National Overseas Scholarship Program
By EXAM JOB EXPERT Published: Wednesday, August 21, 2024, 11:34 [IST]
The National Overseas Scholarship Program is a government initiative aimed at providing financial support to economically disadvantaged students from specific social groups, including Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. This scholarship is designed to help these students pursue advanced degrees, such as Master’s or Ph.D. programs, at prestigious international universities.
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Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must have secured admission to one of the top 500 ranked international universities, as per the QS World University Rankings for 2023. Additionally, they should have attained at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in their last qualifying examination. For those applying for a Ph.D., this would be their Master’s Degree, while for a Master’s program, it would be their Bachelor’s Degree.
Applicants must be under the age of 35 as of April 1st of the selection year. The total family income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 8.00 lakh per year in the preceding financial year.
Important Dates
The online application process for the National Overseas Scholarship will commence on February 15, 2024, and will remain open for 45 days, closing on March 31, 2024, at midnight. Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through the official portal within this period.
Selection Process
Eligibility for consideration under this program requires candidates to have provided their Aadhaar card details and secured a confirmed offer of admission from a foreign university listed among the top 500 in the latest QS rankings for the academic session beginning in 2023-24. The selection process involves creating a merit list based on the rankings of the foreign universities where the candidates have been accepted.
Financial Assistance
The National Overseas Scholarship provides comprehensive financial support to selected students, enabling them to pursue their studies at recognized institutions abroad. Each year, approximately 125 new scholarships are awarded, subject to fund availability. Notably, 30% of these scholarships are reserved for female candidates.Duration of
Award
The scholarship covers the duration of the approved course or research program, up to a maximum of four years for Ph.D. programs and three years for Master’s Degree programs. The scholarship offers different types of financial assistance depending on the location of study. For those studying in the USA and other countries (excluding the UK), the annual maintenance allowance is set at 15,400 US Dollars, while in the United Kingdom (UK), it is 9,900 Great Britain Pounds. Additionally, a contingency allowance of 1,500 US Dollars is provided for students in the USA and other countries, whereas students in the UK receive 1,100 Great Britain Pounds. Tuition fees are covered in full for both locations, as they are paid as charged by the institution. Lastly, visa fees are reimbursed based on the actual costs incurred in Indian Rupees for both the USA and UK.
This scholarship program offers a transformative opportunity for students from underprivileged backgrounds, enabling them to access higher education at some of the world’s leading universities and achieve their academic and career aspirations without financial barriers.
