What is the NOS Scheme?
The National Overseas Scholarship 2026 is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, to support students from under-privileged and marginalised communities to pursue higher studies abroad (Master’s / PhD) at world-class institutions.
Specifically, the beneficiaries include:
- Students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC)
- Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)
- Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans.
- The aim: enable global education exposure, build advanced skills, and thereby uplift social & economic status.
Who is eligible?
Here are the key eligibility criteria :
- The course abroad must be full-time Master’s or PhD (Bachelor’s level not covered).
- Applicant must have secured admission (or unconditional offer) from a foreign university/institution which is recognised/approved.
- Minimum academic standard: typically 60% or equivalent in qualifying examination (for Master’s: 60% in Bachelor’s; for PhD: 60% in Master’s).
- Age: Usually under 35 years as on 1 April of the selection year.
- Family annual income: Not exceeding ₹ 8 lakh (for previous year) from all sources.
- Applicant must belong to one of the eligible categories (SC / DNT / landless labourers / artisans) as per scheme.
- Only one scholarship at that level is available (you cannot receive the same level of study abroad scholarship again), and there are conditions for children of the same parents, etc.
What does the scholarship cover & benefits?
Highlights of what the NOS scholarship offers:
- Tuition fees abroad (for the approved university) are covered under the scheme.
- Maintenance / living allowance: monthly stipend for expenses abroad
- Travel (air passage) to and from the country of study.
- Contingency allowance: for books, equipment, thesis, research costs (especially PhD) etc.
- The period of the scholarship: Generally for the full duration of the approved course (so if a Master’s is 2-3 years, scholarship for that duration; PhD, maybe 3-4 years), subject to fulfilling conditions.
Important Dates – Selection Year 2026
Since you are focusing on 2026, here are the expected / typical key dates (please verify on the official portal at the time of application). The official portal: https://nosmsje.gov.in/
Important: These dates are indicative. For Selection Year 2026 you should watch the NOS portal for official announcements. The process can have two rounds, and dates may vary slightly year-on-year.
How to Apply – Step-by-Step
- Visit the official NOS portal and register yourself (with Aadhaar, email, mobile) when portal opens.
- Fill in personal details: category, income, educational background, upload required documents (marksheets, degree certificate, caste certificate, income certificate, offer letter from foreign university etc).
- Provide the details of your foreign university / admission — unconditional offer from top university is often required (e.g., within QS top 500).
- Submit the online application before the deadline. Save/download acknowledgement/receipt.
- After short-listing, document verification will be done. On selection you’ll receive a Provisional Award Letter, then you need to fulfil further formalities (bonds, solvency certificates, health certificate, etc) to get Confirmation of Award.
- Finally, join an abroad institution as per the schedule, and comply with the conditions (progress report, full-time enrolment, etc).
Key Conditions & Important Points
- Only full-time regular courses are eligible; part-time, distance, or certificate courses may not qualify.
- The foreign university/institute must be recognised and often within QS ranking criteria (e.g., top 500 globally) for eligibility.
- You must not already possess the same level qualification (for example, applying for Master’s when you already have a Master’s).
- Selected awardees must execute bonds (with sureties) and submit solvency certificates etc. Non‐compliance may lead to cancellation and recovery of funds.
- After selection, staying abroad beyond the course duration or violating terms may trigger recovery of the scholarship amount + interest.
Tips for Applicants :
- Start early: Secure your admission offer from a foreign university before applying for NOS.
- Keep all documents ready: income certificates, caste certificate, mark-sheets, offer letters, passport copy etc.
- Check university ranking: Admission from a higher-ranked university improves your ranking in selection.
- Be mindful of deadlines: Late submission = automatic rejection.
- Follow all rules: Once selected, ensure you adhere to all terms (bonds, full-time enrolment, etc).
- Use official portal only: Avoid falling for scams offering “guaranteed scholarships”.
- Use your story: In your SOP or statement of purpose, highlight how this education abroad will help you contribute to your community/country.
- Have a back-up plan: Even if you don’t get NOS this year, you can reapply (subject to eligibility) for the next cycle.
Final Word
If you’re a student from the eligible communities (SC, DNT, landless labourer, artisan) and dreaming of pursuing a Master’s or PhD abroad, the NOS Scheme could be your gateway. Mark the dates, check your eligibility, prepare diligently, and apply when the portal opens.
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