The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which helps students from low-income groups and from marginalized communities in pursuing their Master’s and PhD programs abroad.
Each year, the government awards around 125 scholarships to eligible candidates who are admitted to recognized international universities. The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme covers major expenses, which include tuition fees, living costs, airfare, and visa charges, aiming to bridge educational gaps and empower students through advanced academic and research opportunities worldwide.
In this guide, we have covered the eligibility criteria, benefits, how to apply, documents that are required, scholarship deadlines, the selection process for the scholarship, and how to check the application status. m
Who is Eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship?
The scholarship is available to students who belong to notified communities and who have also secured admission to eligible master's or PhD programs at some recognised universities abroad.
Along with this, there are a few important criteria you need to meet, which are listed below:
A. Academic Eligibility Requirements
In order to get the scholarship, the applicants must meet the following criteria:
You must have secured admission to a Master's degree or PhD program at an accredited university outside India.
You should have the minimum educational qualification required for the course level in which you are planning to apply.
To get the scholarship for a Master's program, you must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade.
For a PhD program, you must have a master's degree with at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade.
The course you are applying for should be pursued on a full-time basis.
B. Community and Age Requirements
To be eligible for the scholarship:
You must belong to one of the eligible notified communities under the scheme.
Your age should be below 35 years as of 1 April 2026.
Your total annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh.
The scholarship is available under the following categories:
Scheduled Castes (SC)
Communities that are traditionally nomadic or move from place to place
Landless Agricultural Labourers
Traditional Artisans
The National Overseas Scholarship for SC students provides the largest share of scholarships under the scheme.
The program also supports eligible candidates with the help of reserved provisions for women and persons with benchmark disabilities, as specified in the National Overseas scholarship scheme guidelines.
Who cannot apply for the National Overseas Scholarship?
You may not be eligible for the scholarship in the following cases:
You are above the prescribed age limit.
Your annual family income exceeds ₹8 lakh.
You have not secured admission to an eligible university abroad.
You do not possess the required academic qualifications.
You have previously received benefits under the NOS Scholarship.
You are pursuing a course which has not yet been covered under the scheme.
Benefits of the National Overseas Scholarship
The scholarships will provide full financial support towards the cost of higher learning outside of India. The funding will take care of the tuition, living, travel, and other expenses for the course duration.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the benefits offered under the Scholarship:
Benefits of National Overseas Scholarship
Coverage in the National Overseas Scholarship
Annual Maintenance Allowance (USA & other countries except the UK)
USD 15,400 (approx. INR 14.55L) per year
Annual Maintenance Allowance (UK)
GBP 9,900 (approx. INR 12.34L) per year
Annual Contingency Allowance (USA & other countries except the UK)
USD 1,500 (approx. INR 1.41L) per year
Annual Contingency Allowance (UK)
GBP 1,100 (approx. INR 1.37L) per year
Tuition Fees
Actual tuition fees charged by the university (as per scheme provisions)
Visa Fees
Actual visa charges (where applicable)
Medical Insurance
Actual premium charged
Airfare
Economy-class airfare for one onward and one return journey
Incidental Journey Allowance
USD 20 (approx. INR 2495) (or equivalent in Indian Rupees)
Equipment Allowance
USD 20 (approx. INR 2495) (or equivalent in Indian Rupees)
The scholarship amount is released through the Indian Missions abroad in accordance with the provisions of the scheme. Maintenance allowance is disbursed periodically based on the scholar's satisfactory academic progress, while tuition fees and other approved expenses are paid as per the applicable guidelines.
How to Apply for the National Overseas Scholarship?
You can apply for this scholarship only through the official National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Portal. There is no offline route, so the whole process happens online, and you have to finish every step before the last date.
Here is how to apply for the National Overseas Scholarship by the Indian government:
Step 1: Register on the NOS Portal
Visit the official National Overseas Scholarship portal using a browser and register on that portal using your email ID and mobile number.
Step 2: Complete Your Profile
Log in to your account and enter details like your personal information, academic qualifications, family income, and other communication details.
Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form
Complete the online application form by providing the information related to your admission, university, course, and the destination of your study.
Step 4: Upload Supporting Documents
Upload all the required documents in the right format and size as mentioned on the portal.
Step 5: Review Your Application
Carefully verify all the information entered and ensure that the documents which you have uploaded are correct and reliable.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Submit your application before the application deadline and keep a copy of the application form and for future reference.
Applicants can edit their applications during the correction window, which is released by the Ministry, after which no further modifications are permitted.
Documents Required for National Overseas Scholarship
Students who are applying for the scholarship must upload essential documents to verify their identity, eligibility, academic background, and financial status for the Scholarship. These documents make sure accurate evaluation and confirmation of eligibility during the selection process.
The following documents are generally required:
Aadhaar Card or any other valid government-issued identity proof
Passport
Passport-size photograph
Community (Caste) Certificate issued by the competent authority
Income Certificate issued by the competent authority
Educational qualification certificates and marksheets
Admission or offer letter from the foreign university
Proof of university accreditation or recognition (if required)
Fee structure issued by the university
Valid passport copy
Bank account details
Disability certificate (if applicable)
Any other document that has been specified in the scheme guidelines
Note: All uploaded documents must be clear, valid, and match the information that has been mentioned within the application form. Applications that have incomplete or incorrect documents may be rejected during verification.
The Government of India announces the NOS application cycle every year. Applications are usually accepted in two rounds. Therefore, you should monitor the official notifications very carefully and submit your application on time.
Every year, around 125 scholarship applications are accepted, meaning that missing the deadline would probably signify the end of your chances. It is important to note that the timetable is subject to slight variations yearly, so avoid making use of the previous year’s times and check the announcements.
The application timeline generally works as follows:
Online applications open on the official National Overseas Scholarship portal.
Students who are applying for the scholarship must submit their forms before the prescribed closing date.
A correction window is provided to edit eligible fields in the submitted application.
Any applications that are received after the deadline are rejected.
The final merit list is prepared once the document verification and eligibility assessment are complete.
Since the Ministry may revise the application schedule each year, applicants should regularly visit the official National Overseas Scholarship portal for the latest notifications and important dates.
Students who are planning to apply for the scholarship are advised to visit the scholarship portal from time to time in order to avoid missing any updates regarding the deadlines.
National Overseas Scholarship Selection Process
The selection process for this scholarship is carried out by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment according to the provisions of the scheme guidelines.
Here is the detailed description of the selection process:
Review of Applications: Applications are reviewed to ensure that the applicants are fulfilling the eligibility criteria as stated in the scheme.
Verification of Documents: The uploaded credentials, income documents, documentation of community, and admission documents will be reviewed.
Preparation of Merit List: The eligible candidates are assigned a rank based on their respective academic qualifications and other details as mentioned in the scheme guidelines.
Distribution of Scholarships: Awards of scholarships are made according to the slots available, reservation rules, and rank in the merit list.
Final Confirmation: A list of selected candidates is published on the official website along with the grant of scholarships after the verification process is completed.
Preference is given in accordance with the reservation provisions and selection criteria notified by the Ministry.
The National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe students is also awarded in accordance with the eligibility conditions and reservation provisions applicable under the scheme guidelines.
How to Check National Overseas Scholarship Status?
You can track your application after logging in to the official scholarship portal. On the portal, you will find updates on how far your application has progressed, which verification stage it is at, and the final selection result.
The Ministry sends instructions and notices through both, and missing one could cost you, so it's better to check the portal to avoid any miss.
Here is how to check your application status:
Step 1: Visit the Official NOS Portal
Open the National Overseas Scholarship portal in any web browser.
Step 2: Log in to Your Account
Sign in with the email ID or mobile number you registered with, along with your password.
Step 3: Open the Dashboard
After logging in, go to your applicant dashboard.
Step 4: View Application Status
Click on your submitted application. You will see the latest status, including document verification, scrutiny and selection updates.
Keep an eye on the portal and your registered email until the final result is declared, since all notifications from the Ministry come through them.
Common Reasons for Rejection of National Overseas Scholarship
The NOS scholarship is only offered to 125 students, which is why it is very competitive. You need to meet every eligibility and documentation requirement, because even a small mistake or a miss can get you rejected at the screening or verification stage.
If you want to improve your chances of selection, give accurate information, submit the application form on time, and properly follow the guidelines.
Not Meeting the Academic Eligibility: If the applicant is not being able to meet the eligibility criteria, then he/she will be disqualified from the scholarship.
Exceeding the Family Income Limit: If your annual family income is above ₹8 lakh, you are not considered eligible.
Exceeding the Age Limit: If you are above the maximum age limit, your application is rejected, however strong your academic record is.
No Confirmed University Admission: You must have admission to an eligible foreign university. Without it, your application is rejected straight away.
Incomplete or Invalid Documents: If you have submitted invalid, missing or incomplete documents within your application, then it can cause your application to be disqualified.
Providing Incorrect Information: If the details which you have mentioned in your application is false and incorrect, then it can also be a reason for your application rejection
Missing the Application Deadline: If you have submitted your application after the official deadlines, then your application will be rejected automatically.
Ineligible Course or Institution: If the course for which you have applied is not available under the scholarship program then your application will be rejected.
Failing Document Verification: If you are not able to verify the documents that you have submitted for the scholarship application, then your application will be rejected.
Conclusion
The National Overseas Scholarship awards a total of 125 scholarships on an annual basis and sponsors studies of Master’s as well as PhD programs abroad. It covers tuition fees, accommodation costs, airfare, as well as visa fees and provides allowances of USD 15,400(non-UK), which is around INR 14.55 lakhs and GBP 9,900 in case of UK (approximately INR 12.34 lakhs). For eligible candidates, this scholarship makes studying of students abroad financially viable.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment operates this scheme for students belonging to backward communities. The income of the family of the applicant must be within the limit of INR 8 lakhs, and the applicant's age must be below 35. The selection takes place on a merit basis and follows a transparent application process, which helps in paving the way for world-class education.
Who is eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship?
Indian students coming from the listed communities can apply for this scholarship if they conform to academic, income and age requirements as well as have obtained admission in any prescribed Master's or Ph.D. course in an overseas university.
Can OBC students apply for the National Overseas Scholarship?
The National Overseas Scholarship is primarily meant for specific notified communities under the scheme. OBC candidates are generally not eligible unless they qualify under another eligible category mentioned in the latest government guidelines.
Can I apply for the National Overseas Scholarship without admission?
No in order to apply for the NOS scholarship applicants must generally obtain admission to an eligible Master's or PhD program at a recognised foreign university before submitting their scholarship application.
Can I receive another scholarship with the National Overseas Scholarship?
No. Students are usually not allowed to receive financial assistance for the same course under multiple government-funded overseas scholarship schemes. Applicants should review the latest scheme guidelines before applying.
How many students receive the National Overseas Scholarship every year?
The Government of India awards around 125 National Overseas Scholarships each year. The final selection for the scholarship depends on merit, reservation provisions, document verification, and the availability of scholarship slots under the scheme.
Do all educational courses come under the National Overseas Scholarship category?
This scholarship may be taken up to pursue full-time Master’s or Ph.D. level courses from recognized foreign institutions. The candidates are, however, advised to check the guidelines of the scheme prior to the application in order to verify whether their particular course falls under the categories allowed under the scheme.
Which are the various countries that are included in National Overseas Scholarship?
National Overseas Scholarship facilitates studies in recognized institutions in various countries like UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, New Zealand, and some other approved study destinations under the scheme guidelines.
Is it possible to apply for the scholarship again?
Yes, candidates may apply for the scholarship again if they satisfy all the eligibility criteria again and have not received any assistance through the National Overseas Scholarship program before.
Which universities are eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship?
The scholarship applies to accredited and recognised foreign universities offering eligible Master's and PhD programs. Applicants should ensure that their chosen institution satisfies the recognition requirements specified in the official scheme guidelines.
Who can apply for the National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste students?
To apply for the National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste students, you must be below 35 years of age and your family income must not be above ₹8 lakh a year. You also need admission to an eligible university abroad and the required academic qualifications. If you have received this scholarship before, you cannot apply again.
Is there a National Overseas Scholarship for ST students?
This scheme is meant for SC, nomadic, landless agricultural labourer and traditional artisan categories, so ST candidates are generally not covered under it. A separate National Overseas Scholarship for ST students is run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Check the latest guidelines of that scheme for its eligibility and dates.
What does the National Overseas Scholarship scheme by the Indian government cover?
The National Overseas Scholarship scheme by the Indian government pays for your tuition fees, visa fees, medical insurance and economy-class airfare. It also gives a yearly maintenance allowance and a contingency allowance. The money is released through the Indian Missions abroad as long as your academic progress is satisfactory.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |5025 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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