National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme 2025 for SC/ST/OBC Students

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) scheme is a government initiative in India that offers financial support to students from marginalized communities to study abroad. Primarily aimed at SC, ST, and other disadvantaged groups, this scheme helps eligible students pursue Master’s and PhD programs at top foreign universities. While many search for a National Overseas Scholarship for ST students or eligibility details, it's important to note that the scheme does not cover undergraduate studies. The scholarship amount includes tuition, living expenses, airfare, and more—making it a vital support system for students aspiring for global education.

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What is the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme?

The National Overseas Scholarship scheme is a vital program from the Indian Government. It offers significant financial help to eligible Indian students. This support allows them to pursue Master's, Ph.D., and Post-doctoral research degrees at top universities abroad.

This important scheme is managed mainly by two different ministries:

• Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: They handle applications for students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/NT/SNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs: They look after applications for students belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST).

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) shows the government's strong commitment to fairness in society and developing India's talent. It ensures that money problems don't stop smart students from reaching their full potential.

Read the article on the Scholarship for OBC Students!

Key Objectives of the NOS Scheme

The National Overseas Scholarship scheme by the Indian Government has clear goals. These goals fit well with India's larger plans for development:

• Boost Education Access: It creates a path for students from financially weaker sections to get advanced education and research opportunities at foreign universities.
• Reduce Inequality: The scheme helps close the gap in global higher education access for groups that have historically faced disadvantages, making things fairer.
• Develop Specialized Skills: It helps scholars gain unique knowledge and high-level skills often not easily found in India. These skills are meant to directly help India's development when the scholars return.
• Improve Human Talent: By supporting talented professionals and researchers who can compete globally, the scheme makes India's intellectual capital stronger, driving innovation and progress.

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To apply for the National Overseas Scholarship, candidates must meet specific requirements. These rules are designed to help deserving students from particular social groups. For the National Overseas Scholarship scheme 2025-26, here are the general eligibility details:

Target Beneficiaries:

• National Overseas Scholarship for SC candidates.
• National Overseas Scholarship for ST students (managed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs).
• National Overseas Scholarship for OBC categories, specifically those from Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans (managed by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment).

Academic Qualifications:

• For a Master's degree: You need at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in your Bachelor's degree.
• For a Ph.D. degree: You need at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in your Master's degree.
• For Post-Doctoral Research: You must already have a Ph.D. degree.

You must have an official, confirmed offer of admission from a foreign university. This foreign university should be listed in the 500 QS World University Rankings (or an independent international ranking system mentioned in the official rules, whichever is applicable) for the Academic Year that is being applied for.

Age Limit:

• For Master's programs, applicants should generally be under 35 years old.
• For Ph.D. programs, the age limit is typically under 40 years. This age is checked as of a specific date, usually April 1st of the selection year.

Family Income Ceiling:

Your total annual family income from all sources must not be more than ₹8 lakh in the previous financial year. (Note: While ₹8 lakh is common, check the exact notification for your specific category, as some ST guidelines have varied in the past).

Other Important Rules:

• Previous Scholarship: If you've already received another central or state government scholarship for overseas study, you usually can't apply for this one.
• Family Limit: Only one child from the same family can receive this scholarship.

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National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Financial Assistance & Amount

The National Overseas Scholarship amount is designed to provide full financial support. It covers most of the essential costs linked to studying abroad. Typically, the help includes:

• Tuition Fees: These are paid directly to your university by Indian Embassies or Missions in that country.
• Living Allowance (Annual Maintenance Allowance): A fixed amount for daily living costs. For example, it might be around USD 15,400 per year for students in the US or other countries, and GBP 9,900 per year for those in the UK. (These amounts can change).
• Extra Costs (Contingency Allowance): An annual sum for things like books, essential equipment, study trips, thesis printing/binding, etc. (e.g., about USD 1,532 for the US, GBP 1,116 for the UK).
• Airfare: A one-time economy class flight ticket from India to your study location and back, taking the shortest route.
• Visa Fees: You'll get back the money you spent on your visa application.
• Medical Insurance: The actual cost of your medical insurance premium can be reimbursed.
• Small Travel Expenses (Incidental Journey Expenses): Minor costs related to traveling to and from the airport.

The National Overseas Scholarship scheme is of great help; however, it has specific rules with respect to what it does not cover, so as to ensure that the funds are used for the right purpose:

• Undergraduate Courses: This is a key point: the National Overseas Scholarship for undergraduate students is generally not provided. The scheme specifically supports only Master's, Ph.D., and Post-doctoral research degrees abroad.
• Studying in India: The scholarship is strictly for studies outside India. Courses pursued within India are not eligible.
• Already Have a Foreign Degree? If you've already earned a Master's or Ph.D. from a foreign university, you typically can't apply for another similar degree under this scholarship.
• Other Scholarships: If you're already receiving financial help or another scholarship for overseas study from the central or a state government, you cannot get this scholarship at the same time.
• Working During Study: Scholars are generally expected to focus full-time on their studies. There might be rules limiting or preventing you from taking up employment during your course, unless the scheme specifically allows it.
• Unrecognized Schools/Courses: Your study program or institution must be recognized and accredited by the relevant authorities in the host country. It must also meet the specified university ranking criteria; otherwise, it won't be covered.

Read the article on the Naan Mudhalvan UPSC Prelims Scholarship Scheme 2025!

How to Apply for the NOS Scheme 2025-26?

The application process for the National Overseas Scholarship scheme usually happens online. You apply through the official websites of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment or the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

For the National Overseas Scholarship scheme 2025-26:

• The application period often opens in several rounds each year. For example, the first round for 2025-26 usually opened around February/March and closed by late March/April.
• Results for this first selection round for the 2025-26 academic year have typically been announced by July.
• Sometimes, a second round of applications opens. This might happen around September/October if there are still scholarship slots available. This depends on funds and official announcements. So, if you're looking for the National Overseas Scholarship scheme for SC 2025-26 last date or the National Overseas Scholarship scheme for ST 2025-26 second round, make sure to regularly check the official websites for the exact notification and application deadlines.

You'll typically need documents like academic records, caste certificate, income certificate, your unconditional offer letter from a foreign university, passport copy, and other proofs.

The National Overseas Scholarship scheme is much more than just a way to pay for studies. It's a strong tool for empowering society and developing the nation. By helping talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds study at top institutions worldwide, it not only changes individual lives by making them globally competitive but also greatly adds to India's intellectual strength and its standing in the world. As the National Overseas Scholarship 2025-26 and future years continue, they will surely keep paving the way for a more inclusive, skilled, and globally competitive India.

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