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National Overseas Scholarship 2024-25: Complete Guide for SC, Denotified Tribes & Artisans to Study Abroad

National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2024-25: Empowering Marginalized Students to Study Abroad
India’s progress toward inclusive growth depends on providing equal opportunities to every section of society. The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) scheme by the Government of India is a transformative initiative that enables students from historically marginalized communities to pursue higher education abroad and gain global exposure.
Implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, the National Overseas Scholarship supports students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans to study in reputed international universities. By enabling access to world-class education, the scheme aims to enhance the economic, social, and professional status of these communities.
For aspiring students from disadvantaged backgrounds, this scholarship provides a powerful opportunity to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. programs abroad, build international skills, and contribute to India’s development.
Objective of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
The primary objective of the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is to facilitate higher education opportunities abroad for meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds belonging to specific categories.
The scheme aims to:
  1. Support students from marginalized communities to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. programs in reputed foreign universities.
  2. Improve the economic and social mobility of disadvantaged groups.
  3. Encourage global exposure, advanced research, and knowledge exchange.
  4. Create a skilled and globally competent workforce that contributes to India's development.
Through this initiative, the Government of India ensures that financial constraints do not prevent talented students from accessing global education opportunities.
Scope of the Scholarship
The National Overseas Scholarship provides financial assistance for postgraduate and doctoral studies abroad in recognized universities.
Key aspects of the scheme include:
1. Courses Covered
The scholarship supports:
  1. Master’s Degree Programs
  2. Ph.D. Programs
These courses must be pursued in universities or institutions accredited by the government or an authorized body of the respective country.
Important:
Bachelor’s degree programs are not covered under the scheme.
2. Annual Scholarship Slots
Every year, 125 fresh scholarships are awarded under the scheme, subject to the availability of funds.
The category-wise distribution is as follows:
  1. Scheduled Castes (SC): 115 scholarships
  2. Denotified Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes: 6 scholarships
  3. Landless Agricultural Labourers & Traditional Artisans: 4 scholarships
To ensure balanced representation across the country:
  1. A maximum of 10% of total slots is allowed per state.
  2. If a state does not fill its quota, the remaining slots may be reallocated to candidates from other states based on merit.
3. Reservation for Women
To promote gender equality in higher education:
  1. 30% of the scholarships are reserved for women candidates.
If an adequate number of women applicants are not available, the remaining slots may be allocated to eligible male candidates.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the National Overseas Scholarship, candidates must fulfill specific eligibility conditions.
1. Educational Qualification
Applicants must have:
  1. Minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination.
The qualifying degree depends on the course applied for:
Course
Required Qualification
Master’s Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Ph.D.
Master’s Degree
If a student has completed Bachelor of Engineering through lateral entry after a diploma, only the marks obtained in the bachelor’s degree will be considered.
Applicants must submit mark sheets for all semesters. If the university uses CGPA, a certified CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula must be provided.
Failure to provide complete documents will lead to application rejection.
2. Age Limit
Applicants must be:
Not more than 35 years old as of April 1 of the selection year.
3. Income Criteria
The scheme is intended for economically weaker families.
The total annual family income must not exceed ₹8 lakh in the preceding financial year.
Income proof requirements include:
  1. Income certificate issued by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar
  2. Income Tax Returns (ITR) of family members
  3. CPC Intimation under Section 143(1) from the Income Tax Department
4. Definition of Family
For determining income, the family includes:
  1. The applicant
  2. Parents
  3. Siblings below 18 years
  4. Spouse
  5. Children below 18 years
For married women applicants, the family includes:
  1. Husband
  2. Children below 18
  3. In-laws
5. Admission Requirement
Applicants must have an unconditional offer of admission from a foreign university.
Priority is given to students admitted to:
Top 500 universities according to QS World University Rankings.
In the second selection cycle, priority may also be given to:
  1. Other QS-ranked institutions
  2. Other recognized universities abroad
6. Restrictions
Applicants are not eligible if they:
  1. Are already studying abroad
  2. Have completed studies abroad
  3. Have availed another overseas scholarship funded by the government or other agencies
Maximum Number of Children Eligible
Under the scheme:
  1. A candidate can receive the scholarship only once in a lifetime.
  2. Not more than two children from the same family can benefit from the scholarship.
  3. The second child will be considered only if slots remain available in the final cycle of selection.
Financial Assistance Provided
The National Overseas Scholarship covers most major expenses related to studying abroad.
1. Maintenance Allowance
Students receive annual maintenance support:
Country
Annual Allowance
USA
$15,400
UK
£9,900
2. Contingency Allowance
Additional contingency support is provided:
Country
Allowance
USA
$1,500
UK
£1,100
3. Other Financial Benefits
The scholarship also covers:
  1. Tuition Fees (actual cost)
  2. Visa Fees
  3. Medical Insurance
  4. Economy Class Airfare (one round trip)
These benefits significantly reduce the financial burden of international education.
Duration of the Scholarship
The scholarship duration depends on the course level:
Course
Maximum Duration
Master’s Degree
Up to 3 years
Ph.D.
Up to 4 years
Application Process
Eligible students can apply through the official scholarship portal.
Application Portal:
www.nosmsje.gov.in
The application process is completely online.
Application Cycles
Applications are accepted in two cycles each year.
First Round
February 15 – March 31
Second Round
September 1 – October 15
Applicants are advised to apply early and ensure all documents are uploaded correctly.
Documents Required
Applicants must upload the following documents:
  1. Caste certificate
  2. Income certificate
  3. Educational mark sheets
  4. Degree certificates
  5. Admission offer letter
  6. Passport details
  7. Proof of financial documents
  8. Incomplete documentation may lead to application rejection.
Conditions and Obligations for Scholarship Awardees
Scholarship recipients must comply with several important conditions.
Return to India
After completing their studies:
  1. Scholars must return to India within 30 days.
  2. They must stay in India for at least one year.
Reporting Funding Sources
If a candidate travels abroad before receiving the final award letter, they must inform the department about:
  1. Source of funding
  2. Educational loans
  3. Financial transactions
Failure to disclose this information may lead to cancellation of the scholarship.
Monitoring and Compliance
The performance of scholarship recipients is monitored through Indian Missions abroad.
Responsibilities include:
  1. Tracking academic progress
  2. Disbursing scholarship funds
  3. Ensuring compliance with scheme rules
Students who fail to complete their studies without valid reasons may be declared defaulters and may have to refund the scholarship amount with penalties.
Why the National Overseas Scholarship Matters
The National Overseas Scholarship plays a crucial role in promoting social justice, educational equality, and global exposure for marginalized communities.
By enabling students to access world-class education abroad, the scheme contributes to:
  1. Reducing educational inequality
  2. Building skilled human capital
  3. Promoting global knowledge exchange
  4. Strengthening India’s talent pool
For many students from disadvantaged backgrounds, the NOS scheme represents a life-changing opportunity to achieve global academic excellence.
Final Thoughts
The National Overseas Scholarship 2024-25 is one of the most impactful initiatives supporting students from marginalized communities to pursue higher education abroad.
With financial support covering tuition, living expenses, and travel, the scheme removes significant barriers and opens doors to global opportunities.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria should explore this scholarship and apply within the prescribed timelines to take a step toward a brighter academic and professional future.




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