National Overseas Scholarship for SC/ST Students
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment · All India
| Scheme Name | National Overseas Scholarship for SC/ST Students |
| Provided By | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
NOS enables students from marginalized backgrounds to pursue high-quality research and post-graduate studies in foreign universities.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹15.8 Lakh+
The National Overseas Scholarship by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment provides comprehensive financial assistance. This includes actual tuition fees, visa fees, and medical insurance premiums. Additionally, it covers air passage in economy class (via authorized agencies). For living expenses, selected candidates receive an annual maintenance allowance of USD 15,400 for studies in the USA and other countries, or GBP 9,900 for studies in the United Kingdom. A contingency allowance of USD 1,500 for the USA/other countries or GBP 1,100 for the UK is also provided annually. The maintenance allowance is disbursed quarterly by Indian Missions abroad directly into the student's bank account after verification. Since tuition and other fees are covered as 'actuals', the total annual amount is variable.
Full funding for foreign studies.
Note: Prestigious scheme for Master's and PhD studies in foreign universities.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Postgraduate, PhD |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Minimum Marks | 60% |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹8.0 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | SC, ST, Landless Agricultural Labourers |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Passport
- ✓Visa
- ✓Admission Offer (Foreign)
- ✓Income/Caste Certificates
- ✓Marksheets
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected through an online application process
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Applications are first screened to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, followed by document verification
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A merit list is prepared based on the QS World University Ranking of the foreign university from which the candidate has received an unconditional offer of admission
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candidates with offers from higher-ranked universities are placed higher on the merit list
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In case of a tie between applicants with similarly ranked institutions, marks or grades in the qualifying examination are used as a tie-breaker
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Selected candidates receive a Provisional Award Letter
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There is no formal interview for all candidates, but a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP) is beneficial.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is awarded for the full duration of the approved course, which is up to three years for a Master's degree and up to four years for a Ph.D. degree
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Annual renewal is subject to the student maintaining satisfactory academic progress and complying with all scheme guidelines
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Awardees are required to execute a bond with sureties to return to India after completing their studies.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Visit the Official Portal
Go to the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) portal at `https://nosmsje.gov.in/`.
- 2Registration
Click on the 'Register' or 'Candidate Registration' button. You will need to create an account using your email ID, mobile number, and Aadhaar Card. A text message will be delivered to your registered email address or mobile number after successful registration.
- 3Fill the Application Form
Log in with your username and password. Carefully fill in all the required details, including personal information, category details (SC, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, Traditional Artisans), academic qualifications, and foreign university admission details. Ensure all information matches your supporting documents exactly.
- 4Upload Documents
Scan and upload all necessary documents in the specified formats and sizes. Critical documents include: * Fresh passport-size photograph and scanned signature. * Caste Certificate duly signed by an authorized officer. * Income Certificate stating the annual family income is less than ₹8,00,000. Also, Income Tax Returns (ITR) of all family members if applicable. * Mark sheets and certificates of all qualifying examinations (Bachelor's for Master's, Master's for Ph.D.). * Unconditional offer letter from a foreign university ranked within the top 500 in QS World University Rankings. * Copy of a valid passport and Aadhaar Card. * No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer (for government employees or employed applicants). * Gap Certificate (if there's a gap of more than 6 months after the qualifying degree).
- 5Review and Submit
Double-check all entered information and uploaded documents for accuracy. Submit the online application before the prescribed deadline.
- 6Correction Window
A correction window is usually provided after the initial submission deadline to edit eligible fields.
- 7Track Status
After submission, you can track your application status online by logging into the portal with your award number and password. Eligible candidates will be notified of selection via the online portal and email.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible to apply for the National Overseas Scholarship?
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is for Indian citizens belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of April 1st of the selection year, have a minimum of 60% marks in their qualifying degree (Bachelor's for Master's, Master's for Ph.D.), and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹8,00,000 from all sources. They must also have an unconditional offer of admission from a university ranked within the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings for the academic year they are applying for. Please note that ST students have a separate scholarship scheme under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Can more than one child from the same parents/guardians apply for this scholarship?
No, not more than two children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for scholarship under the scheme. Some sources also indicate a stricter 'one child per family' rule, with the possibility for a second child only if seats remain in later rounds. However, the official scheme guidelines generally state 'not more than two children'.
Can I change my university or course after receiving the provisional award letter?
No, changing the course or university after the issuance of the provisional award letter is generally not permitted. The Ministry rarely grants such requests, and candidates must attend the university and pursue the course specified in their application.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website before final submission.