National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2025-26 - Complete Guide | Eligibility, Application & Financial Support

What is National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)?

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India to provide financial assistance to students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/SNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans for pursuing higher education abroad.

This scholarship enables low-income students to pursue Master's degree or PhD courses at top 500 QS World Ranked Universities in any field of study, thereby improving their economic and social status.

Objective

Facilitate higher education abroad
Improve economic & social status
Provide equal opportunities
Build skilled workforce

Important Notes

Bachelor's courses NOT covered
Only one-time award per candidate
Must return to India within 30 days after course
Top 500 QS ranked universities only

NOS Eligibility Criteria 2026-27

Complete Eligibility Requirements:

1. Category Eligibility

Must belong to one of the following categories:

Scheduled Castes (SC) - 115 slots
Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes - 6 slots
Landless Agricultural Labourers - 4 slots
Traditional Artisans - 4 slots

2. Academic Qualification

For Course	Qualifying Exam	Minimum Marks
Master's Degree	Bachelor's Degree	≥ 60%
PhD	Master's Degree	≥ 60%

CGPA must be converted to percentage with university-authenticated formula

3. Age Limit

35

Maximum Age

As on 1st April of selection year (2026-27)

4. Income Ceiling

₹8L

Annual Family Income

Gross income from all sources

Family includes: Candidate, parents, siblings under 18, spouse, and children under 18 years.
For married women: Income of in-laws, spouse, and children under 18 considered.

5. University Requirement

Must have UNCONDITIONAL OFFER LETTER from:

Top 500 QS World Ranked Universities (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Check rankings: topuniversities.com

6. Other Requirements

Aadhaar Card - Mandatory for application
Caste Certificate - From competent authority
Income Certificate - By Tehsildar or above rank officer
NOC from Employer - If currently employed

Who is NOT Eligible?

Students already studying abroad with any scholarship
Students who have completed studies abroad
Students applying for Bachelor's level courses
Students pursuing same level of degree again (2nd Master's/PhD)
More than 2 children from same parents/guardians
Courses on Indian Culture/Heritage/History

Scholarship Slots Distribution

S.No.	Category	Number of Slots	Percentage
1	Scheduled Castes (SC)	115	92%
2	Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes	6	4.8%
3	Landless Agricultural Labourers	4	3.2%
4	Traditional Artisans	Included in 4	-
TOTAL		125 Scholarships

Women Reservation

30% of total awards earmarked for women candidates

If adequate women candidates not available, unutilized slots will be given to male candidates.

State-wise Quota

Maximum 10% of total slots per State/UT

State/UT determined by caste certificate issuing authority. Unfilled slots move to 2nd round.

Financial Assistance Under NOS

Complete Financial Support Coverage:

Type of Assistance	USA & Other Countries	United Kingdom (UK)
Annual Maintenance Allowance	$15,400 USD	£9,900 GBP
Annual Contingency Allowance (Books, laptop, study materials)	$1,500 USD	£1,100 GBP
Tuition Fees	Actual as charged by University
Visa Fees	Actual in Indian Rupees
Medical Insurance Premium	Actual as charged
Air Passage	Economy class (shortest route)
Incidental Journey Allowance	$20 USD or equivalent in INR

📚

Contingency Allowance For:

• Books & Study Materials
• Laptop/Computer
• Study Tours
• Conferences/Workshops
• Thesis Typing & Binding
• University Service Fees

✈️

Air Travel Coverage:

• Economy class ticket
• Shortest route
• From nearest airport to university
• Return ticket on completion
• Booked via authorized agents

⏰

Duration of Award:

• PhD: Up to 4 years
• Master's: Up to 3 years
• Based on course duration
• Extension without finance possible
• With university recommendation

Additional Earnings Allowed

Awardees are permitted to supplement their allowances by undertaking Research/Teaching Assistantship. However, any scholarship received from the university must be reported and will be deducted from NOS allowances.

How to Apply for NOS 2026-27

Official Application Portal

nosmsje.gov.in

All applications must be submitted online through this official portal only.

Step-by-Step Application Process:

1 Check Eligibility

Carefully review all eligibility criteria including category, age, marks, income, and university requirements.

2 Secure Admission Offer

Obtain unconditional offer letter from Top 500 QS World Ranked University for Master's/PhD program.

3 Register on Portal

Visit nosmsje.gov.in and create your account with valid email ID and mobile number.

4 Fill Application Form

Complete the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and family details.

5 Upload Documents

Scan and upload all required documents in specified format (PDF/JPEG). Ensure all documents are clear and legible.

6 Review & Submit

Carefully review all entered information and uploaded documents. Submit application and take printout for records.

7 Track Application

Login to portal regularly to check application status. Results will be published on the portal with email/SMS notification.

Important Application Notes

Only online applications will be accepted - no offline/postal applications
Incomplete applications will be summarily rejected
Portal remains open for 40 days for submission + 4 days for corrections
Grievances entertained for 30 days after result publication
No additional documents accepted during grievance period

Need Help with NOS Application?

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Documents Required for NOS Application

Stage 1: At Application Submission

Personal Documents:

10th Board Certificate
Caste Certificate (from competent authority)
Aadhaar Card (mandatory)
Recent Photograph (passport size)
Scanned Signature
Address Proof (Current & Permanent)

Academic Documents:

Qualifying Degree Certificate (Bachelor's/Master's)
All Semester Mark Sheets
CGPA to Percentage Conversion (if applicable)
Provisional Certificate (if final not available)
Gap Certificate (if gap > 6 months)

Admission Documents:

Unconditional Offer Letter from QS Top 500 University
University Application (if offer not received)
Registration Documents

Income Documents:

Income Certificate (by Tehsildar+)
ITR Acknowledgement (if income > ₹2.5L/₹3L)
Income Documents of all family members
NOC from Employer (if employed)

Stage 2: After Provisional Selection

Attestation Form
Self Declaration regarding total annual family income
Declaration regarding no pending case/conviction
Copy of Passport

Stage 3: After Confirmation of Award

Two Surety Bonds (Rs. 100 non-judicial stamp paper)
Solvency Certificates for both sureties
Health Certificate
Passport & Visa Copies (2 copies each)
Undertaking (Rs. 10 non-judicial stamp paper)

Document Submission Important Notes

All documents must be clear, legible, and complete
File size and format restrictions must be followed
Original document verification required in person
Incomplete documentation leads to rejection
All semester mark sheets mandatory - no exceptions

NOS Selection Process 2026-27

Two Rounds of Selection Per Year

🎯 Round 1: February/March

• Portal open for 40 days
• 4 days for corrections
• Priority: Top 500 QS Universities

🎯 Round 2: September/October

• Portal open for 40 days
• 4 days for corrections
• Unfilled slots from Round 1

Merit List Preparation:

1 Primary Criteria: QS World Ranking

Candidates are ranked based on the QS World University Ranking of the university from which they have received offer letter. Higher ranked university = Higher position in merit list.

2 Tie-Breaker: Academic Marks

If two or more candidates have offers from universities with same QS ranking, their position in merit will be decided based on marks/grades in qualifying examination (Bachelor's for Master's, Master's for PhD).

3 Selection Committee Review

Scrutinized applications are placed before Selection-cum-Screening Committee for recommendations. Committee evaluates eligibility, document authenticity, and merit ranking.

4 Ministerial Approval

Final selection list is submitted for approval of Hon'ble Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment. Approved list is published on the portal.

5 Wait List

Wait list of eligible candidates maintained in final round (maximum 50% of total seats). Valid until 31st March of selection year. Waitlisted candidates may apply for next year.

                                ✅ Selection Priority Order:
                                1st Priority: Top 500 QS Universities (Round 1)
2nd Priority: Top 500 QS Universities (Round 2)
3rd Priority: Other QS Ranked Universities
4th Priority: Other Recognized Universities

                            

📊 Timeline (Approximate):

Application: 40 days
Corrections: 4 days
Scrutiny: 20-30 days
Committee Review: 10-15 days
Result Declaration: As per schedule

NOS 2026-27 Important Dates

Event	Round 1	Round 2
Application Portal Opens	February/March 2026(Delayed Opening in April)	September/October 2026
Application Submission Period	45 Days	45 Days
Correction Window	4 Days May be	4 DaysMay be
Scrutiny Period	20-30 Days	20-30 Days
Selection Committee Review	10-15 Days	10-15 Days
Result Declaration	To be announced	To be announced
Grievance Period	30 Days from Result

Note: The above timeline is tentative and subject to change. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official portal nosmsje.gov.in for exact dates and updates.

Eligible Universities for NOS 2025-26

Only Top 500 QS World Ranked Universities

Candidates must have an unconditional offer of admission from universities/institutions that appear in the Top 500 QS World University Rankings 2025.

Official QS Ranking: topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2025