Photo: Tulane Public Relations, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Meritorious students from Scheduled Tribes (ST) who want to study at big universities abroad can apply for the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS-ST). It is a scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. A selected student gets full tuition fees abroad and a $15,400 yearly maintenance allowance. 20 students get this scholarship every year. With this scholarship, students can do a Master’s, PhD or post-doctoral research at reputed universities in America, Britain and other countries. The scheme has been running since 1954-55 and gives tribal students access to the world’s best education.
How much money is given
The NOS-ST pays the following amounts and benefits.
- Maintenance allowance: $15,400 a year — for the USA and other countries; £9,900 a year for the UK.
- Contingency: $1,532 a year — for the USA; £1,116 a year for the UK.
- Tuition fees: full fees — the actual fees charged by the university are paid.
- Air passage — economy class tickets to and from the university.
- Visa fees and medical insurance — paid by the Government.
- Number: 20 scholarships are given every year.
The scholarship is given for 1 to 2 years for a Master’s and up to 4 years for a PhD. The money is given to the student through the Indian Mission or Embassy.
Who can apply
This scholarship is for Scheduled Tribe students.
- The applicant must belong to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
- The family’s annual income must not exceed ₹6 lakh.
- Age not more than 32 years for a Master’s, 35 years for a PhD and 38 years for post-doctoral research (as on 1 July of the selection year).
- The applicant must hold an admission letter from a reputed foreign university.
- Bachelor’s level courses are not covered under this scholarship.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ overseas portal, overseas.tribal.gov.in. First register on the portal, then fill the application and upload the ST certificate, income certificate, academic certificates and the admission letter from the foreign university. Applications for the 2026-27 cycle were open from 15 May to 30 June 2026, and are now closed. Check the portal for the new notice for the next cycle dates. Never pay anyone for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under NOS-ST? A: Full tuition fees and a $15,400 yearly maintenance allowance (£9,900 for the UK), plus contingency, airfare, visa and insurance. Q2: How many scholarships are given every year? A: 20 scholarships are given every year. Q3: Who can apply? A: Scheduled Tribe students with family income up to ₹6 lakh a year; age up to 32 years for a Master’s, 35 for a PhD and 38 for post-doctoral research. Q4: Where do I apply? A: On the overseas.tribal.gov.in portal; the 2026-27 cycle closed on 30 June 2026.
Useful links
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs overseas portal: https://overseas.tribal.gov.in/
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs official website: https://tribal.nic.in/
- NOS-ST on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/css-nos-st
- Also see the National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-national-overseas-scholarship-sc-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
