National Overseas Scholarship: Eligibility, Deadline & How to Apply

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a transformative initiative by the Government of India, sponsored by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is designed to empower outstanding students from low-income families belonging to marginalized communities, enabling them to pursue fully-funded Master's or Ph.D. degrees at the world's top universities.

The scholarship aims to facilitate the economic and social upliftment of communities, including Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landward Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. If you have the academic merit and drive to excel on a global stage, this scholarship provides the financial support and opportunity to achieve your academic dreams abroad.

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the application window is currently closed. This definitive guide will walk eligible Indian students through every aspect of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme, including eligibility, the application process, funding details, required paperwork, and key deadlines. Prepare yourself to seize this life-changing opportunity for personal and professional growth.

The National Overseas Scholarship is applicable only to Master's and PhD programs at top-ranked foreign universities. A key eligibility criterion is that you must have secured an unconditional offer of admission from an institution featured in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings.

You can choose from thousands of postgraduate courses offered by these elite global institutions. The university must be a top-500 QS-ranked university for the academic year you are applying for.

National Overseas Scholarship Awards

The National Overseas Scholarship is a significant, fully-funded opportunity for Indian students from marginalized backgrounds to pursue higher education at premier global institutions. It provides financial coverage for a wide range of expenses, allowing scholars to focus entirely on their studies without monetary stress.

The scholarship covers the following expenses:

• Full payment of tuition fees, subject to a maximum ceiling.

• Annual maintenance allowance to cover living costs.

• Contingency allowance for academic-related expenses.

• Visa fee reimbursement.

• Incidental journey & equipment allowance.

• Airfare from India to the study destination via the shortest route.

• Medical insurance premium.

National Overseas Scholarship Amount

The National Overseas Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for the entire duration of your course. The total value varies based on the country and tuition fees, but it is designed to cover all essential costs.

National Overseas Scholarship Benefits

Beyond the extensive financial coverage, the NOS offers profound long-term advantages. It opens doors to world-class education and serves as a catalyst for personal and community development.

The eligibility criteria for the National Overseas Scholarship are specific and must be met in full. The scheme is targeted towards specific communities with defined income and academic benchmarks.

Countries Eligible Under National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship is applicable for study in any country that hosts a university within the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings. This includes a wide range of nations across the globe.

The application process is completed online through the official National Overseas Scholarship portal. It is a competitive process that requires careful attention to detail at every stage.

1. Portal Registration: Create an account on the official NOS portal to begin your application.
2. Form Filling: Carefully fill in all required personal, academic, and financial details in the online form.
3. Document Upload: Scan and upload all necessary documents in the specified formats and file sizes.
4. Final Review: Double-check all entered information and uploaded documents for accuracy.
5. Form Submission: Submit the completed application form before the deadline.

Application Timeline for National Overseas Scholarship

The application timeline for the National Overseas Scholarship is announced annually. For the 2025-26 academic year, registration is currently closed. Prospective applicants should monitor the official website for updates regarding the next cycle.

National Overseas Scholarship Interview

The selection for the National Overseas Scholarship is primarily based on the merit of the application, including academic credentials and the validity of submitted documents. While an interview is not a standard part of the process for all candidates, the selection committee may shortlist applicants for a personal interview if necessary for clarification or further assessment.

If called for an interview, be prepared to discuss your academic goals, the relevance of your chosen course, your background, and how you plan to contribute to your community upon your return.

Only candidates who have submitted their Aadhar card and obtained unconditional offer of admission from one of the foreign Institutions/ Universities which are in the list of top 500 QS world ranked institutions/ universities from the academic session 2025-26 and onward shall be considered for award of scholarship for studying in that Institution/University subject to fulfillment of other eligibility conditions of the Scheme. However, in case the
students are unable to submit their Aadhar Card on the portal at the time of application, they will be asked to mandatorily submit their Aadhar ID/Aadhar EID before the issue of final award letter/confirmation letter failing which the provisional award letter issued to them would be revoked.

Following target groups are eligible to apply under the Scheme:

• Scheduled Castes
  
• Denotified Tribes
  
• Traditional Artisans
  
• Landless Agriculture Labourer

A complete application requires a thorough set of documents. These are crucial for verification and selection. Start gathering them well in advance.

• Aadhaar Card
• Caste Certificate
• Proof of Age (Birth Certificate/10th Certificate)
• Address Proof (Current & Permanent)
• All Academic Mark sheets and Degree Certificates (10th onwards)
• All Semester Mark sheets (Combined in one PDF)
• CGPA to Percentage Conversion Formula (if applicable)
• Unconditional Offer Letter from a Top-500 QS Ranked University
• Employer's No Objection Certificate (NOC) - if employed
• Family Income Certificate (Issued by Tehsildar or above)
• Income Tax Returns (ITR) of all family members (if applicable)
• Applicant's Photograph and Signature

FAQs about National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)

Who is eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship?

You must be an Indian citizen belonging to SC, Denotified Tribes, Traditional Artisans, or Landless Agriculture Labourers with a family income under Rs. 8 Lakh. You need a minimum of 60% in your qualifying degree and an unconditional offer from a top-500 QS ranked university.

What does the National Overseas Scholarship cover?

It is a fully-funded scholarship that covers tuition fees (up to a limit), a monthly maintenance allowance, airfare, visa fees, medical insurance, and other ancillary allowances.

Can I apply without an admission offer?

No. An unconditional offer letter from a top-500 QS ranked university is a mandatory document that must be uploaded with your application.

Is there an age limit for the NOS?

Yes, you must not be more than 35 years of age as on 1st April of the selection year.

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