National Overseas Scholarship opens global study opportunities for marginalized students

The National Overseas Scholarship scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to support students from marginalized communities in pursuing higher education at foreign universities.

The scheme is open to candidates from Scheduled Castes, De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes; landless agricultural laborers; and traditional artisan families seeking admission to Master’s and PhD programs abroad.

Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in their qualifying examination, be below 35 years of age as of April 1 in the selection year, and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹8 lakh. A Bachelor’s degree is required for Master’s programs, while a Master’s degree is mandatory for PhD applicants.

A total of 125 scholarships are awarded annually, subject to fund availability. Of these, 115 are allocated to Scheduled Castes, 6 to De-notified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribes, and 4 to landless agricultural laborers and traditional artisans.

Additionally, 30% of the scholarships are reserved for women candidates, with provisions to reallocate seats if adequate applications are not received.

The scheme covers only Master’s and PhD courses, excluding undergraduate programs. Applicants are required to secure admission to recognized foreign universities, preferably those ranked among the top 500 globally.

Preference in the initial selection round is given to candidates with confirmed admission in top-ranked institutions, while later rounds may consider other recognized universities.

Selected candidates receive comprehensive financial support, including tuition fees, an annual maintenance allowance, contingency grants for academic expenses, visa fees, medical insurance, and travel costs such as economy class airfare. Funding is provided for up to three years for Master’s programs and four years for PhD courses.

Disbursement of funds is managed by Indian Missions abroad, which directly pay tuition fees to universities and provide maintenance and other allowances to students.

Applications must be submitted online through the official portal, nosmsje.gov.in. The selection process is conducted in two phases each year, with the first round typically held between February and March and a second round between September and October if seats remain vacant. Selection is based on the ranking of the university and the candidate’s academic performance.

Applicants must not have previously studied abroad with financial support from any government or agency. Only two children from the same family are eligible to benefit from the scheme, and candidates must have confirmed admission before final selection. Beneficiaries are also required to return to India after completing their studies.

The scheme aims to enable meritorious students from low-income and marginalized backgrounds to access global education opportunities and improve their social and economic mobility through advanced studies at reputed international institutions.