The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (NOSS) has recently garnered attention as several Indian students studying abroad, courtesy of the scheme, have expressed their gratitude towards the Indian Government for the programme. This scholarship scheme, championed by the central government, offers an opportunity to students hailing from low-income backgrounds to attain higher education in foreign institutions.
About the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme designed to facilitate the academic aspirations of low-income students. The beneficiaries primarily include those from Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans categories. The main objective of this scheme is to bolster their prospects of obtaining higher education by studying abroad.
The Scheme provides financial aid to the selected candidates for pursuing Master’s degree courses and Ph.D. courses abroad. These courses can be pursued at any accredited institution or university in any field of study. The country hosting the said institution or university should recognize its accreditation status.
Each selection year, under optimal conditions of fund availability, the scheme sanctions 125 fresh awards. The scholarships are not confined to a particular field of study, offering a wide range for the students to choose from according to their interests and career aspirations.
The Implementing Agency
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, serves as the implementing agency for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. This department oversees the operation of the scheme, ensuring that it is successfully serving its designated purpose.
Reservation Details
In a move to promote the participation of women in higher education, the scheme reserves 30% of the awards for each year for women candidates. This provision is aimed to encourage and provide equal academic opportunities to women from the specified social categories.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, candidates must have scored at least 60% of marks or hold an equivalent grade in the qualifying examination. This benchmark ensures that the benefit of the scheme reaches deserving students who show promise in their academic pursuits.
In summary, the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme serves as a potent tool in the hands of the Indian government to uplift and provide opportunities to academically inclined students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. By facilitating their study abroad, the scheme aids in equipping these students with global exposure and perspective, potentially leading them to contribute significantly to the nation’s growth in the future.
