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 | Postgraduate, PhD · SC, ST, Landless Agricultural Labourers · Family income up to ₹8 Lakh/year |
About the Program
NOS enables students from marginalized backgrounds to pursue high-quality research and post-graduate studies in foreign universities.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹15.4 Lakh+
The scholarship offers comprehensive financial assistance, covering actual tuition fees, an annual maintenance allowance, contingency allowance, visa fees, medical insurance premium, and economy class airfare. The annual maintenance allowance is USD 15,400 for students in the USA and most other countries, and GBP 9,900 for students in the UK. A contingency allowance of USD 1,500 (for USA/other countries) or GBP 1,100 (for UK) is also provided annually. Incidental journey and equipment allowance is USD 20. Tuition fees are paid directly to the university by Indian Missions abroad. Other allowances are typically disbursed to awardees, often through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts, though the exact method is determined by the Government of India and Indian Missions abroad. The maximum duration of financial assistance is 4 years for Ph.D. and 3 years for Master's degrees. The stated annual amount (INR 3,400,000) is an estimate combining the higher fixed allowances (maintenance, contingency) with a typical high tuition fee for a top global university, reflecting the full funding nature of the scholarship. The minimum annual amount (INR 1,100,000) represents the fixed allowances for the UK region.
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 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 on a merit-cum-means basis
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Priority is given to applicants who have secured an unconditional admission offer from foreign universities ranked within the top 500 of the latest QS World University Rankings
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The selection process involves a screening committee reviewing eligible applications
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For the 2026-27 selection year, 125 fresh awards are available, with 115 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), 6 for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/SNT), and 4 for Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans. 30% of the total awards each year are earmarked for women candidates
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A state-wise cap applies, where no more than 10% of total slots can go to applicants from any single state or UT in the first round
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In case of a tie in university ranking, marks/grades in the qualifying examination are considered.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is renewed annually, subject to the scholar's satisfactory academic progress, submission of a progress report, and good conduct
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The financial assistance is provided for the approved duration of the course, up to a maximum of four years for Ph.D. and three years for Master's degree
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Scholars failing to complete their course must refund the entire scholarship amount with interest, unless exempted by the Ministry.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Check Eligibility
Confirm that you meet all the eligibility criteria, including caste, income, age, academic qualifications (minimum 60% in qualifying degree for Master's/Ph.D., though this may not apply if admitted to a top 500 QS-ranked university), and admission status to a recognized foreign university for Master's or Ph.D.
- 2Register Online
Visit the official NOS portal (nosmsje.gov.in). Click on the 'Register' or 'New User' button. Provide your active email ID, mobile number, and name to create an account and complete eKYC.
- 3Fill Application Form
Log in using your registered credentials. Select the option to apply for the National Overseas Scholarship. Accurately fill in all required personal, academic, and family income details. Provide information about your chosen foreign university and the exact course.
- 4Upload Documents
Upload all mandatory scanned documents in the specified format and size. These typically include: Aadhaar card, Caste certificate, Income certificate (for FY 2025-26 for 2026-27 applications), ITR acknowledgment (if applicable), all academic degree certificates and mark sheets, unconditional offer letter from a foreign university (if secured), research proposal (mandatory for Ph.D. applicants), and employer's NOC (if employed).
- 5Review and Submit
Carefully double-check all entered information and uploaded documents for accuracy before final submission, as applications are generally non-editable afterward.
- 6Track Status
After submission, you can track your application's status by logging into your account on the same official portal using your Permanent Registration ID.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What expenses are fully covered by the National Overseas Scholarship?
The National Overseas Scholarship provides comprehensive coverage for various expenses, including the full tuition fees (paid directly to the institution by Indian Missions abroad), an annual maintenance allowance (USD 15,400 for most countries, GBP 9,900 for the UK), a contingency allowance (USD 1,500 or GBP 1,100), visa fees, medical insurance premium, and economy class airfare.
What are the key eligibility criteria for the scholarship, especially regarding family income and university ranking for 2025-26/2026-27?
For the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years, applicants must be Indian citizens belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, or Traditional Artisans. The maximum age is 35 years as of April 1st of the selection year. The total annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8,00,000 (eight lakh rupees) in the preceding financial year (e.g., FY 2025-26 for 2026-27 selection). Applicants must have an unconditional offer of admission from a foreign university ranked within the top 500 of the latest QS World University Rankings. A minimum of 60% marks in the qualifying degree (Bachelor's for Master's, Master's for Ph.D.) is generally required, but this may not apply if admission is secured in a top 500 QS-ranked institution.
How can ST students apply, and are there different guidelines?
While the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's National Overseas Scholarship primarily covers SC, DNT, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans, there is a separate and parallel National Overseas Scholarship (NOS-ST) scheme specifically for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. This scheme is run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It has its own eligibility criteria, including a lower family income threshold (commonly cited around ₹6,00,000 per annum) and its own application portal and deadlines. ST students should consult the official website of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (e.g., overseas.tribal.gov.in) for specific guidelines, application procedures, and deadlines relevant to their category.
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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.