National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (2025–26)

The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (2025–26) is a prestigious initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, designed to support students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT/SNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisan families.

Under this scheme, eligible students receive financial assistance to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. degree abroad at accredited universities in any field of study.

Selected candidates will receive an annual maintenance allowance of USD 15,400 (or equivalent, based on the country) along with several other benefits.
The last date to apply is March 31, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must meet the following conditions:

• Be below 35 years of age as of 1st April of the selection year
• Belong to the SC / DNT / SNT / Landless Agricultural Labourer / Traditional Artisan categories
• Intend to pursue a Master’s or Ph.D. degree abroad at a recognized university
• Have obtained at least 60% marks or equivalent in:
  • Bachelor’s degree (for Master's applicants)
  • Master’s degree (for Ph.D. applicants)
• Have an annual family income not exceeding ₹8,00,000
• For lateral-entry engineering students: Bachelor’s degree percentage will be considered

Benefits:

Financial assistance is provided for the full duration of the course:

• Up to 4 years for a Ph.D.
• Up to 3 years for a Master’s

Allowances:

Important Notes

• Contingency allowance covers books, apparatus, study tours, research-related travel, thesis work, etc.
• University charges related to academics are covered (service fees, registration, examination, library fees).
• Language course fees are not covered.
• Awardees may take research/teaching assistantships.
• Travel reimbursements follow specific rules (rail/bus/air depending on region).
• Maintenance allowance within India (for approved study visits) follows National Fellowship Scheme (SC) rates.

Required Documents:

At Application Stage

• Class 10 certificate
• Caste certificate
• Photograph
• Scanned signature
• Current/permanent address proof
• Degree certificate or provisional certificate
• Marksheet of qualifying degree
• Offer/Application/Registration proof from foreign university (any one)
• Income documents of all family members
• Employer’s NOC (if applicable)
• Gap certificate (if applicable)
• ITR acknowledgement
• Aadhaar card

Upon Provisional Award Letter

• Attestation form
• Self-declaration of annual family income
• Declaration regarding pending cases/non-conviction
• Copy of passport
• Original document verification at the Ministry (with appointment)

For Confirmation of Award Letter:

• Two bonds on ₹100 stamp paper with two sureties
• Solvency certificates of sureties
• Health certificate
• Two copies each of passport & visa
• Undertaking on ₹10 stamp paper (no duplicate qualification / no other scholarship)
• Intended date of travel

All documents must be submitted personally at the Ministry and emailed in PDF format.