Context:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has withheld provisional award letters for 66 out of 106 selected candidates under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) scheme for FY26, citing shortage of funds.
About the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme
- Scheme Type:
- Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Objective:
- To support students from marginalised and economically weaker sections in pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. programs abroad, enhancing their social and economic mobility.
Target Beneficiaries
- Scheduled Castes (SCs)
- Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes
- Landless Agricultural Labourers
- Traditional Artisans
Eligibility Criteria
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | Master’s: Bachelor’s with ≥ 60%Ph.D.: Master’s with ≥ 60% |
| Age Limit | Not more than 35 years as of April 1 of the selection year |
| Income Limit | Annual family income ≤ ₹8 lakh |
| University | Unconditional admission to Top 500 QS-ranked universities |
| Other Conditions | – Not already studying or settled abroad – Max two children per family eligible |
Key Features
- Total Annual Slots: 125
- 115 for SCs
- 6 for Denotified Tribes
- 4 for Agricultural Labourers/Artisans
- 30% reservation for women candidates.
- Two-Phase Selection Process:
- Phase 1: Candidates with admission in QS Top 500 institutions.
- Phase 2: Broader eligibility including QS-ranked or recognised global institutions.
- State-wise Cap: No more than 10% of slots per state to promote geographic diversity.
- Conditional Funding Clause: If funding is insufficient, fewer award letters are issued despite selection.
