National Overseas Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, Deadline

National Overseas Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, Deadline

National Overseas Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, Deadline

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The Indian government's National Overseas Scholarship Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans studying at top universities abroad. It offers funding for up to three years for graduates and four years for doctoral students. Approximately 125 scholarships are awarded each year, 115 of which are for SC candidates.

Scholarship details
Offered by  The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
Amount granted  Variable
Type of scholarship Need-based
Level of program Graduate & Doctoral
Application deadline March 31, 2025 (tentative) 
Renewability Annual renewal
International students Indian students
Official URL National Overseas Scholarship

Read also: Scholarships for International Students to study Abroad 

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Benefits of the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme covers a significant portion of the costs for students studying abroad. The main areas of funding are:

  • list items Tuition Fees: Academic fees are fully covered.
  • list items Visa Fees: Payment for visa application fees.
  • list items Maintenance Allowance: Help with living expenses.
  • list items Contingency Fund: Additional funds for unexpected expenses.
  • list items Medical Insurance Premium: Cost of health insurance.
  • list items Contingency Travel and Equipment: Amount for travel expenses and necessary equipment. 
  • list items Air tickets: The cost of travel to and from the destination country.
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    Eligibility Criteria for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

    To apply for Indian Overseas Scholarship, applicants must fulfill the following requirements. 

    1. Caste Requirements: 

  • list items They belong to one of the listed species. If none or few applicants are from the target groups, students from other castes will be considered accordingly. 
  • 2. University Admissions: 

  • list items Foreign university admissions are in the top 500 in the world (QS ranking 2023). 
  • 3. Study exclusions: 

  • list items NOS does not offer courses or research in Indian culture, heritage, history and social studies.
  • 4. No Other Funding:

  • list items Applicants must have no other sources of funding.
  • 5. Academic Performance: 

  • list items Achieve a minimum of 60% on the last qualifying exam.
  • 6. Age requirement: 

  • list items Applicants must be under 35 years old.
  • 7. Family Income:

  • list items The annual family income should be less than 8 lakhs.
  • 8. Applicants: 

  • list items Applicants must submit their employer certificate of objection (NOC). 
  • 9. Visa Requirements: 

  • list items Students studying in the United States need a J-1 visa. 
  • 10. Bonding Agreement: 

  • list items Selected students must sign a scholarship to pay for tuition. 
  • 11. Organizational changes: 

  • list items Students cannot change their study institution unless their advisor leaves and no other advisors are available. To qualify for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025, you must meet these criteria.
  • Check our Comprehensive Guide before applying for scholarships

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    Application Process for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

    The application process for the Indian Overseas Scholarship is completely online and consists of the following steps:

  • list items Student registration: Visit the official website and fill out the Student Registration Form.
  • list items Upload Required Documents: Please upload all required documents as specified in the application guidelines.
  • To be considered for the scholarship, make sure you complete both steps accurately and submit all required information and documentation.

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    Documents Required for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government

    To apply for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government, you must submit the following documents:

    1. Academic Certificates: Copies of all applicable academic transcripts and certificates.

    2. Caste identity card: proof of identity with a particular ethnic group. 

    3. Unconditional offer letter: A letter of acceptance from a foreign university. 

    4. Family income certificate: Proof that your family’s annual income is less than Rs 8 lakh. 

    5. Aadhaar card: Provide a copy of your Aadhaar card to verify your identity. 

    6. Photo: A recent passport-sized painting. 

    7. Scanned Signature: A digital copy of your signature. 

    8. When submitting to the application portal, make sure all documents are clear and legible.

    Explore alternative of scholarships to finance your education -

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    Selection Process for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

    The selection process for the National Overseas Scholarship involves several steps:

    1. Application criteria:

  • list items The Selection and Screening Committee reviews eligible applications. 
  • 2. University ranking analysis:

  • list items Candidates are selected on the basis of their admission to the university. The list of shortlisted candidates will be published on the official website. 
  • list items Selected applicants will also receive an email confirming their selection for the first round.
  • 3. Family Income Consideration:

  • list items In the first level of selection, the family income for the last financial year is considered.
  • list items For the second level, the family income of the last 2-3 years is taken into account.
  • 4.  Provisional Scholarship Offer:

  • list items Selected candidates will receive a provisional scholarship letter, which they must confirm and send back.
  • 5. Verification and Documentation:

  • list items Beneficiaries will undergo processes such as verification of original documents, submission of Bonds, solvency certificates, and other required documentation.
  • 6. Selection Period:

  • list items The selection period typically occurs from March to April each year.
  • By following these steps, the selection committee ensures that the most deserving candidates are awarded the National Overseas Scholarship.

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    How Can I Contact the Government of India for National Overseas Scholarship 2025?

    To get your questions or queries answered, you can contact the Government of India by using the below-mentioned contact details:

    Shri Sanjay Singh
    Under Secretary
    Shastri Bhawan Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi-110001
    Phone: 011 23384023 (All working days 3 PM to 5 PM)
    Email: so-nos-msje@gov.in

    For Technical queries Only

    Phone: 011 23073443 (from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM)
    Email: so-nos-msje@gov.in

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which Indian government scheme funds education abroad for students belonging to select marginalized castes? 

    The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian government funds members of select marginalized castes to study abroad. 

    Is 55% marks mandatory for students who have already been admitted to universities abroad? 

    The criterion of minimum marks does not apply to students admitted to any of the top 1,000 QS-ranked universities. 

    Which are the subjects eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian government? 

    STEM, Management, Economics, Finance, Law, Agriculture and Medicine, Humanities, and Social Science are the fields of study eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship.

    How many ST students are awarded the National Overseas Scholarships Scheme for each field of study? 

    Twenty scholarships are available under the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for the year 2023 - 24, and the number of scholarships for ST students in\ each eligible field of study is as follows: 

    • STEM (Pure/AppliedScience, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics) - 10
    • Management, Economics, Finance, Law - 04
    • Agriculture and Medicine - 04
    • Humanities and Social Science - 02
    Can I edit the application form for the National Overseas Scholarship after submission?

    Once submitted, you can’t edit the application form for the National Overseas Scholarship. You can reach out to the grievance portal and raise your concern to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 

    Does the National Overseas Scholarship cover expenses of the spouse or children? 

    The National Overseas Scholarship does not fund for the costs associated with the student’s spouse or children.

    How to apply for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government?

    The application process is available online and involves these steps: 

    • Visit the official website: Visit the official website of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. 
    • Register: Complete the student registration form with your own course information.
    • Upload documents: Upload digital images of this: 
    • Educational Certificate 
    • Caste Certificate 
    • Unconditional offer letter 
    • Family Income Certificate 
    • Aadhaar card 
    • Photo 
    • Scanned Signature
    • Send the application: Check all the details and submit your application online.
    • Confirmation: Receive an email confirming your application. 

    Ensure that all steps are completed accurately and before the deadline.

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