Lok Sabha Question No. 3761 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-12
Subject: National Overseas Scholarships
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

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

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3761 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025

## NATIONAL OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS

## 3761. DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED:

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

- (a) whether it is true that provisional scholarships have been granted to only 40 out of the 106 candidates selected under the National Overseas Scholarship scheme for the year 2025-26;
- (b) the details of the scholarships awarded under this scheme each year and the total amount provided per scholar, including tuition, living expenses, and other allowances;
- (c) the reasons for the shortage of funds, despite claims that the current financial year's budget allocation is the highest so far; and
- (d) the reasons for candidates, despite being fully qualified and officially selected under the scheme, being denied the scholarship, particularly when they belong to historically disadvantaged and underprivileged communities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a): Provisional award letters have been issued to all the 106 candidates who have been selected in the first round of Selection Year 2025-26 under the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (NOS) for SCs etc.
- (b): Total slots as per scheme is 125 annually. Out of these slots, 115 are reserved for Scheduled Castes, 06 for De-notified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes and 04 for Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans candidates. The details of total amount provided to each scholar including tuition, living expenses, and other allowances is at Annexure.
- (c): There is no shortage of funds under the Scheme. The funds allocated under Budget Estimate (B.E.) for 2025-26 is Rs.130 crore which is highest so far.
- (d): Provisional award letters have been issued to all the 106 candidates who have been selected in the first round of Selection Year 2025-26 under the NOS Scheme.

## Annexure referred to part (b) of reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3761 to be answered on 12.8.2025.

|    | SI.No. Type of Assistance    | United States of America (USA) United Kingdom & other Countries except U.K.            | (UK)                                                                                   |
|----|------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    | Annual Maintenance Allowance | 15400 US Dollar                                                                        | 9900 Great Britain Pound                                                               |
| 2. | Annual Contingency Allowance | 1500 US Dollar                                                                         | 1100 Great Britain Pound                                                               |
| 3. | Tuition Fees                 | Actual as charged                                                                      |                                                                                        |
| 4. | Visa Fees                    | Actual visa fee in Indian Rupees                                                       |                                                                                        |
| 5. | Medical Insurance Premium    | Actual as charged                                                                      |                                                                                        |
|    | Equipment Allowance          | Incidental Journey Allowance &20 US Dollar for each or its equivalent in Indian Rupees | Incidental Journey Allowance &20 US Dollar for each or its equivalent in Indian Rupees |
| 7. | Air Passage                  | To and fro air fare in economy class by shortest route.                                | To and fro air fare in economy class by shortest route.                                |

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