National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for ST Students 2025-26

• Bachelor level courses in any discipline are not covered under the scheme.
• Financial assistance will be provided after the completion of the course/research or the following period, whichever is earlier: 
  • Post-doctoral research - Two years
  • PhD degree - 4 years 
  • Master's degree - 1/2 years depending upon the duration of the course
• If there is a shortage of successful candidates in a specific year for either of the specified categories, the awards for that year can be interchanged between these categories.
• A total of six awards (30%) are earmarked for girls. However, in case the earmarked slots remain unfilled, they will be transferred to boys.
• Expenses and logistics covered by the award will be strictly limited to the candidate.
• Priority will be given to candidates who have already secured a preliminary letter/offer of admission. The second priority will be given to those who cleared GRE/GMAT/TOFEL etc. and have started applying to various universities and thereafter other candidates.
• The jurisdiction of the scheme is extended to provide mentioned financial assistance only to the selected candidates for pursuing higher education in specified subjects. The scheme does not cover any area related to the employment opportunities of the awardee after receiving the award.
• Candidates who are in employment can directly apply through the ministry's online portal. However, the application of such candidates will be treated as valid only if a recommendation along with a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the employer is submitted to the ministry within 15 days from the last date for applying online as specified in the advertisement of the scheme.
• The finally selected candidates shall obtain admission and join an accredited university/institution abroad within two years from the date of communication of selection. On the expiry of this specified period, the award will be cancelled automatically and come to an end. No request for an extension of time for availing of the award is permissible under the scheme. 
• The candidate cannot change the course of study/research for which the scholarship has been sanctioned except with prior written approval of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• All administrative matters such as study leave, salary etc. will be paid by the candidates directly to their employer as per the rules of the serving organization. This ministry will not take any responsibility or provide assistance in this regard.
• If the awardee is unable to successfully complete the course or if the Guide/Head of the Department of the candidate certifies that the candidate is not paying attention, then the Ministry shall have the right to exempt him/her from the penalty clause of “Defaulter under the Scheme”. In such cases, the Indian Missions will provide the return air passage to India by the shortest route and in economy class.
• The opening and closing dates of the portal will be announced through advertisements in Employment News, news dailies, institutes/universities, state governments, and the Ministry's portal.
• Aadhaar is mandatory for registration on the portal.
• Candidates must meet all eligibility criteria when applying for the scholarship. Failure to fulfil eligibility requirements or provide mandatory documents to prove eligibility will result in the application being rejected.
• The provisions of this Scheme can be changed at any time with the approval of the Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
• Litigation in India will be under the jurisdiction of the Delhi courts, while litigation abroad will be handled by Indian Missions.

Note:- For more details, kindly refer to the 'Scholarship Guidelines'.