A scholarship scheme by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for regular, full-time students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans; to obtain higher education viz., Master degree or Ph.D courses by studying abroad in Institutions/Universities accredited by the Government/authorized body of that country in any field of study.
Benefits of the Scheme
The scholarship includes various financial support components, such as:
1. Annual Maintenance Allowance
- United States of America (USA) & other countries (except UK): 15,400 US Dollars
- United Kingdom (UK): 9,900 Great Britain Pounds
2. Contingency Allowance
- USA & other countries (except UK): 1,500 US Dollars
- UK: 1,100 Great Britain Pounds
3. Tuition Fees : Actual tuition fees as charged by the institution.
4. Visa Fees : Actual visa fees in INR.
5. Medical Insurance Premium : Actual amount as charged.
6. Incidental Journey Allowance & Equipment Allowance : 20 US Dollars (or equivalent in INR).
7. Air Passage
- Economy class airfare (shortest route) for travel from India to the university abroad and back.
- Air tickets must be booked through Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., Ashok Travels & Tours, or IRCTC.
8. Return Tickets : Return tickets will be booked by the Indian Mission abroad as per scheme guidelines.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this scheme, the applicant must meet the following conditions:
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The applicant must belong to one of the following categories:
- Scheduled Caste (SC)
- Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT)
- Landless Agricultural Labourers
- Traditional Artisans
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The applicant must have an unconditional offer letter from an accredited foreign university for a Master’s or Ph.D. program.
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The applicant must have secured at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination:
- For Master’s: Bachelor’s Degree marks are considered.
- For Ph.D.: Master’s Degree marks are considered.
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The total annual family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh.
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No more than two siblings from the same family can avail of this scholarship.
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30% of the total slots are reserved for women candidates.
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Scholarship Slots:
- Scheduled Castes (SC): 115 slots
- DNT: 6 slots
- Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans: 4 slots
Exclusions
- Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) courses are not covered.
- Students already studying abroad or those who have completed their studies abroad under any other state/central government scholarship are not eligible.
- Candidates applying for the same level of education that they have already completed in India or abroad (e.g., a second Master’s) are ineligible.
- If two siblings from the same family have already availed this scholarship, the third sibling will not be considered.
Application Process
Step 1: Online Registration
- Visit the official portal: National Overseas Scholarship Portal
- Click on “Student Register” under the login tab.
- Fill in the required details:
- Category
- Name
- Mobile Number & Email ID
- Date of Birth
- 10th Board Details
- After submitting, an OTP will be sent to your email for verification.
- Create a secure password and complete registration.
Step 2: Fill the Application Form
- Log in to the NOS portal using your credentials.
- Enter personal, academic, and employment details as required.
- Upload the necessary documents (list provided below).
- Select the University and enter course details.
- Review the application and submit it online.
Step 3: Selection Process
- Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted based on merit.
- A provisional award letter will be issued to selected candidates.
- Visa and admission formalities must be completed before final approval.
Documents Required
At the Application Stage
- 10th Board Certificate
- Caste Certificate
- Passport-size Photograph
- Scanned Signature
- Current Address & Permanent Address Proof
- Qualifying Degree Certificate (Master’s/Bachelor’s)
- Mark Sheet of Qualifying Examination
- Unconditional Admission Letter from Foreign University
- Family Income Certificate
- Employer’s No Objection Certificate (if employed)
- Gap Certificate (if a study gap of more than six months exists)
- ITR Acceptance Document
- Aadhaar Card
After Selection (Before Issuance of Provisional Award Letter)
- Attestation Form
- Self-Declaration of Total Annual Family Income
- Self-Declaration of Non-Conviction of Offense
- Copy of Passport
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: What is the duration of the financial assistance provided?
A: The scholarship is granted for the entire duration of the course, subject to satisfactory academic performance. - Q: What does the contingency allowance cover?
A: It covers books, research material, and thesis-related expenses. - Q: Can awardees supplement their stipend with other funding sources?
A: Yes, but only through research/teaching assistantships. - Q: How many scholarship slots are available annually?
A: There are 125 total slots distributed across different categories. - Q: Is there a reservation for women candidates?
A: Yes, 30% of the slots are reserved for female candidates. - Q: Are Bachelor’s courses covered under this scheme?
A: No, only Master’s and Ph.D. courses are eligible. - Q: Can I apply if I have already studied abroad on another scholarship?
A: No, candidates who have received another government scholarship for international studies are not eligible. - Q: What is the selection process for this scholarship?
A: Merit-based selection, considering academic qualifications, family income, and course selection. - Q: How will I know if I have been selected?
A: The final selection list will be published on the NOS portal. - Q: When does the application portal open?
A: The portal opens in multiple rounds throughout the year. Monitor the official website for announcements.