Lok Sabha Question No. 4352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: National Overseas Scholarship for SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4352 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.08.2025

## NATIONAL OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIP FOR SCs

## 4352. SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO:

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

- (a) the details regarding the total number of applicants who have been awarded and enrolled in the National Oversees Scholarship (NOS) scheme during the last five years, year, State and district-wise, including Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the details regarding total funds allocated, released and disbursed under the NOS scheme during the last five years, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh;
- (c) the details regarding the number of award letters issued each year and the total funds released;
- (d) whether the Government is collecting data regarding the average time taken to disburse funds to the scholars;
- (e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to enhance awareness of the NOS scheme among Scheduled Caste, Denotified Tribe and other eligible communities in the country, State and district-wise; and
- (g) the measures and grievance redressal mechanisms in place to ensure timely processing of award letters, release of funds and travel support to the selected scholars?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Details regarding total number of applicants who have been awarded (selected) and enrolled (availed benefit) under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme during the last 5 years, State/Union Territory-wise is at Annexure I. However, district-wise data is not maintained.
- (b): NOS Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme. Under the Scheme, State/ Union Territory-wise funds are not allocated. Details regarding total funds allocated, released and number of beneficiaries under the NOS Scheme during the last five years is at Annexure-II.
- (c): Details regarding the number of award letters issued each year and the total funds released is at Annexure-III.

(d) & (e): Under the Scheme, funds are released to respective Indian Missions abroad through Letters of Authorization (LoA) as per the requisitions. Indian Missions abroad provide funds to the Students/Universities/ Institutes as per the Scheme guidelines.

(f): To raise awareness about the NOS Scheme among students, advertisements are published in newspapers, and letters are sent to the Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of Social Welfare Departments of State Governments and Union Territories to ensure widespread publicity of the Scheme.

(g): After issuance of provisional award letters, the respective Embassies are approached to send Embassy Verification Report (EVR) immediately for processing the case. In parallel, letters are sent to concerned District Collectors and Revenue Officers for verification of documents. Also, Officers from the Department are deputed for spot verification of documents. For travel support, to and fro airfare by shortest route in economy class and local journey fare is reimbursed on actual basis.

## ANNEXURE-II

## Annexure referred to part (b) of reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.4352 to be answered on 19.8.2025.

Funds allocated under the Scheme:

| Year    | Funds allocated (Rupees in crore)   |
|---------|-------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 | 30                                  |
| 2021-22 | 35                                  |
| 2022-23 |                                     |
| 2023-24 | 85                                  |
| 2024-25 | 95                                  |

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## Annexure referred to part (c) of reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.4352 to be answered on 19.8.2025.

Details regarding the number of award letters issued each year and the total funds released:

| S.NO   | Year    |   Number of provisional award letters issued |   Number of final award letters issued | No. of beneficiaries (Gone abroad)   |
|--------|---------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 1      | 2020-21 |                                          100 |                                     71 | 71                                   |
| 2      | 2021-22 |                                          125 |                                    100 | 98                                   |
| 3      | 2022-23 |                                          125 |                                    101 | 98                                   |
| 4      | 2023-24 |                                          125 |                                    116 | 114                                  |
| 5      | 2024-25 |                                          125 |                                     81 | 79                                   |
| 6      | 2025-26 |                                          125 |                                      4 |                                      |
|        | Total   |                                          725 |                                    473 | 460                                  |

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