State overseas schemes
Several states run their own overseas scholarships, such as Telangana's Overseas Vidya Nidhi schemes.
Government scholarship
National Overseas Scholarship: Eligibility and How to Apply
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for master's and PhD study abroad. It's one of the few government awards that can cover tuition and living costs at top universities.
- Master's and PhD
- Family income up to ₹8 lakh
- QS top-500 universities
- Apply on nosmsje.gov.in
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Quick answer
National Overseas Scholarship: Eligibility and How to Apply
NOS funds master's and PhD study abroad for students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisan families. Recent guidelines set about 125 awards a year, a family income limit of ₹8 lakh a year, at least 60% in the qualifying exam, an age limit (35 for most applicants) and an unconditional offer from a university in the QS top 500. It covers tuition and a maintenance allowance, plus visa, airfare and insurance. Scheduled Tribe students apply under a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs scheme.
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Official sources: NOS portal — Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
NOS at a glance (check the current guidelines)
- Run by
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
- Awards
- About 125 fresh awards a year
- Family income
- Up to ₹8 lakh a year (all sources)
- University
- Top 500 in the QS World University Rankings, unconditional offer
- Marks
- At least 60% in the qualifying degree
- Covers
- Tuition, maintenance allowance, visa fee, economy airfare, insurance
How to apply
NOS application steps
- 01
Secure an unconditional offer
Apply to universities in the QS top 500 early so your offer arrives before the NOS window closes.
- 02
Collect documents
Caste certificate, income certificate, marksheets, offer letter, passport, Aadhaar and bank details.
- 03
Apply on the NOS portal
Register on nosmsje.gov.in during the application window and upload documents.
- 04
Selection and release
Selected candidates receive a provisional award; funds are released for the course duration subject to progress.
Plan B
If NOS doesn't come through
University scholarships
Merit awards from the university can reduce fees whatever your category.
Education loan
Many students combine a partial scholarship with a loan. Apply for both in parallel so timelines don't clash.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question?
Ask a counsellor directly — we reply on WhatsApp during working hours (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST).
Students from SC, denotified tribes, landless agricultural labourer and traditional artisan families who meet the income, marks, age and university-ranking conditions in that year's guidelines.
You need an unconditional offer from an eligible university to apply, so admissions come first.
Yes. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs runs a separate National Overseas Scholarship for ST students with its own income limit and number of awards.
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