National Overseas Scholarship India: One of these key schemes is the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), under which 125 scholarships are awarded annually.
National Overseas Scholarship India: Every year, millions of students dream of going abroad to pursue their studies. Gaining admission to a prestigious university, studying in a new country, and building a promising career—all of this feels like a monumental opportunity; however, the biggest obstacle standing in the way of this dream is often financial constraints. Frequently, deserving and hardworking students are left behind simply because they lack the adequate resources to cover the costs of studying abroad. To address this very issue, the Government of India administers several scholarship schemes. One such pivotal initiative is the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), under which 125 scholarships are awarded annually. This scheme has been specifically designed for students belonging to economically weaker and backward sections of society, enabling them to pursue higher education abroad as well.
What is the National Overseas Scholarship?
The National Overseas Scholarship is administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Its primary objective is to provide assistance to students hailing from socially and economically weaker sections who aspire to pursue their studies abroad. This scholarship is awarded exclusively for postgraduate (Master’s) and PhD programs.
Who Can Apply?
Not everyone is eligible to avail the benefits of this scholarship. It has been designed specifically for certain categories of people. These include students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, as well as families of landless agricultural laborers and traditional artisans. Certain essential conditions have also been stipulated for this scheme. Specifically, the applicant must have secured a minimum of 60 percent marks. The maximum age limit for applying is 35 years. Additionally, the family’s annual income must not exceed ₹8 lakh. Furthermore, the student must have already secured admission to—or hold an offer of admission from—a recognized university abroad.
How to Apply?
1. Applications for this scholarship are submitted entirely online. First, visit the official website: nosmsje.gov.in.
2. Register on the site to create a Login ID.
3. Fill in your personal and academic details.
4. Now, upload the necessary documents, such as your Caste Certificate, Income Certificate, Academic Certificates, and Proof of Admission.
5. After accurately filling in all the information, submit the form.
When does the selection process take place?
Selection for this scholarship is conducted twice a year. The first phase takes place in February–March, and—if seats remain available—the second phase is held in September–October. Priority is given to students who have already secured admission to a top-ranked university.
How many scholarships are awarded?
A total of 125 scholarships are awarded annually, comprising 115 scholarships for Scheduled Caste (SC) students, 6 scholarships for Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, and 4 scholarships for landless agricultural laborers and families of traditional artisans. Furthermore, 30 percent of the seats are reserved for women. If a sufficient number of female candidates are not found, these seats may be allocated to other eligible candidates.
What expenses does this scholarship cover?
The most significant feature of this scheme is that it covers almost the entire cost of education. This scholarship includes full tuition fees, a stipend for living and food expenses, a contingency grant for academic requirements, visa fees, medical insurance, and airfare for travel. This assistance relieves students of their financial burden, thereby enabling them to focus entirely on their studies.


