The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme 2025-26 aims to empower students from marginalized communities by offering financial support for higher education abroad. But before you apply, it’s essential to understand whether you meet the eligibility requirements. Here's a clear, simple guide to help you check if you're eligible.
Table of Contents
Who Can Apply? The Eligible Categories
The NOS Scheme is specifically meant for students belonging to the following categories:
1. Scheduled Castes (SC): The majority—115 slots—are reserved for SC candidates. If your family has an SC certificate, this could be your shot!
2. Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT): 6 slots are set aside for these groups. These are communities historically labeled as “notified tribes” and later identified.
3. Landless Agricultural Labourers: Defined as families with no land, property, or business, earning a living through manual farm work. They share 4 slots with…
4. Traditional Artisans: Families who make a living through traditional crafts (think pottery, weaving, etc.).
Slots Distribution (Per Year)
A total of 125 slots are available each year, distributed as:
| Category | Number of Slots |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | 115 |
| Denotified, Nomadic, Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) | 6 |
| Landless Agricultural Labourers & Traditional Artisans | 4 |
| Total | 125 |
Fun Fact: Out of the 125 slots, 30% (around 37) are earmarked for women. If there aren’t enough women applicants, those slots go to eligible men. And if any category doesn’t fill its quota, the leftover slots open up to others based on merit.
| For Students: If you’re from one of these groups, start checking your caste certificate now—it’s a key document! |
Age Limit
- Applicants must be under 35 years of age as of April 1, 2025. If you are born after April 1, 1990, you’re eligible to apply.
Educational Qualifications
To apply for the NOS 2025-26, you must have:
For Master’s: A Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks (or equivalent grade). Got a B.E./B.Tech after a diploma? Only your Bachelor’s marks count.
For Ph.D.: A Master’s degree with at least 60% marks.
Example
- Regular Student: Priya does 12th grade, then a 4-year B.Tech, scoring 65% overall. She’s eligible.
- Lateral Entry Student: Rohan does a 3-year diploma (say, 70%), then a 3-year B.Tech via lateral entry, scoring 62% in the B.Tech. Only his 62% B.Tech marks count—not the 70% from his diploma. He’s eligible too!
Note: No Bachelor’s courses, no Indian culture/history topics, and if you’ve already studied abroad (via another scholarship or your own funds), you’re not eligible.
| Crucial Points: 1. Submit marksheets for all semesters. Missing even one? Your application’s out. 2. If your university uses CGPA, include an authenticated formula to convert it to percentage. No formula, no chance. |
Income Criteria
Your gross annual family income must be less than Rs. 8 lakh (Rs. 8,00,000) in the previous financial year. “Family” includes:
- You (the applicant)
- Your parents
- Siblings under 18
- Your spouse and kids under 18 (if married)
- For married women: In-laws’ income counts too!
You’ll need an income certificate from a Tehsildar and, if your family earns over Rs. 2.5 lakh (old tax regime) or Rs. 3 lakh (new tax regime) in FY 2023-24, Income Tax Return (ITR) documents too. For 2025-26’s first round, they’ll check FY 2023-24 initially, but FY 2024-25 must also stay under Rs. 8 lakh before the final award.
Institution Eligibility: Where Can You Study?
You can’t just pick any university abroad for your Master’s or Ph.D. The rules depend on whether you’re applying in Round 1 or Round 2.
Round 1: The High Bar (Open Now Until April 27, 2025)
- Requirement: You need an unconditional offer of admission from a university ranked in the Top 500 QS World University Rankings for 2025.
- Top 500 QS World University Rankings: QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) is a global ranking system that lists the best universities each year based on things like academic reputation, research, and teaching quality. For 2025, you can check the list at topuniversities.com. Think big names like Harvard, Oxford, or IITs (if they have overseas campuses).
- Deadline: The portal’s open now (since March 19, 2025) and closes at 23:59 hrs on April 27, 2025. You’ve got to have that offer letter ready by then!
Round 2: More Options (September/October 2025)
If slots are left after Round 1 (or you miss the first deadline), Round 2 opens up in September or October 2025 with looser rules. You still need an unconditional offer, but the university options widen in this order of priority:
- Top 500 QS Schools: If you didn’t apply in Round 1 but now have an offer from a Top 500 QS-ranked school, you’re first in line for Round 2.
- Other QS-Ranked Institutions: These are universities ranked by QS but outside the Top 500 (e.g., 501-1000 or lower). Not as elite, but still solid and recognized globally.
- Recognized Accredited Schools: These are universities not on the QS list but still accredited by the government or an authorized body in their country. They’re the last pick if slots remain.
| Selection Round | Eligible Institutions | Priority | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Top 500 QS World University Rankings (2025) | Only option | April 27, 2025 |
| Round 2 | 1. Top 500 QS Schools | 1st | September/October 2025 |
| 2. Other QS-Ranked Institutions | 2nd | September/October 2025 | |
| 3. Recognized Accredited Schools | 3rd | September/October 2025 |
For Example:
- Round 1: Priya gets accepted to MIT (QS #1) by April 27, 2025. She applies and qualifies.
- Why? MIT is in the Top 500 QS rankings (actually #1!), and Round 1 (March 19–April 27, 2025) only accepts candidates with offers from Top 500 schools. If she meets all other criteria (caste, income, age, etc.), she’s eligible for one of the 125 slots. Since Round 1 prioritizes the best schools, she’s almost guaranteed a spot unless all 125 slots somehow fill with higher-ranked offers (very unlikely with only 125 total!).
- Round 2: Rohan misses Round 1 but gets into a university ranked QS #600 in October 2025. He applies in Round 2 and might still get a slot if Top 500 applicants don’t fill it up.
- Why? Round 2 (September/October 2025) opens up to: (1) Top 500 QS schools first, (2) other QS-ranked schools (like #600), then (3) accredited schools. His university isn’t Top 500, so he’s in the second priority group. If, say, only 100 slots are taken in Round 1 by Top 500 applicants, 25 slots remain for Round 2. Rohan could snag one, but only if higher-priority (Top 500) applicants don’t take them all first.
Other Key Exclusions
- Bachelor’s degrees are not funded under NOS.
- Candidates who have already studied abroad on a scholarship or otherwise are not eligible.
- A family (defined as the same parents or guardians) can have up to two children receive the NOS, but not more.
Final Checklist for NOS 2025-26 Eligibility
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | Below 35 years as of 1st April 2025 |
| Category | SC / DNT / Landless Agricultural Labourer / Artisan |
| Academic Admission | Secured admission in a Top 500 ranked foreign institution |
| Educational Qualification | Minimum 60% marks in qualifying degree |
| Family Income | ₹8 lakh or less per annum |
| Document Verification | Valid certificates for caste, income, age, etc. |
Frequently Asked Questions on NOS Eligibility
Who’s eligible to apply for the NOS 2025-26?
You can apply if you’re from:
Scheduled Castes (SC) – 115 slots
Denotified, Nomadic, or Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) – 6 slots
Landless Agricultural Labourers (no land, farm work income) or Traditional Artisans (craft-based livelihood) – 4 slots combined
Plus, about 37 of the 125 slots are reserved for women across these groups!What’s the income limit for my family?
Your family’s total yearly income must be less than Rs. 8 lakh. That includes your parents, siblings under 18, and, if you’re married, your spouse, kids under 18, or in-laws (for women). You’ll need a Tehsildar’s certificate to prove it!
What if I’ve studied abroad before?
Sorry, you’re out! If you’ve done a course abroad—funded by another scholarship or yourself—you can’t apply for NOS.
How many slots are there, and who gets them?
There are 125 total: 115 for SC, 6 for DNT, and 4 for Labourers/Artisans. If slots don’t fill in one category, they shift to others based on merit. Only two kids per family can apply, though!