National Overseas Scholarship
Government of India scholarship for SC/ST students and allied groups to pursue master's or PhD abroad, covering tuition, stipend, and travel; 125 (SC) or 20 (ST) awards/year.
Am I eligible?At a glance
Study level
Master’s, PhD
Destination
Study abroad
Funding
Fully funded: tuition fees, maintenance allowance, contingency grant, and travel expenses. 30% of awards reserved for women.
Eligible applicants
Indian citizens from SC, ST, DNT, Landless Labourer, or Traditional Artisan communities; age <35; household income ≤₹8 lakh; 60%+ qualifying degree; admission to a QS top-500 institution
Photo: Ansgar Koreng, CC BY 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
National Overseas Scholarship is offered by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India for Master’s, PhD study in Study abroad. Confirm the current cycle on the official page before applying.
What this scholarship covers
Tuition fees
Included
Maintenance allowance
Included
Contingency grant
Included
Travel expenses
Included
Fully funded: tuition fees, maintenance allowance, contingency grant, and travel expenses. 30% of awards reserved for women. Award components, amounts, and exclusions can change by intake, programme, nationality, or host institution, so confirm them on the official provider page.
Are you eligible?
Eligibility review
Based on the provider’s published information
International students
No
Domestic students
Conditional
Scholarship scope
Government scholarship
Last eligibility check
October 12, 2026
Who can apply
- Citizenship
- Applicant group: Eligible Indian social categories.
- International eligibility
- Open to citizens of Indian citizens from eligible social categories, subject to the current call’s country list.
- AgeRequired
- Under 35 years of age as of April 1 of the selection year
Academic requirements
- Academic recordRequired
- Minimum 60% marks in the qualifying degree; admission to a top-500 QS-ranked university
- Minimum grades / GPANot published
- No fixed minimum grade is listed for this scholarship. Check the provider’s current call for academic requirements.
Experience and personal requirements
- Financial needRequired
- Annual household income not exceeding ₹8 lakh
Study restrictions and coverage
- AdmissionRequired
- Must have an offer from a top-500 QS-ranked institution for master's or PhD study
Official eligibility summary
Open to: Indian citizens from SC, ST, DNT, Landless Labourer, or Traditional Artisan communities; age <35; household income ≤₹8 lakh; 60%+ qualifying degree; admission to a QS top-500 institution. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
Applicant profile
- Indian citizens from SC, ST, DNT, Landless Labourer, or Traditional Artisan communities; age <35; household income ≤₹8 lakh; 60%+ qualifying degree; admission to a QS top-500 institution
Study route
- Master’s, PhD study in Study abroad
Current-cycle criteria
- Open to: Indian citizens from SC, ST, DNT, Landless Labourer, or Traditional Artisan communities; age <35; household income ≤₹8 lakh; 60%+ qualifying degree; admission to a QS top-500 institution. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India also sets academic, admission, and any nationality or residence rules on its official page.
What to confirm for this cycle
Scholarship details can change from one application cycle to the next. Check these points on the official page before you apply.
- Current eligibility rules
- Current funding and benefits
- Current deadline and application route
Required documents
- Online NOS application
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/DNT/etc.)
- Income certificate (≤₹8 lakh)
- Qualifying degree certificate (60%+)
- Offer letter from QS top-500 institution
How to apply
- 1
Check nosmsje.gov.in (SC) or overseas.tribal.gov.in (ST) for the next application window
- 2
Obtain an offer from a QS top-500 institution before applying
- 3
Apply online with caste certificate, income certificate, and admission offer
Application timeline
Application cycle
SC scheme: 2026 first round closed June 2, 2026; watch nosmsje.gov.in for 2027 round. ST scheme: overseas.tribal.gov.in.
The listed deadline is June 2, 2026. Confirm it on the provider’s official page.
Always confirm the latest deadline on the official provider website.
Official source
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, India
Official scholarship source
Last checked October 12, 2026
Your next steps
- 01Read the official programme guidance.
- 02Confirm eligibility, funding, and the deadline.
- 03Check the current application cycle.
- 04Apply through the official provider.
Frequently asked questions
When is the next deadline?
The listed deadline is June 2, 2026. Confirm that it remains current on the official provider page.
Why do some details vary?
Scholarship conditions can differ by intake, study programme, nationality, and host institution. The official provider page is the source of the current rules.