National Overseas Scholarship 2026-27
Explore financial assistance for eligible Indian students planning to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD abroad, including maintenance allowance, tuition fees, eligibility, documents and the official application process.
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a Government of India scheme that helps eligible students from disadvantaged communities pursue higher education at accredited foreign universities. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment publishes the NOS guidelines for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates and other eligible categories, including Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans.
The 2026-27 guidelines were published on the Ministry’s official website on 23 April 2026. Applicants should read the current guidelines carefully because eligibility, selection rounds and documentation requirements apply according to the relevant selection year.
National Overseas Scholarship: Quick Overview
Important: SC and ST Scholarships Are Administered Separately
The National Overseas Scholarship administered by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has its own eligibility rules and portal. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs separately operates a National Overseas Scholarship for eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
Do not assume that the eligibility, income limit, award count or application dates of one scheme apply to the other. Applicants should select the scheme intended for their category and check its current official guidelines.
What Is the National Overseas Scholarship?
The National Overseas Scholarship is intended to help eligible students access postgraduate education abroad. It provides financial assistance to selected candidates admitted to qualifying foreign institutions for Master’s-level or PhD programmes.
The scheme is intended to reduce the financial barriers associated with studying overseas. Support can include tuition fees, living expenses, travel and specified educational or administrative costs, subject to the official rules and approved limits.
How Many Scholarships Are Available?
Total annual awards
125
Fresh awards under the Social Justice Ministry scheme, subject to availability of funds.
Scheduled Castes
115
Slots allocated to eligible SC candidates under the published distribution.
Other eligible groups
10
Six slots for eligible DNT groups and four for landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans.
The published distribution includes 125 fresh awards in total. Thirty per cent of scholarships for each selection year are earmarked for female candidates, subject to the scheme guidelines. Selection remains competitive and depends on eligibility, admission and the prescribed evaluation process.
Financial Assistance Under NOS
The scheme provides several forms of financial support. The official guidelines list the following annual allowances and eligible expenses for the Social Justice Ministry scheme. Applicants should confirm the applicable terms in the 2026-27 guidelines before making financial plans.
| Type of Assistance | USA and Other Countries Except UK | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance Allowance | USD 15,400 | GBP 9,900 |
| Annual Contingency Allowance | USD 1,500 | GBP 1,100 |
| Tuition Fees | Actual eligible charges | As applicable under the official guidelines |
| Visa Fees | Actual eligible visa fees in Indian rupees | As applicable under the official guidelines |
| Medical Insurance | Actual eligible premium | As applicable under the official guidelines |
| Incidental Journey and Equipment Allowance | USD 20 for each allowance, or equivalent in Indian rupees | Subject to the applicable scheme terms |
| Air Passage | Eligible return economy-class air travel through the prescribed arrangements | Subject to the applicable scheme terms |
Does This Mean the Allowance Has Increased in 2026-27?
The publication of new guidelines for 2026-27 does not by itself mean that every allowance has increased. The published assistance schedule lists the amounts shown above. Applicants should compare the current official guidelines with the previous selection years rules before treating any change as an increase.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility depends on the category of the applicant and the current NOS guidelines. The following are key conditions listed for the Social Justice Ministry scheme.
- Eligible category: The applicant must belong to one of the communities or groups covered by the scheme, such as Scheduled Castes, eligible Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers or traditional artisans.
- Academic performance: The qualifying examination generally requires at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade under the applicable guidelines.
- Family income: The published eligibility criteria specify a maximum total family income of ₹8 lakh per year from all sources in the preceding financial year.
- Age limit: The applicant must not be older than 35 years as of 1 April of the relevant selection year.
- Admission: The applicant must satisfy the prescribed admission requirements, including the requirement relating to an unconditional offer from a qualifying foreign institution among the latest available QS World University Rankings top 500, as specified in the guidelines.
- Course level: The scheme supports eligible Master’s-level and PhD courses abroad. Bachelor’s-level programmes are not covered under this scheme.
- Selection limits: State-wise and category-wise slot limits may apply. Meeting the minimum conditions does not guarantee an award.
Documents to Prepare
Identity and Category
- Valid identity document
- Applicable caste or community certificate
- Residence or other supporting certificate, where required
- Recent photograph and signature, if requested
Academic Records
- Qualifying examination marksheets and certificates
- Admission offer from the foreign university
- Course and university details
- Evidence required to establish that the institution meets the scheme rules
Income and Financial Details
- Income certificate in the prescribed format
- Family income supporting documents
- Bank details, where required
- Other financial declarations listed in the guidelines
Travel and Additional Documents
- Passport or travel documents, as applicable
- Visa-related details when available
- Any undertaking or declaration required by the Ministry
- Additional certificates required for the applicant’s category
The exact document checklist can change according to the selection year and applicant category. Use the current official portal and guideline documents rather than relying only on a general list.
How to Apply for National Overseas Scholarship 2026-27
Visit the Official NOS Portal
Open the National Overseas Scholarship portal administered by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Read the 2026-27 Guidelines
Review the eligibility rules, income limit, age requirement, selection process, covered expenses and application instructions.
Check the Application Window
Confirm whether the application window for the relevant selection round is open. Do not assume that publication of the guidelines means applications are currently being accepted.
Register and Complete the Form
Create an account or log in as instructed, enter the requested information and provide the required academic and category details.
Upload Supporting Documents
Upload the required certificates, academic records and admission information in the specified format.
Submit and Track the Application
Review the form, submit it within the announced window and monitor the portal for selection notices or requests for further information.
Official Application and Guideline Links
How Is the Scholarship Paid?
Under the Social Justice Ministry scheme, funds are allocated to Indian Missions abroad. The Missions arrange payment of eligible tuition fees, maintenance allowance and other approved expenses to the university or student according to the applicable arrangements and sanction orders.
Maintenance allowance payments are linked to the required academic progress reports. Selected students must follow the reporting and other conditions of their award throughout the approved period of study.
Important Points Before Applying
- Check whether you need to apply under the Social Justice Ministry scheme or the separate ST scheme administered by the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
- Read the current selection-year guidelines before relying on eligibility or financial assistance details.
- Confirm that the foreign university and course meet the prescribed conditions.
- Check the latest application notice for the opening date, closing date and selection round.
- Ensure that the income certificate and category documents meet the prescribed format.
- Keep copies of the submitted application and acknowledgement.
- Use official government portals and avoid paying unauthorised agents for scholarship registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the National Overseas Scholarship?
It is a Government of India scheme that supports eligible students from specified communities in pursuing Master’s or PhD courses at qualifying foreign institutions.
2. Is the scheme available for Master’s and PhD courses?
Yes. The Social Justice Ministry scheme covers eligible Master’s-level and PhD programmes abroad, subject to the current guidelines.
3. What is the family income limit?
The published 2026-27 criteria specify a maximum family income of ₹8 lakh per year from all sources in the preceding financial year. Confirm the current guidelines before applying.
4. How much maintenance allowance is available?
The published assistance schedule lists USD 15,400 per year for the USA and other countries except the UK, and GBP 9,900 per year for the UK. Other eligible expenses are governed by the scheme guidelines.
5. Does the scheme cover tuition fees?
Eligible tuition fees and specified expenses are covered according to the scheme’s rules, approved limits and payment arrangements.
6. Can ST students apply through the same portal?
The Tribal Affairs Ministry administers a separate National Overseas Scholarship for eligible ST students. They should check the separate portal and its guidelines rather than assuming the Social Justice Ministry scheme applies to them.
7. Does publication of the guidelines mean applications are open?
Not necessarily. Applicants must check the official portal for the application window and selection-round notice.
