The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a prestigious financial assistance program offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It is designed to support meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans, who wish to pursue Master’s and PhD studies abroad.
Join WhatsApp GroupObjective of the Scheme
The primary objective of the National Overseas Scholarship is to empower disadvantaged communities by giving them access to high-quality education abroad. It promotes educational excellence, global exposure, and equal opportunity in international academic institutions.
Courses Covered
The NOS scheme supports Master’s and PhD programs in various fields such as:
- Engineering and Technology
- Pure Sciences and Applied Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences and Medicine
- International Commerce and Accounting
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Management and Finance
Only full-time courses at accredited foreign universities are eligible. Undergraduate courses and diploma programs are not covered under this scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the NOS scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
- Category: Belong to SC, Denotified Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, or Traditional Artisan families.
- Age Limit: Not more than 35 years as of April 1 of the selection year.
- Income Limit: Total family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh per annum.
- Education Qualification:
- For Master’s: A Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks.
- For PhD: A Master’s degree with at least 60% marks.
- Must have secured admission to a foreign university before applying.
Number of Scholarships and Distribution
Each year, 125 scholarships are awarded, distributed among various categories as follows:
- SC: 115 scholarships
- Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes: 06
- Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans: 04
There is 30% reservation for women candidates, which can be transferred to male candidates if unused.
Financial Assistance Provided
The scheme offers comprehensive financial support, including:
- Tuition fees and university charges
- Airfare (economy class) to the destination country
- Maintenance allowance (varies by country, approx. USD 15,400/year for the US)
- Contingency allowance
- Visa fees, insurance, and incidental expenses
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the official portal:
🔗 https://nosmsje.gov.in
The application cycle typically opens once a year. Applicants must:
- Register and fill out the form
- Upload admission letters, academic certificates, caste and income certificates, and passport
- Submit the application before the deadline
Shortlisted candidates may be required to appear for document verification and interview.
Conclusion
The National Overseas Scholarship is a transformative opportunity for marginalized students in India to achieve international academic excellence. It bridges socio-economic gaps by enabling talented individuals to study at top global institutions and return with skills that contribute to the nation’s growth. Aspirants must prepare early, secure admission to reputed universities abroad, and carefully follow the application process to benefit from this life-changing scheme.
