National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2026: Application, Eligibility & Benefits for SC/ST Students
Complete guide to the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for SC, ST, and Landless Agriculture Labour categories. Learn about eligibility, funding, and applicat
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India designed to provide financial assistance to selected students from marginalized communities to pursue Master’s level courses or Ph.D. degrees in prestigious universities abroad. Managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, this scheme aims to bridge the gap in international education access.
What is this scheme?
The National Overseas Scholarship is a central sector scheme that offers full financial support for tuition, living expenses, and travel to students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans categories. It covers a wide range of subjects including Engineering, Management, Medicine, Pure Sciences, and Social Sciences at global institutions.
Who is eligible?
- Applicant must belong to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Tribes (DNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, or Traditional Artisans categories.
- Minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
- Applicant must be below 35 years of age as of the first day of April in the selection year.
- Total family income from all sources must not exceed INR 8,00,000 per annum.
- Not more than two children of the same parents/guardians are eligible for the scholarship.
- The candidate must have secured admission in a top-ranked foreign university (as per QS rankings).
How much money?
The scholarship covers full tuition fees, an annual maintenance allowance (approx. USD 15,400 for USA and GBP 9,900 for UK, subject to revision), contingency allowance, visa fees, medical insurance premiums, and airfare (economy class).
Documents needed
- Caste Certificate issued by a competent authority.
- Income Certificate for the current financial year.
- Date of Birth proof (10th Standard Certificate).
- Mark sheets of all degrees/diplomas obtained.
- Unconditional offer letter from a foreign university.
- Copy of Passport.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Self-Declaration regarding the number of siblings.
How to apply (step by step)
- Visit the official Centralized Online Portal for National Overseas Scholarship.
- Register as a new user by providing basic details and generating a login ID.
- Fill out the comprehensive application form with academic and personal details.
- Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the specified format.
- Submit the application and download the acknowledgement receipt.
- Wait for the merit list based on QS university rankings and academic performance.
- If selected, attend the document verification and induction process as directed by the Ministry.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opening Date | As per latest notification, verify on official portal |
| Application Closing Date | As per latest notification, verify on official portal |
| Verification Cycle | Ongoing through the mid-year academic session |
Conclusion
The National Overseas Scholarship remains a transformative opportunity for students from disadvantaged backgrounds to excel on the global stage. By removing the financial barriers to international education, the Government of India empowers SC and ST scholars to bring back global expertise to the nation. Interested candidates should keep their documents ready and monitor the official portal for the next call for applications.
Comments (0)
Sign up to join the conversation.