.) levels.

1. Overview of Financial Support Options

Financial support at ICAR-NDRI Karnal is structured around merit, program tier, and national competitive entrance scores. Scholarships are designed to cover monthly living expenses, academic book purchases, field-tour travel, and thesis research contingencies.

2. Types of Scholarships and Fellowships

A. ICAR National Talent Scholarship (NTS) for Undergraduates

The National Talent Scholarship (NTS) is provided by ICAR to students pursuing the 4-year B.Tech (Dairy Technology) degree.

• Quantum: INR 3,000 per month.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be admitted through the central ICAR All India Entrance Examination / CUET allocation.
  • Must join NDRI Karnal from a state outside their home domicile state.
  • Must maintain a minimum Overall Grade Point Average (OGPA) of 7.00 out of 10.00.
  • Must not have changed the allotted university or subject, and must not have been admitted via a waitlist seat filling.

B. NDRI Institute Scholarships (Master's and Ph.D.)

For postgraduate and doctoral scholars who do not hold external national fellowships (such as CSIR-UGC NET or ICAR JRF/SRF), NDRI provides institutional scholarships directly from its own budget allocations.

• Master's Degree Scholars: INR 7,560 per month for up to two years, plus an annual research contingency grant of INR 6,000 per annum.
• D. Doctoral Scholars: INR 25,000 per month for the first two years, increasing to INR 28,000 per month in the third year, accompanied by an annual contingency grant of INR 10,000 per annum.
• In-Service Ph.D. Candidates: Employees from the ICAR/State Agricultural University (SAU) system who join NDRI on study leave or deputation are eligible for an in-service fellowship of INR 3,000 per month for up to three years.

C. ICAR Junior and Senior Research Fellowships (JRF / SRF)

Meritorious postgraduate and doctoral scholars who rank at the top of national entrance examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) receive enhanced research grants:

• ICAR JRF (Master's): INR 12,640 per month (for veterinary streams) for two years, plus INR 6,000 per annum
• ICAR SRF (Doctoral): INR 37,000 per month for the first two years, elevated to INR 42,000 per month in the third year, alongside INR 10,000 per annum

D. Central & State Government Post-Matric Scholarships

Students belonging to reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC Non-Creamy Layer, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) can access state-sponsored Post-Matric Scholarships administered via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or respective State Higher Education Portals. These awards provide maintenance allowances and full tuition fee reimbursements.

3. Mandatory Rules, Academic Eligibility, and Maintenance Guidelines

To ensure continuous disbursement of scholarship funds, NDRI enforces strict academic performance and conduct parameters.

Minimum Grade Point Average (OGPA / Aggregate)

• Master's and Ph.D. Scholars: Must maintain an aggregate of at least 65% marks or a 6.50 OGPA out of 10.00 across major, minor, and supporting courses in every preceding semester.
• Re-appearance & Improvement: If a student falls below 65% marks or 6.50 OGPA in a semester, the monthly scholarship is suspended until the student clears supplementary examinations and improves their aggregate score above the prescribed threshold.

Mandatory Attendance Requirements

• Scholars must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance separately in theory and practical sessions for every registered course.
• Attendance shortages up to 5% may be condoned by the Joint Director (Academic) solely on certified medical grounds or official institutional representation.Shortfall beyond this limit leads to exam detention and temporary forfeiture of scholarship payments.

Single Financial Benefit Rule

• "Institute Scholarships" are granted exclusively to scholars who do not hold any other active fellowship, salary, or stipend from external sources.
• If a scholar accepts financial assistance from CSIR, UGC, DBT, or a private entity, the NDRI Institute Scholarship is terminated immediately.

4. Financial Aid Options, Book Grants, and Fee Exemptions

Beyond monthly stipends, NDRI provides supplementary financial aid mechanisms to assist research execution and ease tuition costs:

• Tuition & Exam Fee Exemption for SC/ST Candidates: Diploma and B.Tech (Dairy Technology) students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities are fully exempted from paying Tuition Fees, Examination Fees, and Student Welfare Fund charges.
• Book & Thesis Allowances (Doctoral Level):
  • Book Grant (First Year): Up to INR 2,500 for buying specialized research texts.
  • Thesis Preparation Support: Up to INR 2,500 reimbursement for thesis typing, binding, and formatting.
• Special Research Contingency (Doctoral Level): Up to INR 25,000 for purchasing specialized research chemicals, glassware, field-data survey travel (for Dairy Extension and Economics streams), and conference registration fees (up to INR 3,000).
• Educational Loan Facilitation: NDRI's Deemed University status allows admitted students to secure collateral-free education loans up to INR 7,50,000 from major public sector banks (such as State Bank of India) under standard central government loan schemes.

5. Application and Disbursement Process

The application and disbursement procedure for scholarships at NDRI Karnal is processed internally through the Academic Section:

1. Submission of Undertaking: Upon enrollment, eligible Master’s and Doctoral scholars complete and submit an official acceptance form and an undertaking affirming that they do not hold any other external scholarship or financial aid.
2. Monthly Progress Verification: Scholarships are released on a monthly basis following the submission of a satisfactory Monthly Attendance and Academic Progress Report signed by the student's Major Advisor / Head of Division.
3. Direct Bank Credit: Approved scholarship and contingency amounts are transferred directly to the scholar’s Aadhaar-linked savings bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Are all Master's and Ph.D. students at NDRI Karnal eligible for a monthly scholarship?

Yes. All full-time Indian Master's and Doctoral students admitted to NDRI who do not hold any external fellowships (such as CSIR-UGC NET or ICAR JRF) are granted the NDRI Institute Scholarship.

Q2. What is the monthly stipend for Ph.D. scholars receiving the NDRI Institute Scholarship?

Doctoral scholars receive INR 25,000 per month for the first two years and INR 28,000 per month in the third year, alongside an annual contingency grant of INR 10,000.

Q3. Who is eligible for the ICAR National Talent Scholarship (NTS) at the B.Tech level?

Undergraduate B.Tech (Dairy Technology) students who secure admission at NDRI Karnal from a state outside their home domicile state through ICAR central counseling are eligible for NTS, which pays INR 3,000 per month, provided they maintain an OGPA of at least 7.00 out of 10.00.

Q4. Are SC/ST category students exempted from paying tuition fees at NDRI?

Yes. B.Tech (Dairy Technology) and Diploma students belonging to SC and ST categories are fully exempted from paying Tuition Fees, Examination Fees, and Student Welfare Fund fees at ICAR-NDRI.

Q5. What minimum percentage or OGPA is required to retain the NDRI Institute Scholarship?

Master's and Ph.D. students must maintain an aggregate score of at least 65% marks or an OGPA of 6.50 out of 10.00 in each semester, along with a minimum of 75% attendance in both theory and practical classes, to continue receiving their scholarship.