National Overseas Scholarship 2025

The Indian government's National Overseas Scholarship Scheme aims to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans studying at top universities abroad. It offers funding for up to three years for graduates and four years for doctoral students. Approximately 125 scholarships are awarded each year, 115 of which are for SC candidates.

Read also: Scholarships for International Students to study Abroad 

Benefits of the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme covers a significant portion of the costs for students studying abroad. The main areas of funding are:

• Tuition Fees: Academic fees are fully covered.
• Visa Fees: Payment for visa application fees.
• Maintenance Allowance: Help with living expenses.
• Contingency Fund: Additional funds for unexpected expenses.
• Medical Insurance Premium: Cost of health insurance.
• Contingency Travel and Equipment: Amount for travel expenses and necessary equipment. 
• Air tickets: The cost of travel to and from the destination country.

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Eligibility Criteria for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

To apply for Indian Overseas Scholarship, applicants must fulfill the following requirements. 

1. Caste Requirements: 

• They belong to one of the listed species. If none or few applicants are from the target groups, students from other castes will be considered accordingly. 

2. University Admissions: 

• Foreign university admissions are in the top 500 in the world (QS ranking 2023). 

3. Study exclusions: 

• NOS does not offer courses or research in Indian culture, heritage, history and social studies.

4. No Other Funding:

• Applicants must have no other sources of funding.

5. Academic Performance: 

• Achieve a minimum of 60% on the last qualifying exam.

6. Age requirement: 

• Applicants must be under 35 years old.

7. Family Income:

• The annual family income should be less than 8 lakhs.

8. Applicants: 

• Applicants must submit their employer certificate of objection (NOC). 

9. Visa Requirements: 

• Students studying in the United States need a J-1 visa. 

10. Bonding Agreement: 

• Selected students must sign a scholarship to pay for tuition. 

11. Organizational changes: 

• Students cannot change their study institution unless their advisor leaves and no other advisors are available. To qualify for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025, you must meet these criteria.

Check our Comprehensive Guide before applying for scholarships

Application Process for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

The application process for the Indian Overseas Scholarship is completely online and consists of the following steps:

• Student registration: Visit the official website and fill out the Student Registration Form.
• Upload Required Documents: Please upload all required documents as specified in the application guidelines.

To be considered for the scholarship, make sure you complete both steps accurately and submit all required information and documentation.

Documents Required for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government

To apply for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government, you must submit the following documents:

1. Academic Certificates: Copies of all applicable academic transcripts and certificates.

2. Caste identity card: proof of identity with a particular ethnic group. 

3. Unconditional offer letter: A letter of acceptance from a foreign university. 

4. Family income certificate: Proof that your family’s annual income is less than Rs 8 lakh. 

5. Aadhaar card: Provide a copy of your Aadhaar card to verify your identity. 

6. Photo: A recent passport-sized painting. 

7. Scanned Signature: A digital copy of your signature. 

8. When submitting to the application portal, make sure all documents are clear and legible.

Selection Process for the National Overseas Scholarship 2025

The selection process for the National Overseas Scholarship involves several steps:

1. Application criteria:

• The Selection and Screening Committee reviews eligible applications. 

2. University ranking analysis:

• Candidates are selected on the basis of their admission to the university. The list of shortlisted candidates will be published on the official website. 
• Selected applicants will also receive an email confirming their selection for the first round.

3. Family Income Consideration:

• In the first level of selection, the family income for the last financial year is considered.
• For the second level, the family income of the last 2-3 years is taken into account.

4.  Provisional Scholarship Offer:

• Selected candidates will receive a provisional scholarship letter, which they must confirm and send back.

5. Verification and Documentation:

• Beneficiaries will undergo processes such as verification of original documents, submission of Bonds, solvency certificates, and other required documentation.

6. Selection Period:

• The selection period typically occurs from March to April each year.

By following these steps, the selection committee ensures that the most deserving candidates are awarded the National Overseas Scholarship.

How Can I Contact the Government of India for National Overseas Scholarship 2025?

To get your questions or queries answered, you can contact the Government of India by using the below-mentioned contact details:

Shri Sanjay Singh
Under Secretary
Shastri Bhawan Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi-110001
Phone: 011 23384023 (All working days 3 PM to 5 PM)
Email: so-nos-msje@gov.in

For Technical queries Only

Phone: 011 23073443 (from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM)
Email: so-nos-msje@gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Indian government scheme funds education abroad for students belonging to select marginalized castes? 

Is 55% marks mandatory for students who have already been admitted to universities abroad? 

Which are the subjects eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian government? 

How many ST students are awarded the National Overseas Scholarships Scheme for each field of study? 

• STEM (Pure/AppliedScience, Engineering, Technology, Mathematics) - 10
• Management, Economics, Finance, Law - 04
• Agriculture and Medicine - 04
• Humanities and Social Science - 02

Can I edit the application form for the National Overseas Scholarship after submission?

Does the National Overseas Scholarship cover expenses of the spouse or children? 

How to apply for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government?

• Visit the official website: Visit the official website of the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. 
• Register: Complete the student registration form with your own course information.
• Upload documents: Upload digital images of this: 
• Educational Certificate 
• Caste Certificate 
• Unconditional offer letter 
• Family Income Certificate 
• Aadhaar card 
• Photo 
• Scanned Signature
• Send the application: Check all the details and submit your application online.
• Confirmation: Receive an email confirming your application.