National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme 2025, launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, offers a golden opportunity for meritorious Scheduled Tribe (ST) students to pursue higher education abroad. This scheme supports Postgraduate (Master’s), Ph.D., and Post-Doctoral Research programs in top-ranked foreign universities across the globe. With comprehensive financial coverage, the program aims to empower tribal students to gain international exposure and uplift their communities.

---

Scheme Key Highlights (Short Summary)

• Launched by: Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
• Target Group: Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)
• Courses Covered: Master’s, Ph.D., and Post-Doctoral Research (No Bachelor’s courses)
• Total Awards: 20 (17 for ST, 3 for PVTG)
• Female Reservation: 30% of awards reserved for women
• Application Mode: Online via overseas.tribal.gov.in

---

Fields of Study & Slots Allocation

---

Benefits

Note: Financial assistance will be provided only for the standard course duration. Extensions are allowed only for return airfare.

---

Eligibility Criteria

• Must belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) or PVTG category
• Must be pursuing or planning to pursue Master’s, Ph.D., or Post-Doctoral Research abroad
• Must have obtained:

• Minimum 55% marks or equivalent in last qualifying examination

• Admission/offer letter from a top 1,000 ranked foreign university (QS Ranking preferred)
  • Only one candidate per family is eligible under this scheme
  • Family income limit: ₹6,00,000 per annum
  • Age limit (as of 1st July of selection year):

• Master’s: up to 32 years

• Ph.D.: up to 35 years

• Post-Doctoral: up to 38 years

Income is calculated based on income of parents only. Siblings’ or guardians’ income is not counted.

---

Application Process (Online)

A. DigiLocker Registration

1. Visit https://www.digilocker.gov.in/signup

2. Register using your Aadhaar and mobile number

3. Upload documents (if not found in “Issued Documents”) to the “Uploaded Documents” section

B. NOS Portal Registration

1. Go to https://overseas.tribal.gov.in/StudentsRegistrationForm.aspx

2. Fill in personal details and verify OTP

3. Set a password and log in

C. Filling Application Form

1. Login: https://overseas.tribal.gov.in/Login.aspx

2. Complete academic, personal, and contact information

3. Link DigiLocker and retrieve documents

4. Read and agree to declarations

5. Click Submit (No edits allowed after final submission)

---

Documents Required

• Passport-size Photograph
• 10th Certificate (DOB proof)
• Graduation Marksheet (for Master’s applicants)
• Master’s Marksheet (for Ph.D. applicants)
• Ph.D. Marksheet (for Post-Doctoral applicants)
• ST Certificate / PVTG Certificate
• Family Income Certificate
• Offer Letter from University
• ITR/Form-16 (latest)
• CGPA to Percentage conversion formula, if applicable

Note: All documents must be uploaded to Digilocker and fetched directly via the portal.

---

Selection Process

1. Merit List – Round 1:
   • Candidates already enrolled in top 1,000 QS-ranked universities
   • Based on university rank and academic merit

2. Merit List – Round 2:
   • Candidates with preliminary offer letters from QS-ranked universities

3. Round 3 (Interview):
   • Remaining candidates are invited for a personal interview
   • Preference to those with GRE/GMAT/TOEFL scores

---

Important Notes

• Only one child per family can benefit from the scheme
• Bachelor’s degree courses are not eligible
• Scholarships cannot be availed twice at the same or higher level
• Change of course/institution is not allowed after selection
• Visa and travel arrangements are the responsibility of the candidate
• Post-study, course details must be uploaded to the alumni module before return ticket processing

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who can apply for National Overseas Scholarship Scheme?
  This scheme is open for all ST students who are currently pursuing or wish to opt for higher studies abroad for Masters, PhD & Post-Doctoral research programme. The candidate should fulfill the criteria as per the scheme guidelines for National Overseas Scholarship Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The guidelines may be seen at https://overseas.tribal.gov.in/.
• How many slots/awards available for National Overseas Scholarship?
  There are 20slots/awardsavailable for National Overseas Scholarship
  foreach year as follows:
  Scheduled Tribes (ST): 17
  Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG): 03
  Total 20 1. Six awards earmarked for female beneficiaries. In case earmarked awards remain un-filled, these awards may be transferred to male beneficiaries.
  2. The Scheme doesn’t provide any employment opportunities to the awardee after his/her completion of the course.
• Is there any family income criteria required for availing the Scholarship?
  The Total family’s income from all sources of the candidate or his/her parents/guardians or spouse should not exceed Rs. 6,00,000/- per annum (excluding such allowances as are not treated as part of total income for the purpose of Income Tax) as certified by the employer. If the candidate is currently employed, a copy of latest tax assessment [ ITR, Form-16] be also enclosed in the application.
• Can more than one child of the same Parent/Guardian avail Scholarship under the Scheme?
  Not more than one child of the same parents/guardians will be eligible and to certify this a self-certification will be required from the candidate. An individual can be given the award only once and cannot be considered for the award for second or subsequent time.
• Who can issue the income certificate?
  The Income certificate should be issued by competent authority of State Government.
• What is the time period within which candidate need to join the course after obtaining provisional award letter?
  A selected candidate is required to join within 2 year of receipt of intimation from this Ministry regarding selection for the award/assurance. On expiry of this specified period of time, the award automatically gets cancelled.
• Can aresearch scholar allowed to receive stipend from Research/teaching assistantship”?
  The research scholar is permitted to supplement their prescribed allowances by Undertaking Research/Teaching Assistantship Up to US Dollar 2400 per annum and for research scholar in United Kingdom, Pound Sterling 1,560/-per annum. Where income earned is beyond these prescribed ceilings, the maintenance allowance under the scheme shall be correspondingly reduced by the Indian Mission Abroad. For other countries, US Dollar 2400 per annum or equivalent rates would be applicable.
• If a student is unable to complete his /her course, what will happen in that case?
  If a student defaults and does not complete the course, he/she is liable to refund entire scholarship amount received by him/her to the Ministry. The para X of the scheme guidelines “Default under the scheme” may be referred for details.
• What should students do, in case they face any problem while filling the application form in Google Chrome?
  If students face any problem while filling the application form in Google Chrome, they are advised to use internet explorer. In case any issue/error in internet explorer as well, they are advised to clear browser history /cache and try again.
• What should be the Type and size of the documents and profile photo to be uploaded?
  All documents should be uploaded in pdf file and the Profile Photo should be in .jpg/.jpeg format(Size: – 50 KB-100KB).
• Which fields in the application form are mandatory?
  Fields provided with black asterisk(*) mark are mandatory fields.
• Do I have to fill up the online application in one sitting?
  No, you can fill up the online application in many sittings by clicking ‘Save Draft’ button, until you are satisfied that you have entered all desirable fields correctly. The software provides auto save facility to save your application at every stage until you click on ‘Submit’ button finally.
• Can I change my mobile number and email id after submission of application form?
  No, you cannot change your mobile number and email id after submitting
  the applicationform. You need to maintain the same mobile number and email-id throughout the selection process. However, in case your contact detail changes due to some unavoidable reasons, the same may be communicated through online query at https://tribal.nic.in/Grievance/ with the Ministry at the earliest.

---

Sources and References

• Guidelines
• FAQs
• Instruction Manual For Application Process
• NOS Advertisement 2022-23