National Overseas Scholarships for Scheduled Tribe candidates from 2017-18 To 2019-20

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

THE SCHEME OF NATIONAL OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCHEDULED TRIBE CANDIDATES FROM 2017-18 TO 2019-20

OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME
The scheme provides financial assistance to students selected for pursuing higher studies abroad in certain subjects at the Masters level, and for Ph, D and Post- Doctoral research programmes. Bachelor level courses in any discipline are not covered under the scheme. 20 awards per year would be sanctioned to ST students as under:

If for any specific year, successful candidates are not available to the extent prescribed for either of the above listed categories, the awards for that year would be inter-changeable vice-versa between the above categories. Six awards (30%) are earmarked for girls. However, in case the earmarked slots remain un-filled, these slots may be transferred to boys. Priority will be given to candidates who have already secured preliminary letter/offer of admission; second priority will be given to those who cleared GRE/GMAT/TOFEL etc. and have started applying to various universities and thereafter other candidates.

The jurisdiction of the scheme extends only to providing prescribed financial support to the selected candidates for pursuing higher education in the specified subjects. The scheme does not cover any area related to employment opportunities of the awardee after his/her having availed of the award.

SUBJECTS COVERS UNDER THE SCHEME
The subjects/disciplines in which courses may be undertaken for grant of award are listed below:-

An illustrative list indicating the subjects under each field of study mentioned above which will qualify for consideration for award of scholarship is given at Annexure-I.

DURATION OF AWARD WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The prescribed financial assistance shall be provided till completion of the course/research or the following period, whichever is earlier:-

• Post-Doctoral Research -1 & 1/2 years (One and a half year)
• Ph.D. – 4 years (four years)
• Master’s Degree – 1/2/3 years (One/Two/Three years) depending upon the duration of the Course.

The extension of stay beyond prescribed period for levels of courses as mentioned above, may be considered without financial assistance of any kind except the air passage to return to India, if and only if recommendation of the competent concerned authority in the educational institution/ university as well as the Indian Mission abroad is received certifying that such an overstay for a specified period, is absolutely essential for facilitating the candidate to complete the course. The final decision in this regard will, however, rest with the Government of India alone.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Minimum Qualifications

(a) For Post-Doctoral: 55% marks or equivalent grade in relevant Master’s Degree and Ph.D.

Experience: 5 years – Research/Teaching/ Professional in the concerned field is desirable. Candidates with experience would be given preference.

(b) For Ph.D. : 55% marks or equivalent grade in relevant Master’s Degree.

Experience: 2 years’ – Teaching/ Research/ Professional / M. Phil Degree in the concerned field is desirable. Candidates with experience would be given preference.

(c) For Masters’ Degree: 55% marks or equivalent grade in relevant Bachelor’s Degree.

Experience: 2 years’ work experience in the concerned field is desirable. Candidates with experience would be given preference.

AGE
Below 35 years, as on first day of July of the relevant year of the award.

INCOME CEILING
Total family income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/her parents/guardians or spouse should not exceed Rs. 6.00 lakh 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. A copy of latest tax-assessment, be also enclosed with application.

VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP

Annual Maintenance Allowance: The Annual maintenance allowance in US will be US Dollars 15,400 ($ Fifteen thousand four hundred only) for all level of courses covered under the Scheme. The annual maintenance allowance for candidates in United Kingdom will be Pound sterling 9,900 (£ Nine thousand nine hundred only) for all levels of courses covered under the scheme. For other countries, US Dollar or equivalent rates would be applicable.

Annual Contingency and Equipment Allowance: The 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.

Poll Tax: Actual shall be paid, wherever applicable.

Visa Fees: Actual visa fees in Indian Rupees will be paid.

Incidental Journey Expenses: Incidental journey expenses up to US Dollars 18.70 or its equivalent in Indian Rupees are permissible.

Fees: Tuition fees as per actual will be admissible.

Medical Insurance Premium: Actual as charged will be admissible.

Cost of Air Passage: Air 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 in arrangements with the national carrier, shall be provided.

Local Travel: Second or Coach class railway fare from the port of disembarkation to the place of study and back and in case of far flung places not connected by rail, bus fare(s) 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 and/or II class railway fare by the shortest route to the port of embarkation and back will be permissible.

All the awardees already undergoing studies abroad would also be eligible to receive the revised rates as approved in the scheme and its modified form with prospective effect.

The mode of disbursement of above listed financial assistance will be decided by Government of India and Indian Missions abroad.

TRAINING FOR SELECTED CANDIDATES
The finally selected candidates will be supported for getting Coaching for TOEFL/GRE/GMAT.

Fore more details, download the notification in PDF:
[gview file=”https://tribal.nic.in/NOS/WEBDOCS/RevisedGuidelinesNOSST1718.pdf” save=”1″]