National Overseas Scholarship 2026: Ministry Invites Students to Explore Study Abroad Opportunity

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has highlighted the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), a Central Sector Scheme that provides financial assistance to eligible low-income students pursuing postgraduate/PhD studies abroad and seeking to pursue higher education abroad.

The official X post of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment read, “Dream big, seize the opportunity to study abroad with the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS). Scan the QR code for more information.”

Under the National Overseas Scholarship, in each selection year a total of 125 fresh awards is provided, as per the funds availability.

National Overseas Scholarship: Who Can Apply?

The National Overseas Scholarship aims of helping students from specified communities pursue master’s degree or PhD courses abroad. Under the scheme guidelines applicable from the 2026-27 academic year, financial assistance is provided to eligible students from the Scheduled Castes (SC), De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans categories.

According to the category-wise distribution:

• 115 slots for Scheduled Caste candidates,
• 6 slots for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, and
• 4 slots for Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans

The scheme also earmarks 30% of the scholarship slots are reserved for female candidates in each selection year.

The scheme is intended to support students from low-income backgrounds in accessing higher education at institutions and universities abroad, with the broader objective of improving their economic and social status.

Financial Assistance Under NOS

The scholarship provides financial assistance to selected candidates pursuing eligible master’s and PhD programmes abroad. The scheme covers studies at institutions or universities accredited by the government or an authorised body of the respective country.

The scholarship funds are not directly disbursed to students by the Ministry. According to the scheme details, funds are allocated to Indian Missions abroad, which make payments towards tuition fees, maintenance allowance and other applicable allowances to universities or students.

Interested students are advised to visit the official Department of Social Justice and Empowerment website and read the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Guidelines applicable from 2026-27 for more detailed information related to eligibility criteria, application requirements, financial assistance and other provisions.