Round 1 April/May · Round 2 September/October (if seats remain)
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for SC and other eligible students
The National Overseas Scholarship from India's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment funds master's and PhD study abroad for low-income Scheduled Caste and other eligible students. There are 125 awards a year; family income must be ₹8 lakh a year or less, you must be 35 or under, have 60% marks and an unconditional offer from a QS top-500 university.
Key facts
| Awards per year | 125: 115 for Scheduled Castes, 6 for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, 4 for Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans; 30% earmarked for women |
|---|---|
| Income limit | Gross annual family income from all sources up to ₹8 lakh |
| Age and marks | 35 or under on 1 April of the selection year; at least 60% in the qualifying exam |
| University | Unconditional offer from a top-500 institution in the latest QS World University Rankings |
| Courses | Master's (up to 3 years) and PhD (up to 4 years); not bachelor's |
Who is eligible
- From a Scheduled Caste, Denotified/Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribe, or a Landless Agricultural Labourer or Traditional Artisan family
- Gross annual family income of ₹8 lakh or less in the last completed financial year
- Aged 35 or under on 1 April of the selection year
- At least 60% in the qualifying exam (bachelor's for a master's; master's for a PhD)
- Unconditional offer from a QS top-500 university
What it covers
- Tuition fees: actual
- Maintenance: USD 15,400 a year (USA and other countries) or GBP 9,900 a year (UK)
- Contingency: USD 1,500 a year or GBP 1,100 a year
- Visa fees and medical insurance: actual
- Economy airfare by the shortest route
- Incidental journey allowance: USD 20
How to apply
- Get an unconditional offer from a QS top-500 university
- Apply on the official portal, nosmsje.gov.in, when it opens (round 1: April/May, open for 40 days)
- Use the 4-day correction window to fix errors
- If seats remain, a second round opens in September/October (timelines are tentative)
Our take
NOS is one of the most generous government scholarships for Indian students, because it pays actual tuition plus a maintenance allowance. The QS top-500 rule and the need for an unconditional offer mean you must plan university applications before the portal opens. Income above ₹2.5 lakh (old tax regime) or ₹3 lakh (new regime) needs income-tax returns before the final award.
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