Access to doctoral education can depend on whether a student has the resources to keep studying. For researchers facing financial hardship, timely institutional support can help turn academic ambitions into achievable goals.
Funding reduces pressure over educational expenses, allowing scholars to devote more time to developing their research and expertise.
Advanced study offers a route to new discoveries, stronger professional prospects and research that addresses needs beyond the university.
Environmental researcher Dr Shrikant Dilip Khandare, from Solapur in Maharashtra, wanted his doctorate to contribute to sustainable answers to environmental problems. He cleared the CSIR-UGC NET in June 2018, yet uncertain finances made it difficult to see his Ph.D. through to completion.
Although determined to finish his doctorate, Dr Khandare was struggling with the cost of continuing his studies because of his family's financial situation. He said that without financial support, leaving his doctoral programme might have been unavoidable. He nonetheless remained focused on his research goals.
His work centres on environmental concerns, especially pollution and discarded plastics. By exploring sustainable ways of addressing these problems, Dr Khandare hopes his research will produce knowledge with practical value. His experience also illustrates the wider contribution doctoral education can make to public challenges.
Support from the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) enabled Dr Khandare to stay enrolled. From October 2019, he received fellowship funding together with House Rent Allowance (HRA), totalling ₹9.90 lakh. That assistance helped him concentrate on his academic responsibilities without facing continual uncertainty about how to cover his education expenses.
Dr Khandare went on to complete his Ph.D., supported by the NFSC fellowship and his own persistence. The award helped remove a financial obstacle that could otherwise have interrupted his doctoral research. His achievement highlights the importance of providing assistance while students can still benefit from it.
The experience of Dr Shrikant Dilip Khandare shows how targeted funding can widen access to advanced education for eligible Scheduled Caste scholars. Financial assistance, alongside sustained academic effort, helped him complete his degree and continue pursuing research relevant to environmental sustainability. NFSC offers an important form of support for students facing barriers to postgraduate research.