The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2025-26 is a prestigious initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) to support students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Tribes (DNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans in pursuing Master’s and Ph.D. programs abroad. If you’re aiming for higher education at top global universities, this scholarship could be your gateway.
In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about NOS 2025-26 — eligibility, benefits, application dates, and other key details.
Table of Contents
What is the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2025-26?
The NOS scheme provides full financial support for eligible candidates to study at top 500 QS-ranked universities worldwide. The goal is to boost your economic and social status through world-class education—think studying at places like Harvard, Oxford, or MIT!
Key highlights:
- 125 scholarships are awarded annually.
- Covers tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, visa fees, and more.
- Only for Master’s (3 years) and Ph.D. (4 years) programs.
- No support for Bachelor’s degrees or Indian culture-related courses (sorry, Bachelor’s hopefuls!), but if you’re planning for a Master’s or Ph.D. down the road, this scheme could fund your journey.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
The NOS targets specific groups and has strict eligibility rules.
A. Category-wise Eligibility
| Category | Slots Allocated |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 115 |
| Denotified, Nomadic, Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) | 06 |
| Landless Agricultural Labourers & Traditional Artisans | 04 |
| Total | 125 |
Note:
- 30% of slots are reserved for women (if unfilled, allocated to male candidates).
- State-wise cap: No more than 10% of total slots per state.
Valid caste certificates issued by competent authorities are mandatory.
B. General Eligibility Criteria
- Age Limit: Below 35 years (as of 1st April 2025).
- Income Limit: Family income ≤ ₹8 lakh/year (You’ll need an income certificate from a Tehsildar and ITR documents to prove this.).
- University Requirement: Unconditional admission offer from a Top 500 QS-ranked university (2025 list).
C. Qualifications
- For Master’s Degree: Must have completed a Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks.
- For Ph.D.: Must have completed a Master’s degree with at least 60% marks.
Note: Final year students can apply if they upload a Provisional Certificate by the deadline.
Who is NOT Eligible?
- Students already studying abroad on another scholarship.
- Applicants with F-1 visa (USA)—only J-1 visa is allowed.
- Those pursuing Indian culture/heritage-related courses.
Financial Benefits Under NOS 2025-26
Here’s what you get:
- Tuition Fees: Fully covered, no matter the cost.
- Annual Maintenance Allowance:
- USA & most countries: $15,400 (~Rs. 13 lakh)
- UK: £9,900 (~Rs. 10.5 lakh)
- Contingency Allowance: $1,500 (USA) or £1,100 (UK) for books, laptops, study tours, and university fees like registration or library costs.
- Visa Fees: Actual cost in INR.
- Medical Insurance: Actual premium paid.
- Airfare: Economy class tickets via authorized agents (Balmer Lawrie, Ashok Travels, or IRCTC) from your hometown to the university and back.
- Incidental Journey & Equipment Allowance: $20 (or INR equivalent).
You can even supplement this with teaching or research assistantships abroad! For context, this could cover living and studying in cities like London or New York—pretty amazing, right?
Application Timeline for NOS 2025-26
As per the official website nosmsje.gov.in:
- First Round Open: March 19, 2025 (00:00 hrs) to April 27, 2025 (23:59 hrs)—a 40-day window!
- Correction Period: April 29, 2025 (00:00 hrs) to May 2, 2025 (23:59 hrs)—4 days to fix mistakes (no new registrations).
- Second Round: Likely September/October 2025 (40 days + 4-day correction), if slots remain.
After applying, scrutiny takes 20-30 days, followed by a Selection Committee review (10-15 days). Results hit the portal, and you’ll get an email. Selected? You’ve got up to one year (or two intake deferrals) from the provisional award letter to join your university.
How to Apply?
- Register & Apply Online: NOS Official Portal
- Upload Documents:
- Caste certificate
- Income proof (ITR + Tehsildar certificate)
- Academic mark sheets (all semesters)
- Unconditional admission offer (Top 500 QS university)
- Aadhaar card
- Submit & Await Selection:
- Merit-based selection (QS ranking + academic scores).
- Results announced in June-July 2025.
Final Thoughts
The NOS 2025-26 scholarship is a golden opportunity for SC, ST, and other eligible candidates to study at world-class institutions without financial burden. With only 125 seats, competition is fierce—so start preparing your application NOW!
🔗 Official Website: https://nosmsje.gov.in
Frequently Asked Questions on NOS 2025-26
Who can apply for the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2025-26?
You’re eligible if you belong to:
Scheduled Castes (SC)
Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT)
Landless Agricultural Labourers (no land/property, earning via farm labor)
Traditional Artisans (livelihood from crafts)
Plus, you need to be under 35 years old (as of April 1, 2025) and have a family income below Rs. 8 lakh per year.What courses does the NOS cover?
It funds Master’s degrees (up to 3 years) and Ph.D. programs (up to 4 years) at accredited foreign universities. Sorry, no Bachelor’s degrees!
What’s the minimum qualification needed?
For a Master’s: A Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks.
For a Ph.D.: A Master’s degree with at least 60% marks.
You’ll need all semester marksheets (and a CGPA conversion formula if applicable).Do I need admission to a university before applying?
Yes! For Round 1, you need an unconditional offer from a Top 500 QS-ranked university (2025 rankings). Round 2 considers other QS-ranked or recognized institutions. Start researching now!
Can Class 12 students apply right now?
Not yet—you need a Bachelor’s degree first. But if you’re from an eligible category, use this as motivation to aim for 60% in college and plan for a Master’s later!
Got questions? Drop them in the comments below!