The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through its Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), runs the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme for students with disabilities (SwDs) who aspire to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. degrees abroad. The scheme ensures that deserving students with 40% or more disability get an opportunity to study at globally accredited institutions, removing financial barriers and enabling social inclusion.
Key Highlights
• Scheme Name: National Overseas Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (NOS-SwD)
• Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, DEPwD
• Academic Levels: Master’s Degree & Ph.D. Programmes
• Disability Requirement: 40% & above
• Age Limit: Not more than 35 years as of the advertisement month
• Income Limit: Family income should not exceed ₹6,00,000 per annum
• Application Mode: Offline
• Application Deadline: Open throughout the year
• Seats Available (Annual): Limited slots with preference to women and twin-child families
Benefits
Students selected under NOS-SwD receive comprehensive financial coverage:
| Type of Allowance | USA/Other Countries | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Maintenance Allowance | $15,400 | £9,900 |
| Contingency Allowance | $1,500 | £1,100 |
| Equipment Allowance | ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Tuition Fees | Actual | Actual |
| Visa Fees | Actual | Actual |
| Medical Insurance Premium | Actual | Actual |
| Airfare (to and fro) | Actual economy class | Actual |
| Local Travel & Journey Allowance | Actual charges by rail/bus/ferry | – |
| Incidental Journey/Equipment Transport Charges | $20 | Equivalent |
Eligibility Criteria
• Applicant must be a citizen of India and a bonafide resident
• Must have 40% or more disability, certified under the RPwD Act, 2016
• Not more than 35 years of age at the time of application
• Must have an unconditional offer from a foreign university for a Master’s or PhD
• Must have completed a Bachelor’s Degree for Master’s applicants or a Master’s Degree for Ph.D. applicants
• Total family income from all sources must not exceed ₹6 lakh per annum
• Applicant must not hold any other foreign degree at the same level
• Twins will both be eligible under a special provision
• Scholarship is for one course only and cannot be repeated for the same level
Exclusions
• Undergraduate courses (Bachelor’s) are not supported
• Students who have already studied abroad with state or private sponsorships
• Students already enrolled abroad without this scholarship
• No benefit for repeating a year or reapplying for the same level (e.g., second Master’s)
• Students receiving another full scholarship are ineligible
• Only two children of a family are eligible unless they are twins
Application Process
Offline Mode Only
- Download the Application Form:
NOS-SwD Application Form PDF - Complete the Form and attach all supporting documents
- Send to:
Applications are accepted year-round
Documents Required
• Duly filled application form
• Proof of Date of Birth (10th certificate or Birth Certificate)
• Disability Certificate
• Aadhaar Card & Voter ID
• Proof of Address (if different from ID)
• PAN Card (applicant and parent/guardian)
• Bank account details linked to Aadhaar
• Educational qualification certificates
• Admission offer from an accredited foreign university
• 500-word study proposal
• Income Tax Return and Certificate (in prescribed format)
• Self-declaration of not receiving any other scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is there a duration to the prescribed financial assistance?
Yes, the prescribed financial assistance will be provided up to the completion of the course/research or the following period, whichever is earlier:
PhD – 04 years (Four years)
Master’s Degree – 03 years (Three years) - What all shall be covered under Contingency Allowance?
The Contingency allowance shall be for books/essential apparatus/ study tour/ travel cost for attending subject related conference, workshops etc./ typing and binding of thesis etc. - Are there any terms for availing the Maintenance Allowance?
The payment of Maintenance Allowance is linked with the urnishing of a progress report. For the first semester/six months, the maintenance allowance may be paid to the scholarship awardee in the first instance as an advance. Thereafter, the maintenance allowance for the next semester/six months may be paid only after receipt of the satisfactory progress report of the awardee for the first six months/semester. - Are the awardees permitted to supplement their prescribed allowances by undertaking a Research / Teaching Assistantship?
Yes, the awardees are permitted to do so up to $2400 per annum, and for awardees in the UK, 1560 per annum. - How many scholarship slots are there in this scheme?
In each selection year, 20 fresh awards, subject to availability of funds, will be given under this scheme. - Is there any earmarking for women candidates?
Yes, there is 30% of the awards for each year shall be earmarked for women candidates. However, in case, adequate women candidates are not available as per the stipulations of the scheme, then the unutilized slots will be utilized by selecting suitable male candidates. - Are Bachelor’s Level courses also covered under this scheme?
No, Bachelor’s Level courses, in any discipline, are not covered under this scheme. - I have completed my studies abroad on a scholarship from state govt. Am I eligible to apply for this scheme?
No, candidates already staying or studying or having completed studies abroad by utilizing any other scholarship from State Government, other agency, or through own funds are not eligible to apply under this scheme. - How many children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible fothe r scholarship?
Not more than two children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible for the scholarship.
A. The second child of the same parents/guardians will be considered only if slots are still available in the last cycle of the year in which the applicant has applied. - I hold a Master’s Degree from an Institute in India. Am I eligible to apply for this scheme if I have an unconditional offer letter for a Master’s Degree from an institute located outside India?
The candidate is not eligible for a scholarship to pursue the same level (Master’s/Ph.D.) of course for which he/she has already qualified from any University/Institution either in India or abroad. - How would I know the status of my application?
A list of selected / not-selected candidates will be uploaded on the portal. Individual email / messages will also be sent to all registered applicants.