National Overseas Scholarship for ST Candidates

National Overseas Scholarship for ST candidates is an initiative launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. It is an ST Scholarship to study abroad. This is a central scheme and was introduced in1954-55. Those students or professionals belonging to Schedule Tribe who scored 55% marks in their Bachelor's and Master's can apply for this National Overseas Scholarship for ST candidates to pursue Masters’/ Ph.D./Post-Doctoral Research in overseas institutes.

The candidates have to apply for admission in the institutions abroad themselves.

Eligible Courses for Scholarship

1. Engineering
2. Management
3. Economic / Finance
4. Applied Sciences
5. Pure Science
6. Medicine
7. Agriculture
8. Humanities
9. Social Science

Applications should reach the Ministry of Tribal Affairs office within 30 days from the date of publication of this advertisement in the Employment News. The advertisement was published in Employment newspaper on 11 November 2017.

Out of total 20 scholarships which are to be granted, 30% of the scholarships will be allotted to female applicants. The Scholarship will be granted in the following manner.

Return to India after the completion of course

• The Awardees are required to come back to India after finishing their course.
• Extension of stay: The stay can be extended for next two years by the consent of Indian Government, but no financial assistance will be provided to them for the extended period.
• The reasons for the stay will get recorded in writing by Indian Mission.

What is Passage Grant

Applications on plain paper in the prescribed format shall also be invited for the award of 4 passage grants in a year to Scheduled Tribes, which are open throughout the year. Only those ST candidates who are in receipt of a merit scholarship for Post Graduate Studies, Research or Training abroad (excluding attending seminars, workshops, conferences), from a foreign government/ organization or under any other scheme, where the cost of passage is not provided, shall be eligible to apply. Candidates can click on the following link to download the Passage Grant application form.

Click here to Download Passage Grant Application Form

Distribution of the Scholarship

Eligible fields of study and number of seats for National Overseas Scholarship are:

• After getting the scholarship, the scholars are liable to take admission in the concerned subject within 2 years, else the scholarship will be cancelled.

Duration of Scholarship

• For Post-Doctoral Research – 1 &1/2 years (One and a half year)
• For Ph.D. - 4 years
• For Master – 1/2/3 years.
• Amount of Scholarship will be provided on the basis of the country chosen for further studies.

Annual Maintenance Allowance

• For U.S.A and other countries
• Annual Maintenance Allowance: USD 15,400 will be offered as Annual maintenance allowance for all level of courses.
• Contingency Allowance: Allowance of 1532 USD for study tour/travel cost /books/essential apparatus / attending subject related conferences, workshops, typing and binding of thesis etc.
• For the United Kingdom
• Annual Maintenance Allowance: £ 9900 will be given Annual maintenance allowance.
• Contingency Allowance: Allowance for typing, workshops, books/essential apparatus /study tour/travel cost for attending subject related conferences and binding of thesis etc. will be £ 1116 GBP.

Research/Teaching Assistantship 

Applicants can increment their prescribed maintenance allowances up to 2400 USD or 1560 GBP by engaging in activities related to Research/Teaching Assistantship. The maintenance allowance under the scheme is liable to be reduced in case the income exceeds the given limits.

Additional Allowances and Benefits

• Fee: Actual amount of the tuition fee will be acceptable under the Scholarship.
• Incident Journey Allowance: USD 18.70 or its equivalent in Indian rupees will be Incident Journey allowance.
• Equipment Allowance: Equipment allowance of Rs.1320 per annum will be given.
• Poll Tax: Payment of Actual Poll Tax wherever applicable will be done.
• Visa Fee: The payment of Actual Visa Fees in Indian Rupees will be done.
• Medical Insurance: The payment of Fees and Medical Insurance Premium will be done.
• Air Fare: Economy class Air-fare for the return journey from India to the relevant destination will be paid.
• Local Travel Allowance: Local Travel allowance will be provided after considering the requirements and criteria.
• Domestic Travel for Interview: Second class/ordinary class bus fare from the city of residence to the city of the interview will be reimbursed.
• Training for selected candidates: Support will be given to the finally selected candidates for the coaching of TOEFL/GRE/GMAT.

The candidates have to fill the online application form to apply for this ST Scholarship. Candidates can visit the official website of Ministry of Tribal Affairs or click on the following link to fill the application form

Click here to Download Application Form

Submission of the Scholarship Application Form

The application form of National Overseas Scholarship has to be filled through online mode. Candidates also have to upload required documents in the application form. Candidates have to submit their online application form before the last date of submission i.e. 11 December 2017.

List of documents to be uploaded to the ST Scholarship Application Form

• Proof of Date of Birth.
• Mark sheet of Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates.
• As the scholarship is for only one child of the same parents, self-certification regarding the same will be required.
• Employed candidates need to submit a copy of latest tax assessment and latest monthly salary slip of the organization with which they are presently working.
• Offer letter from the institute in the case already obtained.

The Selection Committee formed by the Government of India will do the final selection of awardees.

Personal Interview: Those candidates who shortlisted by the Screening Committee will be required to present themselves for the personal interview at the front of the selection committee. The merit list prepared on the basis of assessment of individual candidates by the selection committee, will finally and decisively complete the selection procedure to decide the merit. Call letters to the eligible candidates will be posted on the Ministry's website for the interview.

 Preference will be given to 

• Preference will be given to student who has already taken admission in the foreign institute.
• If there is a tie between two or more students, senior aged candidate as per the DOB mentioned in the 10th or 12th certificate will get the preference.
• The candidates having work experience would be preferred over other inexperienced candidates.

Disbursement of Scholarship After Review

Before releasing scholarships to the candidates, the Indian Missions abroad shall see the performance/ behavior of the candidates and ensure that he/she is not involved in any unlawful activities and is clear from police record.

In case, Default Under the Scheme

In case a candidate pursuing studies abroad brokes any of the terms and conditions of the bonds executed by him/her and that the educational institution/ university intimates the Indian Mission abroad about his/her adverse reports on studies and/or conduct and/ or that the candidate leaves for any other country or absconds or joins any other university or course/programme or/ and returns to India in case of emergency without intimating the Indian Mission abroad, he/she shall be declared a defaulter and shall be liable to refund the entire amount spent on him/ her along with the interest at the rate of 12% per annum.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs,
Government of India [Education Section],
Room No. 412, B Wing, Shastri Bhawan,
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road,
New Delhi-110001

Website: https://www.tribal.nic.in