VoL Desk, Dec. 08: Dr. Shashi Tharoor, a prominent Congress leader and Member of Parliament representing Theruvananthapuram, passionately advocated for a crucial update in the fellowship stipend for Non-NET PhD research scholars during his address in the Lok Sabha.

Highlighting a pressing concern, Dr. Tharoor emphasized that Non-NET PhD research fellows have been receiving a fixed stipend of Rs. 8,000 monthly since 2006, a stagnant amount that hasn’t seen revision despite the customary adjustments every four years. This static stipend has placed significant financial strain on these scholars.

Moreover, Dr. Tharoor shed light on the multifaceted challenges faced by these scholars, including inadequate institutional resources, insufficient guidance and support from supervisors, and the absence of mechanisms for addressing grievances.

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In a strong call to action, Dr. Tharoor urged the Education Minister and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to seriously consider a substantial increase in the stipend provided to Non-NET PhD research fellows. This adjustment, he stressed, is imperative to support and sustain the pursuit of academic excellence among these scholars.