National Overseas Scholarship

Updated on: 12 Sep 2023

The best merit-based aid for a student can come through scholarships, especially for those who want to study abroad. The National Overseas Scholarship is a program available to all Scheduled Tribe students who are already studying or intend to pursue higher education overseas for various Master, Ph.D., and Post-Doctoral research programs. It is one of the top scholarships for Indian students to study abroad. The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Indian government, requires applicants to meet certain requirements.

The Indian Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment offers the National Overseas Scholarship to Indian students. This program offers students from socially and economically disadvantaged groups the chance to study abroad at a reputable university.

The Objective of the National Overseas Scholarship

The goal of the Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship is to make it easier for low-income students from the Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Landless Agricultural Laborers, and Traditional Artisans categories to pursue higher education abroad, specifically Master's or Phd.-level programs, thereby enhancing their economic and social standing.

Some facts about the Scheme:

• For female students, 30% of all National Overseas Scholarships are offered.
• The National Overseas Scholarship can be used to enroll in master's and doctoral programs in the US, the UK, Germany, and other countries.
• The program pays for attendance costs, health insurance, travel costs, and other ancillary costs.
• In order to study abroad at universities like Boston University, Harvard University, University of Iowa, etc., students must receive scores on all of the exams they are needed to take.
• Each year, the portal will be active from February 15 through March 31 to accept applications for the first round of selection for the next selection year.

Note: Although most universities in the US, Australia, Germany, Canada, and other countries accept the National Overseas Scholarship, applicants are still encouraged to confirm this before beginning the application process.

Eligibility Criteria for National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship is accepted at numerous universities in Canada, Germany, the US, and other countries, as was already indicated. In addition to meeting the university's entrance requirements, applicants must also meet the requirements for the scholarship program in order to be eligible.

Candidates for the National Overseas Scholarship who are SC, ST, or OBC must meet the criteria listed below:

Educational Qualification for National Overseas Scholarship

For Masters: Minimum 60%, or the undergraduate equivalent.

For doctorate: Minimum 60%, or its equivalent at the master's level.

The percentage of marks earned in the Bachelor's degree will be taken into consideration if a student completed their Bachelor of Engineering after finishing their Diploma (Lateral Entry to 2nd year).

Candidates should be aware that those with relevant experience will be given preference.

Maximum Age Limit: Not more than 35 years, as on the first day of April for the selection year.

Maximum Permissible Income Limit: Total family income should not exceed 8,00,000 INR.

Children Criteria: The National Overseas Scholarship can only be used by two children of the same parent.

Along with meeting these criteria, it's important for applicants to achieve the minimum score requirements on exams like the IELTS, PTE, GMAT, GRE, etc. Each university has specific standards for minimum ELP and other test scores.

Note:

• Courses leading to a bachelor's degree are ineligible for the award.
• Candidates who have already moved in or are enrolled overseas will not be taken into consideration for the scholarship.
• A single-family may submit a maximum of two candidates for this scholarship.

Application Process

On the official website of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the application form for the National Overseas Scholarship will be made accessible beginning in the first week of April.

Students must submit their full applications and all needed supporting documentation by the specified deadline. All students must produce self-attested copies of the following records, as per the Ministry's requirements:

1. Certificate of Grade 10th
2. Certificate of Caste
3. Photo
4. Digital Signature
5. Proof of current address or permanent address in cases where it differs from current address
6. Provisional Certificate/ Qualifying Degree
7. Qualifying Examination Marksheet
8. A valid application, registration, or admission-related document (*) is required for admission to a foreign university.
9. Income tax returns for every family member.
10. If an applicant is employed, the NOC certificate from the employer. If there is a gap of more than six months after earning the required degree, a gap certificate is required.
11. Acceptance document for ITR.

Note: Mandatory Admission Offers from the chosen university in Canada, Germany, US.

Selection Process for National Overseas Scholarship

All applications are given fair consideration by the National Overseas Scholarship Selection Committee. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements are chosen to receive the scholarship grant.

The National Overseas Scholarship panel also emphasizes the following elements:

• Only the applications that are received by the due date are considered.
• Those who have previously been admitted to a university in the UK, Germany, Canada, etc. will be given preference.
• Students who have not yet been accepted to an international university will also be given conditional consideration.

If there is a tie between two or more applications, the procedure described below shall be used:

• First, the most qualified applicants will be offered the open positions reserved for female applicants.
• The remaining spots will then be filled by the qualified applicants who are older than the age limit; that is, the oldest applicant will be given the first open spot, and so forth in declining order.

Note that there will be NO extra interviews or group discussions for applicants

Details related to Grants

The following expenses, which a student could incur while studying abroad, are covered by the National Overseas Scholarship.
 The listed expenses are those that the scholarship will pay:

• Maintenance Allowance
• Poll Tax
• Contingency Allowance
• Tuition Fees
• Allowance for Incidental Travel and Equipment
• Visa Fees
• Local Travel
• Medical Insurance Premium
• Air Passage

Read Also:

• Study Abroad Scholarships (2023) for Indian Students
• Scholarships to Study in Australia
• US Scholarships for Indian Students
• UK Scholarships for Indian Students
• Canada Scholarships for Indian Students
• Study Abroad Scholarship via GyanDhan

Period of the Award with Financial Aid

The required financial aid will be given up until the course/research is completed or the following time, whichever occurs first:

Ph.D. - Four years
Master’s Degree - Three years

Scope

• The Scheme offers selected students financial aid to pursue Master’s and Ph.D.- level studies abroad at institutions and universities recognized by the government or other appropriate bodies of the country in any field of study.
• Depending on funding, 125 new awards will be made under the Scheme in each selection year.
• The allocation of slots per category for different groups eligible for scholarships under the scheme will be as follows:
   

FAQs

What qualifies someone for eligibility?

• Age under 35 as of the first day of April in each selection year.
• A family's income must not exceed Rs. 8,00,000 per annum.

Whether the scholarship is offered for courses at the graduate level?

No, only Master's and Ph.D. scholarships are available under the Scheme.

What are the prerequisite qualifications?

Graduation for Masters and Post-Graduation for doctoral degrees.

Can the candidate submit an offline application?

No

Who provides the help?

The concerned Indian Missions are responsible for paying the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's financial assistance for the awardees' permissible overseas and domestic expenses. Following the final selection of a candidate for award under the scheme, this Ministry issues a letter of award to the nominee.

Within what time frame does the nominee have to accept the award?

A chosen candidate must accept the prize within a year of receiving notification from this Ministry that they have been chosen for it. When this time frame expires, the prize is automatically canceled.

What should I do after being admitted?

After an applicant receives confirmation of admission to a foreign university or college, the candidate must inform this Ministry, which may then confirm the admission through Indian embassies overseas. This Ministry will provide the concerned candidate with a "confirmed award letter" following receipt of the admission confirmation, in which the specifics of the course, educational facility, and other information will also be included.

How to obtain a visa?

The interested candidate may get in touch with the embassy, consulate, or mission of the foreign nation in India after receiving confirmation of acceptance to a certain program in a foreign educational institution. Nevertheless, the candidates should only apply for visas that require them to return to India after completing their degree overseas. The Indian government does not offer any aid to applicants for visas.

What procedures must be followed before beginning international study?

Before traveling abroad, the chosen applicants must submit the necessary legal paperwork and other agreements, as determined from time to time by the Government of India. The candidates must also get in touch with the relevant Indian Mission as soon as they are abroad and give a joining report that has been properly certified by the university. In the event of hired candidates, they must additionally execute any bonds, agreements, etc. that the company may require.

• Scholarships 

First published date: 25 Nov 2022