National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) enables meritorious students from low-income families belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans to pursue higher education, specifically Master's degree or PhD programmes, at top universities abroad. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment administers the scheme with the aim of improving the economic and social status of candidates from these communities.

Under the scheme, the Government of India provides financial support, covering tuition fees, annual maintenance allowance, contingency allowance, visa fees, medical insurance, and air passage. Candidates must secure an unconditional offer of admission from a university or institution ranked among the top 500 in the latest QS World University Rankings to be eligible for an award in the first round of selection.

The scheme offers 125 fresh awards every selection year, with a specific category-wise distribution. It earmarks 30% of all awards for women candidates. The selection year runs from April to March, and the government invites applications through two rounds, the first in February/March, and the second (if seats remain) in September/October. Candidates must apply online through the official NOS portal at nosmsje.gov.in.

The scheme covers courses at the Master's level (up to 3 years) and PhD level (up to 4 years). It does not cover Bachelor's level courses in any discipline, nor does it support courses on Indian culture, heritage, history, or Indian-based social research topics. Candidates who have already studied abroad using any other scholarship from the Central Government, State Government, or any other agency are not eligible to apply.

Scheme Benefits

• The government funds full tuition fees as actually charged by the foreign university or institution.
• Awardees receive an annual maintenance allowance to cover their living expenses abroad.
• An annual contingency allowance covers books, laptops, study tours, conference travel, thesis binding, and university-related fees such as library, examination, and registration fees.
• The government reimburses actual visa fees in Indian Rupees.
• The government covers the actual medical insurance premium charged to the awardee.
• Awardees receive an incidental journey and equipment allowance of USD 20 per journey or its equivalent in Indian Rupees.
• Economy class air passage from the nearest airport to the awardee's hometown in India to the nearest place to the educational institution, and back to India.
• Awardees may supplement their prescribed allowances by taking up Research or Teaching Assistantships.
• 30% of all awards are reserved for women candidates every selection year.
• The scheme earmarks a cap of 10% of total slots per State/UT, ensuring geographic distribution of awards.
• Awardees pursuing online classes in India for unavoidable reasons receive maintenance allowance at the rate applicable under the Post Matric Scholarship for SCs (Group 1 Day Scholars).

Category-Wise Distribution of Awards

Financial Assistance

The government provides the following financial support to selected awardees for the full sanctioned duration of their course:

Eligibility Requirements

• The candidate must belong to one of the eligible categories:
  • Scheduled Castes,
  • Denotified/Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribes,
  • Landless Agricultural Labourers,
  • or Traditional Artisans.
• The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
• The candidate must not be more than 35 years of age as on 1st April of the selection year.
• The gross annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs. 8 lakh per annum.
• The candidate must have secured at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in the qualifying examination (Bachelor's Degree for Master's programmes; Master's Degree for PhD programmes).
• The candidate must hold an unconditional offer of admission from a university or institution ranked in the top 500 of the latest QS World University Rankings (2026).
• The candidate must not already be studying, staying abroad, or have completed studies abroad using any other scholarship or their own funds.
• The candidate must not be applying for a course at the same level (Master's or PhD) for which they have already qualified from any university in India or abroad.
• Topics or courses concerning Indian Culture, Heritage, History, or Indian-based social research are not eligible under NOS.
• Candidates applying for admission to universities in the United States must obtain a J-1 Visa only. Candidates who apply or hold an F-1 Visa are not eligible under this scheme.
• Not more than two children of the same parents or guardians are eligible under the scheme. The award can be given only once per candidate.
• Employed candidates must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.

Required Documents

While submitting the application form, applicants need to furnish the following documents:

• Aadhaar Card
• Caste Certificate
• Birth Certificate
• Present and Permanent Address Proof
• 10th Class Marksheet
• Qualifying Degree or Provisional Marksheet
• All semester Marksheet (In a PDF file)
• Offer Letter issued by the foreign University
• Employer's No Objection Certificate (if applicant is employed)
• Gap Certificate (if any)
• Family Income Certificate
• ITR (all family members in PDF, if filing)
• Income Certificate (of all family members)
• Applicant Photo
• Applicant's Signature

After Issuance of the Provisional Letter

• Attestation Form
• Self-Declaration regarding total annual family income
• Self-Declaration regarding any pending case or non-conviction of offence
• Copy of Passport

After document verification and before the Confirmation of Award Letter

• Two bonds of at least Rs. 100 non-judicial stamp paper, executed before a Notary Public, with two sureties
• Solvency certificates for both sureties
• Health certificate
• Two copies of the Passport and the Visa
• Undertaking on non-judicial stamp paper (Rs. 10), sworn before a Notary Public
• Intended date of air travel for joining the foreign university

Steps to Apply

• Visit the official NOS portal at www.nosmsje.gov.in and register as a new user.
• Log in using your credentials and navigate to the NOS Scholarship application section.
• Ensure you have an unconditional offer of admission from a top-500 QS-ranked university before filling the form.
• Fill in all personal details, academic qualifications, family income details, and caste category accurately.
• Upload all required documents as listed in Annexure-I of the scheme guidelines, including mark sheets for all semesters, Aadhaar Card, income documents, and the university admission letter.
• Submit your Aadhaar Card details on the portal, as it is mandatory for processing your application.
• Review the entire application carefully before submitting, as incomplete applications will be summarily rejected.
• Click Submit and save the application reference number for future tracking and correspondence.
• The government scrutinises applications within 20–30 days of the portal closing.
• The Selection-cum-Screening Committee then reviews shortlisted applications and makes recommendations, which takes approximately 10–15 days.
• The final selection list is published on the NOS portal, and the government also sends individual emails or SMS notifications to all registered applicants.
• If you receive a Provisional Award Letter, complete all formalities — bonds, solvency certificates, health certificate, and Passport/Visa copies — within 6 months of the date of issuance.
• Candidates may raise grievances related to results within 30 calendar days of result publication on the portal.

Key Mandatory Conditions

• Candidates must submit their Aadhaar Card on the NOS portal. Those who cannot submit it at the time of application must do so mandatorily before the government issues the final award letter.
• Candidates must return to India within 30 days of completing their course and must remain in India for at least one year, actively seeking opportunities to serve in Government Ministries or Departments.
• Awardees cannot avail themselves of any other similar scholarship from the Central Government or State Governments simultaneously.
• If a candidate receives any scholarship from their university or college, they must report it to the Ministry. The government will deduct this amount from the NOS financial support payable.
• Awardees who overstay abroad for more than one month after completing their course forfeit their right to a government-funded return air passage.
• The government does not provide any financial support for the awardee's spouse or children who may accompany them abroad.
• In case of default, such as violating bond conditions, leaving for another country, absconding, or joining a different programme without intimation, the awardee must refund the entire amount spent by the Government of India along with interest at 12% per annum. Penal interest of an additional 2.5% applies if the awardee fails to repay within six months of demand.
• Candidates who furnish false information or documents face debarment, blacklisting, and recovery of the full amount with 15% compound interest.
• Any legal disputes arising in India fall under the sole jurisdiction of courts in the Union Territory of Delhi.

Relevant Links

• National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Application Registration
• National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Applicant Login
• National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Guidelines
• National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Income Certificate
• National Overseas Scholarship Income Certificate for Landless Agricultural Labourer
• National Overseas Scholarship Income Certificate for Traditional Labourer.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Contact Information

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Contact Number: 011 23384023
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Email: so-nos-msje@gov.in