Government of India
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Scholarship
Following target groups are eligible to apply under the Scheme:
- Scheduled Castes
- Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
- Traditional Artisans
- Landless Agricultural Labourers
What is the eligibility criterion?
(i) Age below 35 as on 1st April of every Selection Year.
(ii) Family Income less than Rs. 8,00,000/- (Rs. Eight lakh per annum).
(iii) Applicant must have an unconditional offer of admission to top 500 ranked foreign Institutes/Universities as per the latest available QS World University Rankings. For details refer to scheme guidelines available on the Portal.
How many slots are available?
125 slots are available each selection year.
How many slots are earmarked for female candidates?
30% of the awards for each year are earmarked for female candidates.
Whether the Scholarship is available for Graduation Level Course.
No, under the Scheme Scholarship is provided for Master and Ph.D course.
What is the minimum Qualification Required?
Graduation for Masters and PG for Ph.D
What is the minimum percentage of marks required?
60% in qualifying degree.
How many awards are required for SC/ Denotified Tribes/ Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans.
Scheduled Castes – 115
Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes – 06
Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans – 04
Total – 125
What is the procedure for applying?
Applicant can apply on the online portal only. i.e. http://nosmsje.gov.in/
Can the applicant apply through offline?
No
What are the documents required for filling the forms?
Applicant can refer how to fill the form documents available on the portal. The documents required have been explained in detail along with other details for filling the form.
What is the duration of the Scholarship?
Maximum 3 years for Master. Maximum 4 years for Ph.D.
How much financial assistance is provided?
Under the scheme following assistance is provided:
1. Tuition Fees.
2. Maintenance allowance (US Dollars 15,400/- Annually except UK. Great Britain Pound 9,900/- Annually in UK)
3. Contingency allowance
4. Visa fees
5. Equipment allowance
6. Fees and medical insurance premium
7. Air Passage of economy class from authorized agents
8. Local Travel For details refer to scheme guidelines available on the Portal.
Within how much period a candidate can avail the award?
A selected candidate is required to avail the award within one year from the date of issuance of provisional letter from this Ministry regarding selection for the award/assurance. On expiry of this specified period of time, the award automatically gets cancelled.
How to seek admission abroad?
Selected candidates are required to themselves arrange for their admission in foreign accredited educational institutions/universities. To ensure that the students are selected and are afforded the best education; students under NOS are selected on the basis of unconditional offer of admission to top 500 QS ranked foreign Institutes/Universities.
What to do after getting admission?
After a candidate has obtained confirmed admission in a foreign educational institution and is provisionally selected under the NOS Scheme, the Admission letter is verified by the Ministry through the Indian Missions abroad, from the University/Institute. After receipt of the confirmation of the admission and other details, this Ministry processes the file and accordingly, a ‘confirmation award letter’ to the concerned candidate is issued, wherein the details of the course, educational institution etc. will be also mentioned.
How to get visa?
Consequent upon confirmed admission of a candidate for a specific course in an educational institution abroad, the concerned candidate may contact the respective embassy/consulate/mission of the foreign country in India. The candidates should, however, apply for only such type of visa which requires them to return to India after pursuing their course abroad. The Government of India does not render any assistance to a candidate for obtaining visa.
What are the formalities to be completed before proceeding for studies abroad?
The selected candidates are required to furnish all such legal documents and other agreements before their departure abroad, as decided by Government of India from time to time. The candidates on reaching abroad are also required to immediately contact the concerned Indian Mission abroad and execute such necessary legal documents and other agreements, as decided by the Mission. In case of employed candidates, they are also required to executive such bonds, agreements etc. as may be required by the employer.
What should be the format of the Income Certificate to be uploaded with the NOS application?
As per the NOS Scheme Guidelines, applicants are required to upload an Income Certificate as per the format annexed with the guidelines duly issued by a competent authority (such as District Magistrate / Tehsildar / Revenue Officer) certifying the gross annual family income (self, parents, siblings below 18 years; in for married female candidates: self, spouse, in-laws) for the relevant financial year. If the prescribed format of the Income Certificate is not available in the State / UT, the applicants may upload the Income Certificate issued by the competent authority in the format normally used in the State / UT. However, such a certificate must clearly mention the financial year to which the income pertains. If the standard format in the State/UT does not provide a provision to mention the relevant financial year, the certificate must be issued on a date that falls after the completion of the relevant financial year. Income Certificates that do not comply with these conditions will not be deemed valid for the purpose of determining eligibility under the NOS Scheme.
What is the requirement regarding the Course Commencement Date under the NOS Scheme?
As per the NOS Scheme Guidelines, the course commencement (intake) at the foreign university must be after the opening date of NOS portal for receiving applications. Applications where the course commencement date falls before the opening of portal, will be treated as ineligible. Candidates are therefore advised to ensure that their admission / offer letters reflect a commencement date that is in conformity with the prescribed timeline.
What does the 10% cap on slots under Clause 2 (b) of the NOS Guidelines mean?
As per Clause 2 (b) of the NOS Scheme Guidelines, a total of 125 fresh awards are given each Selection Year, subject to availability of funds. While allotting these slots, there is a cap of 10% of the total slots for each State / UT across all eligible categories (Scheduled Castes, Denotified, Nomadic and SemiNomadic Tribes and Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans).
When will I start receiving financial assistance under the NOS Scheme?
Financial assistance under the NOS Scheme will be released only after issuance of the Final Award Letter by the Ministry. The assistance is processed once the applicant submits his / her joining report to the concerned Indian Embassy / High Commission, which in turn confirms the same to the Ministry. Candidates are therefore advised to make necessary arrangements for travel and initial settlement expenses, as no advance grant is provided before joining.
When is the Income Tax Return (ITR) Acknowledgment required under the NOS Scheme?
As per the NOS Scheme Guidelines, gross annual family income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum in the preceding financial year. If the gross annual family income for relevant Financial Year is more than Rs. 2.5 lakh (Old Tax Regime) or Rs. 3.0 lakh (New Tax Regime), the applicant must upload the ITR Acknowledgment at the time of applying on the portal. Before issuance of the Final Award Letter, the student will also be required to submit the complete ITR (s) along with the Centralized Processing Centre (CPC) intimation order under Section 143 (1) issued by the Income Tax Department in respect of self and other family members.