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Education & Learning

National Overseas Scholarship For Scheduled Tribes (ST) Students

A scholarship scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for regular, full-time ST students to obtain higher education (post-graduate courses viz. Masters, Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Research) from foreign institutes/universities. The Scheme is implemented through the Indian Embassies.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Sl. No.Scholarship ComponentDetails1.Annual Maintenance AllowanceThe Annual maintenance allowance in USD15,400 ($ Fifteen thousand four hundred only) in US/ Pound sterling 9,900 (£ Nine thousand nine hundred only) in United Kingdom for all level courses. For other countries, the USD or equivalent rates would be applicable.2.Annual Contingency and Equipment AllowanceThe Annual Contingency and Equipment Allowance for books/essential apparatus/study tour/typing and binding of thesis etc. will be $ 1532 (US Dollars One thousand five hundred thirty-two only) for the candidates in US and for candidates in United Kingdom, it will be £ 1116 (Pounds sterling One thousand one hundred sixteen only). For other countries, US Dollar or equivalent rates would be applicable.3.Poll TaxActuals shall be paid, wherever applicable.4.Visa FeesActual visa fees in Indian Rupees will be paid.5.Incidental Journey ExpensesIncidental journey expenses up to US Dollars 20 or its equivalent in Indian Rupees are permissible.6.FeesTuition fees and other non-refundable fees which is required to be compulsorily paid by the student for completion of the course, as per actuals.7.Medical Insurance PremiumActuals as charged will be admissible. The Indian Embassy/Mission in the respective country will however examine the reasonableness of medical premium opted/claimed by the student.8.Cost of Air PassageAir passage grant on actual basis from India to the nearest place to the educational institution and back to India, by economy class and shortest route at best available price shall be provided.9.Local TravelSecond class railway fare from the port of disembarkation to the place of study and back; in case of far flung places not connected by rail, bus fare from the place of residence to the nearest railway station, actual charge of crossing by ferry, air fare to the nearest rail-cum-air Station will be permissible.Note: Extension of stay beyond prescribed duration for levels of courses as mentioned above, will be without financial assistance of any kind except the air passage to return to India, if the candidate decides to come back to India on completion of the course.

Who can apply

The applicant must be from a Scheduled Tribe (ST).; The applicant must be pursuing a post-graduate course (Master, Ph.D., or Post-Doctoral Research) from a foreign institute/university.; The annual income of the family of the applicant (from all sources) should not be greater than ₹ 6,00,000/-.; The applicant must have secured at least 55% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination (In the case of Post-Doctoral Research, the qualifying exam is Ph.D.; In the case of Ph.D., the qualifying exam is a Master’s Degree; In the case of a Master’s Degree, the qualifying exam is a Bachelor's Degree); The applicant must be the only child in the family who is availing/has availed of this scholarship.; If pursuing Post-Doctoral Research, the age of the applicant as on 1st July of the selection year, should not be greater than 38 years.; If pursuing Ph.D., the age of the applicant as on 1st July of the selection year, should not be greater than 35 years.; If pursuing Masters, the age of the applicant as on 1st July of the selection year, should not be greater than 32 years.; In case where both father and mother are working, the combined income of both of them from all sources shall be taken into account in computing total family income.; In case any other member of the family, other than father and mother, is an earning member, his or her income shall not be included in computing total family income.; In case only one parent is alive, the income of that parent shall be taken into account for considering total family income. If other sibling or family member is an earning member, their income shall not be included in computing total family income.; In case of an orphan, supported by a guardian, income criteria shall not apply.; All applications received within the stipulated period, will be scrutinized for the eligibility criteria.; Separate merit list will be drawn for each field of study.; The eligible applications will be considered for award of scholarship as per the procedure given below:

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Who can apply for National Overseas Scholarship Scheme?

This scheme is open for all ST students who are currently pursuing or wish to opt for higher studies abroad for Masters, PhD & Post-Doctoral research programme. The candidate should fulfill the criteria as per the scheme guidelines for National Overseas Scholarship Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The guidelines may be seen at https://overseas.tribal.gov.in/.

How many slots/awards available for National Overseas Scholarship?

There are 20slots/awardsavailable for National Overseas Scholarship | foreach year as follows: | Scheduled Tribes (ST): 17 | Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG): 03 | Total 20 | - Six awards earmarked for female beneficiaries. In case earmarked awards remain un-filled, these awards may be transferred to male beneficiaries. | - The Scheme doesn't provide any employment opportunities to the awardee after his/her completion of the course.

Is there any family income criteria required for availing the Scholarship?

The Total family's income from all sources of the candidate or his/her parents/guardians or spouse should not exceed Rs. 6,00,000/- per annum (excluding such allowances as are not treated as part of total income for the purpose of Income Tax) as certified by the employer. If the candidate is currently employed, a copy of latest tax assessment [ ITR, Form-16] be also enclosed in the application.

Can more than one child of the same Parent/Guardian avail Scholarship under the Scheme?

Not more than one child of the same parents/guardians will be eligible and to certify this a self-certification will be required from the candidate. An individual can be given the award only once and cannot be considered for the award for second or subsequent time.

Who can issue the income certificate?

The Income certificate should be issued by competent authority of State Government.

What is the time period within which candidate need to join the course after obtaining provisional award letter?

A selected candidate is required to join within 2 year of receipt of intimation from this Ministry regarding selection for the award/assurance. On expiry of this specified period of time, the award automatically gets cancelled.

Can aresearch scholar allowed to receive stipend from Research/teaching assistantship”?

The research scholar is permitted to supplement their prescribed allowances by Undertaking Research/Teaching Assistantship Up to US Dollar 2400 per annum and for research scholar in United Kingdom, Pound Sterling 1,560/-per annum. Where income earned is beyond these prescribed ceilings, the maintenance allowance under the scheme shall be correspondingly reduced by the Indian Mission Abroad. For other countries, US Dollar 2400 per annum or equivalent rates would be applicable.

If a student is unable to complete his /her course, what will happen in that case?

If a student defaults and does not complete the course, he/she is liable to refund entire scholarship amount received by him/her to the Ministry. The para X of the scheme guidelines "Default under the scheme" may be referred for details.

What should students do, in case they face any problem while filling the application form in Google Chrome?

If students face any problem while filling the application form in Google Chrome, they are advised to use internet explorer. In case any issue/error in internet explorer as well, they are advised to clear browser history /cache and try again.

What should be the Type and size of the documents and profile photo to be uploaded?

All documents should be uploaded in pdf file and the Profile Photo should be in .jpg/.jpeg format(Size: - 50 KB-100KB).

Which fields in the application form are mandatory?

Fields provided with black asterisk(*) mark are mandatory fields.

Do I have to fill up the online application in one sitting?

No, you can fill up the online application in many sittings by clicking 'Save Draft' button, until you are satisfied that you have entered all desirable fields correctly. The software provides auto save facility to save your application at every stage until you click on 'Submit' button finally.

Can I change my mobile number and email id after submission of application form?

No, you cannot change your mobile number and email id after submitting | the applicationform. You need to maintain the same mobile number and email-id throughout the selection process. However, in case your contact detail changes due to some unavoidable reasons, the same may be communicated through online query at https://tribal.nic.in/Grievance/ with the Ministry at the earliest.