Overview

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme is an initiative by the Government of India that provides financial assistance to students from underprivileged sections of Indian society for pursuing higher education abroad. This scheme is primarily aimed at students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT), Landless Agricultural Laborers, and Traditional Artisans. The objective of the scholarship is to empower these students through higher education and enhance their employability.

Who Can Apply?

• • Nationality: The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
  • Categories: The scholarship is reserved for students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Laborers, and Traditional Artisans.
  • Educational qualification:
    • For a PhD program, the applicant must have completed a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
    • For a master’s program, the applicant must have completed a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
  • Age limit: The candidate must be below 35 years of age as of April 1st of the selection year.
  • Income ceiling: The total family income of the applicant from all sources must not exceed INR 8,00,000 per annum.
  • Admission to a foreign university: Applicants must have already secured admission to a reputed foreign institution for the relevant master's or PhD program before applying for the scholarship.

Application Procedure

• Step 1: Secure admission: The applicant must first secure admission to a foreign university for a master’s or PhD program.
• Step 2: Submit the application: Applications for the National Overseas Scholarship are submitted online through the official Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment portal during the application window (usually in the first quarter of the year).
• Step 3: Provide supporting documents: Applicants must submit supporting documents

What Financial Support is Available?

The NOS Scheme covers the following expenses:

• Tuition fees: Full or partial coverage of the tuition fees for the selected course of study abroad.
• Maintenance allowance: A monthly allowance for living expenses, including accommodation and food, which varies depending on the country of study.
• Visa fees: The cost of obtaining a student visa is covered.
• Passage grant: One-time airfare (economy class) to and from the country of study.
• Contingency allowance: Additional financial support for books, study materials, and other academic-related expenses.
• Medical insurance: Coverage for health-related expenses during the study period, in some cases.

Other Details

• Scholarship Quota and Allocation: The total number of scholarships awarded annually is 125, distributed as follows:

  • Scheduled Castes (SC): 115 scholarships.
  • Scheduled Tribes (ST): 6 scholarships.
  • Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes: 4 scholarships.

For More Information

For more information on the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme and detailed guidelines, visit the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's official page.