Lok Sabha Question No. 3367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-21
Subject: Implementation of NOS Scheme
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3367 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2023

## IMPLEMENTATION OF NOS SCHEME

3367. ADV. AM ARIFF:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- a) whether the Government has reviewed the progress of National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme and if the details thereof; SO,
2. (b) the funds earmarked, number of beneficiaries and funds disbursed under NOS Scheme since Financial Year 2018-19 till date, State/UT-wise;
3. (c) whether NOS scheme is not benefiting the eligible students due to inordinate delays in the disbursement of scholarship amounts and if the action taken thereon; and SO,
- d) intends to widen the ambit of the scheme to include more beneficiaries, if so, the details thereof and if not; the reasons there for?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)

(a): The Ministry  of Social Justice & Empowerment  implements two National   Overseas Scholarship (NOS) schemes. One is   implemented by the  Department of Social  Justice Empowerment   for  students  from  Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans  The other is implemented by Department of  Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities   (DoEPwD) for students with disabilities. Both the Departments review their schemes from time to time and make changes for the betterment of the scheme.

DoEPwD reviewed its NOS scheme guidelines before continuation from 2021-22 onward for

Similarly, DoSJE has also revised the scheme to   improve the processes for increasing transparency, simplifying the application process, minimising the time gap between applications and approval, and ensuring the quality of institutions

(b): Both the National Overseas Scholarship schemes of both the departments are central sector schemes and, therefore, there is no State-wise  distribution of funds and beneficiaries under them.  However, the funds earmarked, number of beneficiaries and funds disbursed under the NOS schemes since Financial Year 2018-19 till date is tabulated as below:

(Rs In Crore)

| Year                      | DoSJE   | DoSJE                            | DoSJE           | DoEPwD   | DoEPwD                  | DoEPwD          |
|---------------------------|---------|----------------------------------|-----------------|----------|-------------------------|-----------------|
| Year                      | BE      | Number of Beneficiaries selected | Funds Disbursed | BE*      | Number of Beneficiaries | Funds Disbursed |
| 2018-19                   | 15.00   | 100                              | 5.97            | 75.66    | 5                       | 1.08            |
| 2019-20                   | 20.00   | 100                              | 28.56           | 125.00   | 6                       | 1.02            |
| 2020-21                   | 20.00   | 100                              | 32.92           | 125.00   | 7                       | 1,.23           |
| 2021-22                   | 30.00   | 125                              | 49.07           | 125.00   | 9                       |                 |
| 2022-23 (Till 15.03.2023) | 36.00   | 125                              | 75.44           | 105.00   | 13                      | 2.81            |

Budget  allocation of the umbrella scholarship scheme, which includes NOS aS One of the

(c): The schemes have been running successfully for past many There has been no delay in the disbursement of funds under the NOS scheme by both the Departments. In fact the expenditure incurred under the NOS scheme has increased appreciably over the years as may be seen from the table above. years:

(d): The initiatives taken to widen the ambit of the scheme to include more beneficiaries by both the Departments are attached at Annexure-I:

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answer on 21/03/2023 regarding Implementation of NOS Scheme

Initiatives taken by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) for widening the ambit of the scheme and including more beneficiaries are as under:

- a The income ceiling has been increased from Rs.6 lakhlannum to Rs. 8 lakh per annum w.e.f 2020-21 so that more number of students can be eligible for benefit under NOS Scheme.
- From the year 2021-22 onwards, the slots awarded under the scheme each year have been increased from 100 to 125.
- C. The process of application has been made simpler by making it online W.e.f2019-20 and reducing the documentation required.
- e The scheme is advertised in the newspaperslother media and Department's website for wide dissemination and awareness about the NOS scheme.
- d. Field wise distribution of seats has been done away with from 2020-21.

(ii) Initiatives taken by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPwD) are aS under:-

- a. Yearly income ceiling has been increased from Rs. 6 lakh to & lakh;
2. The condition of 'furnishing solvency certificate for the actual amount of scholarship was reduced to Rs. 50,000/-;
- C. The provision for character verification from District authorities has been replaced with self-certification from the candidate;
- d. Candidate is now eligible for scholarship under NOS scheme to pursue the same level course (Masters/Ph D.) abroad in which helshe   already   acquired the qualification; provided it should be in a stream different from the one in which helshe already acquired the qualification:
- e. Advertisements are published from time to time in national and regional newspapers and Department's   website   for dissemination of information and awareness about the NOS scheme.

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