National Overseas Scholarship
Looking for information about the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)? You have come to the right place! This page provides all the necessary information about the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. If you are interested in applying for NOS for Scheduled Castes (SC) for the 2022-23 session, you will find the eligibility criteria, application process, selection details, awards and required documents below. Check out the section to know how to fill the NOS online application form and more.
National Overseas Scholarship Overview
| Organization Name | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Scheme Name | National Overseas Scholarship Scheme |
| Category | Scholarships |
| Beneficiaries | Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Website | nosmsje.gov.in |
Objective of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme aims to assist low-income students from the categories of Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans to pursue higher education abroad. This includes Master’s degree and PhD programmes, with the aim of improving their economic and social status.
Scope of the NOS Scheme
The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to selected candidates to pursue Master’s and PhD courses abroad at universities or institutions recognized by the respective government or authorized bodies. This funding is available for any field of study.
Every year, 125 new awards will be given depending on the availability of funds. The scholarship slots will be distributed across various eligible categories, as mentioned below:-
| Category | Number of Slots |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes | 115 |
| Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes | 6 |
| Landless Agricultural Labourers & Traditional Artisans | 4 |
| Total Slots | 125 |
Eligibility Criteria for National Overseas Scholarship
Minimum Qualification
To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must have secured at least 60% marks or equivalent grade in their qualifying examination. For PhD courses, the required qualification is a master’s degree, while for master’s degree courses, a bachelor’s degree is required. If a student has completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering through lateral entry (after diploma, direct entry into the second year), the marks obtained in the bachelor’s degree will be considered.
Age Limit
The age of the candidate should not be more than 35 years till 1st April of the selection year.
Family Income
The annual income of the family should be less than Rs 8,00,000 (eight lakh rupees).
Financial Assistance for National Overseas Scholarship
| Type of Assistance | United States of America (USA) & Other Countries (except the UK) | United Kingdom (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance Allowance | 15,400 US Dollars | 9,900 Great Britain Pounds |
| Contingency Allowance | 1,500 US Dollars | 1,100 Great Britain Pounds |
| Tuition Fees | Actual fees as charged | Actual fees as charged |
| Visa Fees | Actual visa fees in Indian Rupees | Actual visa fees in Indian Rupees |
| Medical Insurance Premium | Actual fees as charged | Actual fees as charged |
| Incidental Journey Allowance & Equipment Allowance | 20 US Dollars or its equivalent in Indian Rupees | 20 US Dollars or its equivalent in Indian Rupees |
| Air Passage | a) Air tickets must be purchased from authorized travel agents (Balmer Lawrie & Company Limited (BLCL), Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT), Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC)). The tickets should be economy class and follow the shortest route available on the date of booking. b) Awardees can choose any authorized travel agent. Booking charges, excess baggage, cancellation charges, and other add-ons will not be reimbursed. c) Reimbursement of airfare can be claimed from the respective Indian Mission abroad after joining the university and submitting the joining report. d) The conditions are effective from January 1st, 2022. e) Return tickets will be booked by the Indian Mission abroad according to the above conditions. | Same as above |
Duration of Award with Financial Assistance
The financial assistance provided under this scheme will be available till the completion of the course or research or for the following maximum period, whichever is earlier:
- Ph.D.: 4 years
- Master’s Degree: 3 years
If a candidate needs to extend his/her stay beyond the prescribed period, he/she may be granted an extension without any financial assistance, except for travel back to India by air. However, such an extension will be considered only if both the educational institution or university and the Indian Mission abroad recommend it, certifying that additional time is necessary for the candidate to complete his/her course. The final decision regarding the extension will rest solely with the Government of India.
Selection Process for NOS Scheme
Eligibility and Selection Process for National Overseas Scholarship
- Only those candidates will be considered for the scholarship who have received an unconditional offer of admission from one of the top 500 ranked foreign institutions/universities (based on the latest QS Rankings for the academic session 2022-23 and onwards), provided they meet the other eligibility criteria mentioned in the scheme.
- Requests for change of institute or university will not be considered. If a selected candidate wishes to change his course or university, he will have to apply afresh in the next available selection round.
- There will be two stages of selection. A merit list will be prepared based on the QS ranking of the foreign institute from which the candidate has received an offer of admission. Scholarships will be awarded in order of merit. Candidates receiving offers from higher ranked institutes will be ranked higher. In case of a tie between two or more candidates with the same ranking, their merit position will be determined based on the marks/grades obtained in their qualifying examination for higher studies.
- The online applications of eligible candidates will be reviewed by the Selection Screening Committee, which will recommend the ranking and selection of candidates for the scholarship.
- Waiting list will be maintained during the final selection round. Waiting list will be valid till 31st March of the selection year. Candidates included in the waiting list can also apply for the next selection year. Waiting list will include up to 50% of the total available slots.
- Selected candidates who have already secured admission to foreign institutions will receive a provisional award letter of scholarship. Students will be allowed a maximum of one year or two admission delays (whichever is earlier) from the date of issue of the provisional award letter to join their university or institute abroad. If they fail to do so, the award will be automatically cancelled, and no further correspondence will be entertained.
- If a Prize Confirmation Letter is issued, the Prize Winner has to complete all the required procedures including verification of original documents and submission of Bond and Solvency Certificate within six (6) months from the date of Prize Confirmation Letter. Failure to do so will result in automatic cancellation of the Prize. No additional time will be given to complete these formalities.
Documents Required to Complete the NOS Online Application Form
- 10th Board Certificate
- Caste Certificate
- Recent Photograph
- Scanned Signature
- Proof of Current Address and Permanent Address (if different)
- Qualifying Degree or Provisional Certificate
- Marksheet of the Qualifying Examination
- Valid Admission Document from the Foreign University (such as application, registration, or admission-related documents)
- Income Proof for all family members
- Employer’s NOC Certificate (if employed)
- Gap Certificate (if there is a gap of more than 6 months after completing the qualifying degree)
- ITR Acceptance Document
How to apply for National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
- Visit the official website at nosmsje.gov.in.
- If you haven’t registered yet, click on the “Register” tab.
- Fill in the required details in the registration fields.
- Once registered successfully, click on the “Login” tab.
- Log in using your credentials.
- Enter the necessary details and upload the required documents.
- Finally, submit the application form and download a copy for future reference.
National Overseas Scholarship Online Application Link
The link to apply for National Overseas Scholarship Scheme will be activated after the official announcement.
