National Overseas Scholarship

 Objective

The Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas Scholarship is to facilitate the low-income students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans category to obtain higher education viz., Master degree or Ph.D. courses by studying abroad thereby improving their Economic and Social status.

Scope

• The Scheme provides financial assistance to the selected candidates for pursuing Master's level courses and Ph.D. courses abroad in Institutions/Universities accredited by the Government/authorized body of that country in any field of study.
• In each Selection Year, 125 fresh awards, subject to the availability of funds, will be given under the Scheme.
• The following will be the category-wise distribution of slots for various groups eligible for scholarships under the scheme:

• If for any specific year, successful candidates are not available to the extent prescribed for each of the above-listed categories, the awards for that year will become open for candidates belonging to other categories mentioned above as per merit criteria under the scheme.
• 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.
• Bachelor's level courses in any discipline are not covered under the Scheme.
• 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 NOS.
• Candidates having unconditional offer of admission to top 500 ranked foreign Institutes/Universities as per the latest available QS rankings for the year 2023 only will be selected for grant of scholarship during the first round of selection. The QS ranking of the University for its campus in any other country will be considered as per the QS ranking of the University Campus in that country. If there is no QS ranking available for its campus in other country then it will not be considered. In the second round of selection in the year, the following priority will be given:
  • Candidates having unconditional offer letter of admission from Top 500 QS Ranking Institutions applying in the second cycle.
  • Candidates having unconditional offer letter of admission from other QS ranked Institutions, who have applied for scholarship under the scheme during the previous cycles or current cycle of the current year for admission.
  • Candidates having unconditional offer letter of admission from other recognized Institutions, who have applied for scholarship under the scheme during the previous cycles or current cycle of the current cycle for admission.

However, any financial condition mentioned in the offer of admission such as deposit of fee or any other amount, or proof of source of funds, shall not be a bar for consideration of application under the Scheme guidelines.

Minimum Qualification

In order to be eligible for scholarship, at least 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination would be required. In case of Ph. D courses, the qualifying exam would be Master’s Degree and for Master’s Degree courses, the qualifying examination would be Bachelor's Degree. In case a student has completed Bachelor's of Engineering after completing Diploma (Lateral Entry to 2nd year), percentage of marks obtained in Bachelor's degree will be taken into account.

For any University, percentage would be calculated on the basis of the marks obtained by the applicant in various semesters/ terms. Marksheet for all semesters is to be provided. Wherein the University provides only the CGPA and not the numerical marks, a formula for conversion of CGPA to numerical marks bearing authentication by the University should invariably be provided.

In case mark sheets for all semesters/terms are not submitted with the application form the candidature of the applicant will be rejected. Likewise, if the formula of conversion of CGPA (wherever applicable) are not submitted by the applicant with his application form, the candidature would be rejected. No representations, in this regard, in either case will be entertained.

Age

Not more than 35 (Thirty Five) years, as on first day of April for selection year.

Income Ceiling

Total family income from all sources shall not exceed Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum in the preceding financial year as detailed in para 8 c of these guidelines. The income certificate should be issued by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of "Tehsildar". The students will submit the ITR/ITRs of the family members as well.

Family

Under the Scheme, for the determination of family income, the family will be considered as following:

“The candidate applying for scholarship, his/her parents and siblings below the age of 18 years, his/her spouse and also children below the age of 18 years.”

Note: In case of married women, income of the in-laws and her spouse and children below the age of 18 years will be considered.

Maximum Number of Children in a Family for the Award

An awardee cannot be considered for the award for a second time as the award can be given only once. Not more than two children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for scholarship under the scheme and a self-certification will be required from the candidate to this effect. 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.

Application Procedure

The scheme will be advertised in the newspapers/other media giving summarized information about the Scheme. The candidates, after assessing their eligibility and suitability, as per the eligibility conditions of the Scheme Guidelines, can apply online to this Ministry on the portal, i.e., www.nosmsje.gov.in.

Financial Assistance

Under the scheme following assistance is provided:

• Tuition fees
• Maintenance allowance (US Dollars 15400 annually except UK. Great Britain Pound 9900 annually in UK)
• Contingency
• Visa fees
• Equipment allowance
• Tuition Fee only and medical insurance premium
• Air passage by economy class as per scheme guidelines

For details refer to the latest scheme guidelines available on the www.nosmsje.gov.in portal/website of the Department.

Source: www.nosmsje.gov.in