Studying abroad is a dream for many students, but the high cost of international education often becomes a major barrier. To support talented students from economically weaker sections, the Government of India offers the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS).
The National Overseas Scholarship 2026-27 is a central government scheme that provides financial assistance to students from Scheduled Castes and other eligible communities to pursue Master’s or PhD courses in foreign universities.
Through this scholarship, students can receive support for tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, and other study-related expenses while studying abroad.
In this article, we will explain everything about the National Overseas Scholarship 2026-27, including eligibility, benefits, financial assistance, documents required, and the application process.
What is National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)?
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Its main objective is to help students from disadvantaged communities pursue higher education in reputed international universities.
The scheme supports students in studying Master’s degree or PhD programs abroad, helping them improve their academic knowledge and career opportunities.
The scholarship aims to uplift the economic and social status of students from marginalized communities by providing access to global education opportunities.
Number of Scholarships Available
Under the National Overseas Scholarship scheme, the government provides 125 scholarships every year to eligible students.
Category-wise distribution
| Category | Number of Scholarships |
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 115 |
| Denotified / Nomadic Tribes | 6 |
| Landless Agricultural Labourers & Traditional Artisans | 4 |
| Total | 125 |
Additionally, 30% of the scholarships are reserved for women candidates, encouraging more female students to pursue international education.
Courses Covered Under the Scholarship
The National Overseas Scholarship supports students who want to study higher education abroad.
Eligible Courses
Students can apply for:
- Master’s Degree
- PhD Programs
Not Covered
- Bachelor’s Degree courses are not covered under this scheme.
Students must secure admission in recognized foreign universities or institutions.
University Requirement
To receive the scholarship, students must obtain an unconditional admission offer from a Top 500 university according to the QS World University Rankings.
This requirement ensures that students receive quality education from globally recognized institutions.
National Overseas Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Before applying for the scholarship, students must meet the following eligibility requirements.
Educational Qualification
Students must have at least 60% marks in their qualifying degree.
Qualification requirements include:
- For Master’s degree → Bachelor’s degree required
- For PhD → Master’s degree required
Students must submit marksheets of all semesters while applying.
Age Limit
Applicants must be below 35 years of age as of 1st April of the selection year.
Family Income Limit
The total annual family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh per year.
Income must be verified through:
- Income certificate issued by a Tehsildar or higher authority
- Income tax documents if applicable
Other Important Eligibility Conditions
Applicants must also fulfill the following conditions:
- Must belong to eligible categories mentioned in the scheme
- Must have Aadhaar card
- Must have admission from an approved foreign university
- Must not be receiving any other government scholarship
Students already studying abroad with other funding are not eligible to apply.
Financial Assistance Provided Under NOS Scholarship
The National Overseas Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support for students studying abroad.
According to the table shown on page 11 of the document, the scholarship covers multiple expenses.
Annual Maintenance Allowance
Students receive yearly living expenses depending on the country:
- USA and other countries: 15,400 USD per year
- United Kingdom: 9,900 GBP per year
Contingency Allowance
Students also receive additional funds for academic needs.
- USA & other countries: 1,500 USD per year
- UK: 1,100 GBP per year
This amount can be used for:
- Books
- Laptop
- Study tours
- Conferences
- Thesis typing and printing
Tuition Fees
The scholarship covers actual tuition fees charged by the university.
This means students do not have to worry about expensive tuition costs in foreign universities.
Other Expenses Covered
The scholarship also covers:
- Visa fees
- Medical insurance
- Air travel to and from the study destination
- Equipment allowance
- Travel allowance
This makes it one of the most comprehensive study abroad scholarships offered by the Government of India.
Duration of the Scholarship
The scholarship provides financial support for the full duration of the course.
Maximum duration includes:
| Course | Duration |
| PhD | Up to 4 years |
| Master’s | Up to 3 years |
If students require additional time to complete the course, an extension may be allowed without additional financial support.
Application Process for National Overseas Scholarship
Students who want to apply for the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) must submit their application online through the official website https://www.nosmsje.gov.in. The application process is conducted in two rounds every year.
In the first round, the portal usually opens in February or March, and students get 40 days to submit their application. If some scholarship slots remain unfilled, the portal opens again in the second round during September or October, where candidates also get 40 days to apply online.
Documents Required for NOS Scholarship
Students must upload several documents while applying for the scholarship.
Required Documents
- 10th class certificate
- Caste certificate
- Passport-size photo
- Signature
- Address proof
- Degree certificate
- Marksheets
- Admission-related documents
- Income certificate
- Aadhaar card
- Income tax documents
- NOC from employer (if employed)
These documents help verify eligibility before awarding the scholarship.
Selection Process
The selection of candidates is based on merit and university ranking.
Steps in the selection process
1️⃣ Application submission
2️⃣ Document verification
3️⃣ Shortlisting based on university ranking
4️⃣ Selection committee evaluation
5️⃣ Final merit list
Students with admission offers from higher-ranked universities are given priority.
Important Conditions for Selected Candidates
Selected students must follow certain rules under the scholarship.
Some important conditions include:
- Students must complete the course they applied for
- They must not change the university without approval
- They must return to India after completing the course
- Students must stay in India for at least one year after finishing their studies to contribute to the country.
These rules ensure that students use their education to support national development.
Benefits of National Overseas Scholarship
The NOS scholarship provides several benefits for students.
Major Benefits
✔ Study in top international universities
✔ Government-funded higher education
✔ Tuition fees covered
✔ Living expenses provided
✔ International exposure
✔ Better career opportunities
For many students, this scholarship can make the dream of studying abroad financially possible.
Useful Web-Links
| Apply For National Overseas Scholarship | Click Here |
| Scheme Guidelines | Click Here |
| How to Apply | Click Here |
Final Thoughts
The National Overseas Scholarship 2026-27 is an excellent opportunity for students who want to pursue higher education abroad but cannot afford the high costs.
With financial support covering tuition fees, travel expenses, and living costs, the scholarship makes global education accessible to deserving students.
If you meet the eligibility criteria and have plans to study abroad, applying for the NOS Scholarship can be a life-changing opportunity.
Students should carefully check all eligibility requirements and submit their application before the deadline.
FAQs
Who can apply for the National Overseas Scholarship?
Students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified and Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans can apply for the scholarship if they meet the eligibility criteria.
What is the age limit for NOS Scholarship 2025?
The applicant must be below 35 years of age as of 1st April of the selection year.
Which courses are covered under the NOS Scholarship?
The scholarship supports students who want to pursue Master’s degree or PhD programs abroad. Undergraduate courses are not covered under this scheme.
How long does the NOS Scholarship support students?
The scholarship provides financial support for up to 3 years for Master’s programs and 4 years for PhD programs.
When does the NOS Scholarship application start?
The application usually opens in February or March for the first round and September or October for the second round.
DibyaJyoti Nath, founder of assamtopper.com, holds a B.Ed and a Master’s degree from Gauhati University. He works in the Education Department, Government of Assam, and has over 5 years of blogging experience, sharing helpful information with students.