Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Supporting Solapur Maharashtra’s Dr Shrikant Dilip Khandare’s Journey to Ph.D. Completion
प्रविष्टि तिथि: 19 OCT 2026 5:15PM by PIB Delhi
With the right support and encouragement, scholars from disadvantaged backgrounds become empowered to pursue their research aspirations, strengthen their knowledge and skills, and work towards achieving their academic goals.
Financial assistance plays an important role in enabling them to focus on their studies and realise their full potential.
Higher education and advanced research create valuable opportunities for academic excellence, professional growth and meaningful contributions to society.
Dr Shrikant Dilip Khandare, a scholar from Solapur, Maharashtra, pursued his doctoral studies with the aim of contributing to sustainable solutions for environmental challenges. After qualifying the CSIR-UGC NET in June 2018, he continued to work towards his academic aspirations. However, financial uncertainty posed challenges to the continuation of his research and created concerns about completing his Ph.D.
Coming from a family whose circumstances were described as unstable, Dr Khandare faced uncertainty about sustaining his doctoral studies. Despite his determination to continue his research, financial constraints threatened his academic progress. He acknowledged that, without financial assistance, he might have had to discontinue his doctoral programme. Nevertheless, he remained committed to pursuing his research and achieving his academic goals.
Dr Khandare’s research aspirations are closely connected to addressing environmental challenges, particularly plastic waste and pollution. He aims to contribute to the development of sustainable solutions to tackle these issues. His academic journey reflects the potential of research and higher education to support environmental sustainability and generate knowledge that can contribute to addressing pressing societal concerns.
Financial assistance under the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) became an important source of support in Dr Khandare’s academic journey. He began receiving assistance in October 2019, including fellowship support and House Rent Allowance (HRA), amounting to a total of ₹9.90 lakh. This assistance helped him continue his doctoral studies and devote greater attention to his academic work without the constant uncertainty of financing his education.
With the support received under the NFSC scheme and his sustained commitment to research, Dr Khandare successfully completed his Ph.D. The fellowship played a significant role in enabling him to continue his doctoral programme and achieve this important academic milestone. His experience highlights how timely financial assistance can help scholars overcome economic barriers and pursue advanced education.
Dr Shrikant Dilip Khandare’s achievement demonstrates the importance of fellowship assistance in strengthening access to higher education and research. His journey illustrates how targeted financial support, combined with perseverance and academic commitment, can help scholars navigate financial uncertainty, complete doctoral studies and work towards their research ambitions. The NFSC scheme continues to represent an important avenue for supporting eligible Scheduled Caste students in pursuing advanced education and research.
SS-139-TAR/KV/GA/RK
Date: 19.10.26
(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2325155) आगंतुक पटल : 78
