National Overseas Scholarship For Scheduled Caste Etc. Candidates
The National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste candidates (NOS-SC) supports students from SC, Denotified Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourer, and Traditional Artisan backgrounds to pursue a Masters or PhD degree at accredited universities abroad. Up to 125 scholarships are awarded annually covering tuition fees, living allowance, visa costs, and airfare. Students apply online through the portal at nosmsje.gov.in.
About This Scheme
The National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste candidates (NOS-SC) supports students from SC, Denotified Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourer, and Traditional Artisan backgrounds to pursue a Masters or PhD degree at accredited universities abroad. Up to 125 scholarships are awarded annually covering tuition fees, living allowance, visa costs, and airfare. Students apply online through the portal at nosmsje.gov.in.
Full official description
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
- Annual maintenance allowance: USD 15,400 (US/other countries) or GBP 9,900 (UK)
- Annual contingency allowance: USD 1,500 or GBP 1,100
- Tuition fees reimbursed at actuals
- Visa fees reimbursed at actuals (in INR)
- Medical insurance premium reimbursed at actuals
- Economy class airfare from nearest Indian airport to university and back
- Incidental journey allowance of USD 20 per trip
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must belong to Scheduled Caste, Denotified Nomadic Tribe, Semi-Nomadic Tribe, Landless Agricultural Labourer, or Traditional Artisan category
- Must have an unconditional admission offer from an accredited foreign university for a Masters or PhD programme
- Minimum 60% marks in qualifying exam (Bachelors for Masters applicants; Masters for PhD applicants)
- Family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh per annum
- Not more than one sibling should already be availing this scholarship
- Bachelor-level courses abroad are not covered
- 30% of slots reserved for women; unused slots can be filled by male candidates
Exclusions
- Bachelors Level courses, in any discipline, are not covered under this scheme.
- candidates already staying or studying or having completed studies abroad by utilizing any other scholarship from State Government, other agency, or through their own funds are not eligible to apply under this scheme.
- No more than two children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for scholarships. The second child of the same parents/guardians will be considered only if slots are still available in the last cycle of the year in which the applicant has applied.
- The candidate is not eligible for a scholarship to pursue the same level (Masters/Ph.D.) of course for which he/she has already acquired the qualification from any University/Institution either in India or abroad.
How to Apply
Step 1:
The candidates can apply online on the portal: www.nosmsje.gov.in
Step 2:
The new applicants need to register under the “Student Register Form” under the login tab: https://nosmsje.gov.in/Register.aspx. The following details are required to be filled in the Student Register Form: Category, First Name, Middle Name, Last Name, Full Name, Mobile Number, Email ID, Date of Birth, State of 10th Board,10th Board Certificate Number, Year of passing.
Step 3: After successful login details, a text message will be sent to the registered email address. The email address and password entered by the applicant will be the User ID and password respectively for filling out the application form. The password should be at least 8 digits with a combination of numeric, alphabet, and one special character. At least one character should be in capital letters.
The following details are required to be filled in the Application Form: **
- Personal Information:** Full Name, Fathers/Guardian Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, Email ID, Domicile State, Domicile District, Marital Status, Aadhaar Number. 2. Current Address: House Number / Plot Number, Street Name / Road Name / Location Name, State, District, Pin Code. 3. Next of kin residing in India (to be notified in case of Emergency): A valid and functional Phone Number / Mobile Number and Email ID of the family member/friend/relative. 4. Details of the Foreign University/Institute (where the applicant has taken admission or has applied for admission): Degree Course Applied for (Masters or Ph.D., Field of Study, Course Name (in case applied for Masters Programme, for Masters Programme, full nomenclature of the course name), Title / Topic of the Research (in case applied for a Ph.D. Programme), Description of the Course (max. 1000 characters), Application / Registration / Admission date, Anticipated Joining Date (if any), Anticipated Course End Date (if any), Name of the University / Institute, Country of the University / Institute, Do you have unconditional offer letter? (Yes / No), QS World Ranking of the University / Institute. (In case, the candidate has unconditional offer letters for more than one University/Institute he/she should choose only one most preferred University/Institute and provide its details.) 5. Qualifying Degree / Examination Details: Course Name, Name of the College/University/Institution, State, District, Address of the College/University/Institution, Subject/Course taken, Year of Passing, Scoring System (Whether CGPA / OGPA or % marks. In case of CGPA / OGPA, the grade marks as mentioned in the certificate), Percentage / Equivalent Percentage of Marks, Details of published Research Papers (if any). 6. Employment / Gap Details Provide the current and/or past employment details, if any, from the qualifying examination. In case of no employment by the candidate, an affidavit of the same may be attached to the concerned column. (a) Current employment details (if the applicant is currently employed) Nature of Employment (Self Employed / Salaried / Contract Work / Casual Work etc), Name of Office / Organization, State, District, Address of Office / Organization, Date of Joining, Designation, Last Emoluments (In case of salaried persons, salary received including all allowances from the present employment during last month may be provided. In case of employment other than salaried, the total monthly income of the last month may be entered). (b) & (c) Have you ever been employed earlier/any other experience There may be situations that which the applicant has worked on earlier occasions. 7. Award of Scholarship under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme on a previous occasion The details of the scholarship awarded to the candidate or any of his/her siblings under NOS on earlier occasions. The relationship with the applicant/year of award/course for which scholarship was awarded. 8. Visa Application details Provide details of the Visa obtained or applied for. In case the candidate has applied to any University in the USA, he/she is required to obtain J-1 VISA only. 9. Prospects in India Provide the future prospects in India after completion of his/her proposed study abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a duration to the prescribed financial assistance?
Yes, the prescribed financial assistance will be provided up to the completion of the course / research or the following period, whichever is earlier: PhD - 04 years (Four years) Master's Degree - 03 years (Three years)
What all shall be covered under Contingency Allowance?
The Contingency allowance shall be for books/essential apparatus/ study tour/ travel cost for attending subject related conference, workshops etc./ typing and binding of thesis etc. and the fees charged by the University/ Institutions which are directly related to the studies of the Scholarship Awardees such as Student Service Fees, Student Amenity Fees, Student Service and Amenity Fees, Registration Fees, Examination Fees, Enrolment Fees, Library Fees etc.
Are there any terms to availing the Maintenance Allowance?
The payment of Maintenance Allowance is linked with furnishing of progress report. For first semester/six months, the maintenance allowance may be paid to the scholarship awardee in the first instance as an advance. Thereafter, the maintenance allowance for the next semester/six months may be paid only after receipt of the satisfactory progress report of the awardee for first six months/semester.
Are the awardees are permitted to supplement their prescribed allowances by undertaking Research / Teaching Assistantship?
Yes, the awardees are permitted to do so.
How many scholarship slots are there in this scheme?
In each selection year, 125 fresh awards, subject to availability of funds, will be given under this scheme.
Is there a category-wise distribution of slots for various groups eligible for the scholarship?
Yes, there are 115 slots for Scheduled Castes, 6 slots for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, 4 slots for Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans.
Is there any earmarking for women candidates?
Yes, there is 30% of the awards for each year shall be earmarked for women candidates. However, in case, adequate women candidates are not available as per the stipulations of the scheme, then the unutilized slots will be utilized by selecting suitable male candidates.
Are Bachelors Level courses also covered under this scheme?
No, Bachelors Level courses, in any discipline, are not covered under this scheme.
I have completed my studies abroad on a scholarship from state govt. Am I eligible to apply for this scheme?
No, candidates already staying or studying or having completed studies abroad by utilizing any other scholarship from State Government, other agency, or through own funds are not eligible to apply under this scheme.
Which candidates will be selected for grant of scholarship during the first round of selection?
In the first round of selection, candidates having unconditional offer of admission to top 500 ranked foreign Institutes / Universities as per the latest available QS rankings only will be selected.
How many children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for scholarship?
Not more than two children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for scholarship. A. The second child of the same parents/guardians will be considered only if slots are still available in the last cycle of the year in which the applicant has applied.
I hold a Master’s Degree from an Institute in India. Am I eligible to apply for this scheme if I have an unconditional offer letter for a Master Degree from an institute located outside India?
The candidate is not eligible for scholarship to pursue the same level (Masters/Ph.D.) of course for which he/she has already acquired the qualification from any University/Institution either in India or abroad.
Is there any chance that the application portal would reopen for submission of applications, even after all the slots are filled?
No, once all slots are filled, the portal will not be reopened during the year for submission of applications.
Is there a timeframe to addressing the grievances related to the results?
Yes. The grievances in connection with results will be entertained for upto 30 calendar days from the publication of the Result in the portal.
What if the slots remain unfilled? Will the portal be reopened?
In case the slots remain unfilled, the portal will be opened again for the second cycle for a period of 45 days in each selection year, i.e. from 1st September to 15th October.
By when will the portal open for the First Round?
The selection year period would be April-March of each year. The portal shall be opened for calling of applications for the first round from mid of February for a period of 45 days (before the beginning of selection year), i.e. till 31st March.
How would I know the status of my application?
A list of selected / not-selected candidates will be uploaded on the portal. Individual email / messages will also be sent to all registered applicants.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- During the Application Stage:
- 1. 10th Board Certificate
- 2. Caste Certificate (Refer Source for Format)
- 3. Photo
- 4. Scanned Signature
- 5. Current Address proof/Permanent Address Proof (if from current address)
- 6. Qualifying Degree/Provisional Certificate
- 7. Mark sheet of qualifying examination
- 8. Valid Document regarding admission in Foreign University
- (Application, Registration or Admission related document) (*)
- 9. Family Income Certificate (issued by the Revenue Authorities of the State Govt.) (Refer Source for Format)
- 10. Employer's NOC Certificate (if the applicant is employed)
- 11. Gap certificate (if there is gap of more than 6 months after completing qualifying Degree)
- 12. ITR acceptance document.
- 13. Aadhaar Number
- In case of selection of the applicant, in order to receive the “Provisional Award Letter” under the scheme, the following documents need to be submitted:
- 1. Attestation form
- 2. Self-Declaration / Undertaking regarding Total Annual Family Income (from all sources).
- 3. Self-Declaration regarding any Pending Case / Non-Conviction of Offense.
- 4. Copy of Passport
- Source:
- Format for Income Certificate:
- https://nosmsje.gov.in/docs/income_Certificate.pdf
- Format for Certificate of being Landless Agricultural Labourer
- https://nosmsje.gov.in/docs/Certificate_for%20being_Landless_Agricultural_Labourer.pdf
- Format for Certificate of being Traditional Artisan
- https://nosmsje.gov.in/docs/Certificate_for%20being_Traditional_Artisan.pdf