National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2026-27: Apply Now- Fulfil Your Dream

Official Portal: https://nosmsje.gov.in

IMPORTANT NOTICE — Application Window Open Now!

Application Start Date: 24th April 2026 (00:00 hours) Application End Date: 2nd June 2026 (23:59 hours) Correction Window: 4th June – 7th June 2026 (for submitted applicants only; no new registrations) Apply at: https://nosmsje.gov.in

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What is the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)?

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a prestigious Central Sector Scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It is one of India’s most valuable government scholarships for studying abroad.

The scheme helps low-income students from marginalised communities — Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified/Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT), Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans — to pursue Master’s degree or Ph.D. programmes at top international universities.

NOS covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, travel costs, visa fees, and medical insurance — a truly all-in-one scholarship for higher education abroad.

NOS 2026-27 — At a Glance

Scheme Name	National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
Ministry	Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India
Level of Study	Master’s Degree & Ph.D.
Location of Study	Abroad (Top 500 QS-ranked universities)
Total Scholarships	125 fresh awards per selection year
Family Income Limit	Up to Rs. 8,00,000 per annum (all sources)
Age Limit	Not more than 35 years (as on 1st April of the selection year)
Minimum Marks	60% or equivalent grade in qualifying exam
Selection Year	2026-27 (April 2026 – March 2027)
Official Website	https://nosmsje.gov.in

Who Can Apply? — Eligibility Criteria

1. Category (Community)

You must belong to one of these communities:

Scheduled Castes (SC)
Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT)
Landless Agricultural Labourers
Traditional Artisans

2. Age Limit

You must not be more than 35 years of age as on 1st April of the selection year (i.e., 1st April 2026 for the 2026-27 cycle).

3. Educational Qualification (Minimum Marks)

You need at least 60% marks or equivalent CGPA/OGPA in the qualifying examination:

For Master’s degree applicants — qualifying exam is Bachelor’s Degree
For Ph.D. applicants — qualifying exam is Master’s Degree

4. Family Income Limit

Your gross annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs. 8,00,000 (Eight Lakh Rupees) in the last completed financial year (FY 2025-26 for 2026-27 applications).

Family includes: The applicant + parents + siblings below 18 years + spouse + children below 18 years. For married women, income of in-laws is also considered.

5. Admission in a Top Foreign University

You must have an unconditional offer of admission from a university listed in the Top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2026. The offer letter must be unconditional — though financial conditions (like fee deposit) do not disqualify you.

Check the QS rankings: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2026

6. Who Cannot Apply?

Candidates already studying or having studied abroad on any government or private scholarship
Candidates applying for the same level of qualification they already hold (e.g., applying for Masters if you already have a Master’s degree)
Those seeking admission for Bachelor’s level courses
Research on Indian culture, heritage, history, or India-based topics is not covered
Candidates going to USA on F-1 Visa (only J-1 Visa is permitted for USA)

Number of Scholarships — Category-Wise Seats

Category	Seats (per year)
Scheduled Castes (SC)	115
Denotified, Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT)	06
Landless Agricultural Labourers & Traditional Artisans	04
Total	125

Note: 30% of annual seats are reserved for women candidates.

A 10% state-wise cap applies in the first round. Unfilled slots in round 1 open in round 2.

Duration of Financial Support

Master’s Degree: Up to 3 years
Ph.D.: Up to 4 years

How to Apply — Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Visit the official NOS portal — https://nosmsje.gov.in
Step 2: Click on ‘Candidate Registration’ on the homepage. Fill in all details carefully (category, state, DOB, name as per Matric certificate, mobile, email, and password). No changes are allowed after registration.
Step 3: Log in using your registered email and password.
Step 4: Fill in Personal Details, Address Details, Emergency Contact, Foreign University Details, Qualifying Exam Details, and Employment Details.
Step 5: Fill in Family Income Details for all family members.
Step 6: Upload all required documents (see Documents section below) in PDF (max 3 MB). Upload photo and signature in JPEG/JPG (max 100 KB).
Step 7: Review all details carefully and submit the application. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
Step 8: If selected, upload the Attestation Form and other documents when asked.

Note: All fields marked with (*) are compulsory. Double-check your email and password as they will be used for all future login and communication.

Documents Required for Application

Upload all documents in PDF format (max 3 MB each). Photo and Signature in JPEG/JPG (max 100 KB).

Mandatory Documents at Application Stage:

Aadhaar Card
Caste Certificate
Birth Certificate
Current Address Proof & Permanent Address Proof
10th Board / High School / Secondary Marksheet & Certificate
Qualifying Degree / Provisional Certificate (Graduation or Post-Graduation)
All Semester Marksheets (combined PDF)
CGPA/SGPA to Percentage Conversion Formula (if applicable, university-authenticated)
Unconditional Offer Letter from Foreign University
Family Income Certificate (issued by Tehsildar or above)
Income Tax Return Acknowledgement (for all family members with applicable income)
Income Certificates: Father / Mother / Spouse / Self / Siblings-Children (up to 3)
Employer’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) — if currently employed
Gap Certificate — if there is a gap of more than 6 months after qualifying degree
Applicant’s Passport-Size Photo (JPEG/JPG)
Applicant’s Signature (JPEG/JPG)

Selection Process — How Are Candidates Chosen?

The selection is merit-based and transparent. Here is how it works:

Applications are shortlisted based on eligibility criteria.
Merit is determined primarily by the QS World University Ranking of the university where the candidate has received an offer. Higher-ranked university = higher merit position.
In case of a tie in QS ranking, the percentage/grade in the qualifying examination decides the rank.
Shortlisted applications are reviewed by the Selection-cum-Screening Committee.
Final selection is approved by the Honourable Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment.
A waitlist of up to 50% of total seats is maintained. Waitlist remains valid until 31st March of the selection year.

There are two selection rounds per year. If seats remain unfilled after Round 1 (April/May), Round 2 opens in September/October.

In Round 2, priority is: (1) Top 500 QS applicants, then (2) other QS-ranked university applicants, then (3) other recognized institution applicants.

Important Dates — NOS 2026-27

Round 1 Application Opens	24th April 2026 (00:00 hours)
Round 1 Application Closes	2nd June 2026 (23:59 hours)
Correction Window	4th June 2026 – 7th June 2026 (submitted applicants only)
Round 2 Application (if needed)	September/October 2026 (40 days)
Round 2 Correction Window	4 days after Round 2 closes
Waitlist Valid Until	31st March 2027

Key Conditions & Rules You Must Know

USA applicants must obtain J-1 Visa only. F-1 Visa holders are not eligible.
You cannot change your university or institution after selection.
You must execute a bond (on non-judicial stamp paper) with two sureties before departure.
You must return to India within 30 days of completing your course.
Awardees must stay in India for at least one year after returning and explore opportunities in Government Departments/Ministries.
Not more than two children from the same family are eligible for the award.
The scholarship can only be awarded once in a lifetime.
Employed candidates must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer.
Furnishing false information will result in debarment, blacklisting, and recovery of funds with 15% compound interest.
Default on scholarship obligations attracts 12% annual interest, rising to 14.5% if unpaid after 6 months.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I apply for a Bachelor’s degree under NOS?

No. Bachelor’s level courses are not covered under this scheme. Only Master’s degree and Ph.D. programmes abroad are eligible.

Q2. Can I apply if I am already studying abroad?

No. Candidates already studying or who have studied abroad using any government, state, or private scholarship, or their own funds, are not eligible.

Q3. What if my university gives CGPA and not percentage?

You must submit the university-authenticated CGPA-to-percentage conversion formula along with your application. Without this, your application will be rejected.

Q4. Can I change my university after being selected?

No. Requests to change institutions are not entertained. If you want to study at a different university, you must apply fresh in the next available round.

Q5. What is the income limit and who counts as family?

Family income must not exceed Rs. 8 lakh per year from all sources. Family includes the applicant, parents, siblings under 18, spouse, and children under 18. For married women, the in-laws’ income is also counted.

Q6. How long does the scholarship last?

Up to 3 years for a Master’s degree and up to 4 years for a Ph.D. No financial extension is given if the candidate fails in any subject.

Q7. Is there a grievance process if I am not selected?

Yes. You can file a grievance within 30 calendar days from the publication of results on the portal. However, no new documents will be accepted during the grievance period.

Q8. Can I apply if I am employed?

Yes, but you must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your employer. Study leave and salary matters will be handled directly between you and your employer — the Ministry will not intervene.

Pro Tips: How to Strengthen Your NOS Application

Apply to a top-ranked QS university: Higher QS rank means a better position in the merit list. Focus on getting admission in top 100-200 ranked universities for the best chance.
Collect all marksheets early: Missing even one semester’s marksheet causes rejection. Start collecting well before the portal opens.
Get your income certificate from Tehsildar or higher: Certificates from lower-ranked officials may be rejected.
Apply early: Don’t wait until the last day. Technical issues near the deadline can cost you.
Check your offer letter carefully: It must be ‘unconditional’. However, financial conditions (like fee deposit) are acceptable.
Keep scanned copies ready: All PDFs under 3 MB; photo and signature in JPEG under 100 KB.

Contact & Official Resources

Official Portal: https://nosmsje.gov.in

Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

QS Rankings Link: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2026

For any queries, visit the official portal. All important notices, updates, result announcements, and corrections are published only on the official NOS portal.

This post is based on official scheme documents from the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. All information is verified and authentic. For the latest updates, always check https://nosmsje.gov.in