**Summary of Scholarship Schemes for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Students**
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as announced by Union Minister of State Shri Durgadas Uikey, implements several scholarship programs designed to encourage and support secondary and higher education among the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in India.
**Available Scholarship Schemes:**
* **Pre-Matric Scholarship:** For students in Class IX and X.
* **Post Matric Scholarship:** For students in Class XI and above.
* **National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST):** Dedicated to Ph.D. scholars.
* **National Scholarship for Higher Education (Top Class):** For ST students in premier institutions.
* **National Overseas Scholarship (NOS):** Specifically for students pursuing education at international institutions.
**National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Details:**
The NOS scheme provides financial assistance for ST students to study abroad under the following criteria:
* **Annual Capacity:** 20 slots are available per year.
* **Income Eligibility:** Candidate’s annual family income must not exceed ₹6.00 lakh.
* **Institutional Ranking:** Admissible only for students securing admission in the top 1000 ranked universities according to the latest QS World University Rankings.
* **Age Limits:**
* **Master’s Degree:** Up to 32 years.
* **Ph.D.:** Up to 35 years.
* **Post-Doctoral Research:** Up to 38 years.
**Awareness and Implementation:**
The Ministry promotes these schemes through its official portal, newspaper advertisements, State/UT administrations, and various educational institutions and universities.
**Reference Information:**
* **Release ID:** 2248362
* **Date:** 02 APR 2026
* **Source:** PIB Delhi, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary central ministry responsible for implementing and managing scholarship schemes aimed at promoting education among the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population.
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for ST students: A financial assistance scheme providing 20 annual slots for ST students to pursue master's, Ph.D., or post-doctoral studies in top-ranked international universities.
Post Matric Scholarship for ST students: A scheme providing financial support to Scheduled Tribe students pursuing education from Class XI and above.
National Fellowship for ST students (NFST): A fellowship program specifically dedicated to supporting Scheduled Tribe scholars pursuing Ph.D. degrees.
National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class): A scholarship initiative focused on promoting higher education for ST students in premier institutions.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Scholarships for ST students
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 4:10PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey today informed in Lok Sabha that Ministry
of Tribal Affairs implements the following Scholarship Schemes to promote and encourage secondary and
higher education amongst ST population in the country: -
Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X)
Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above)
National Fellowship for ST students (NFST). (for Ph.D scholars)
National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for ST students
Out of the schemes mentioned above, the scheme of National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for ST students
is specifically for the students pursuing education abroad.
Under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) scheme, a total of 20 slots is available annually for
Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. The scheme is applicable to candidates whose annual family income does
not exceed ₹6.00 lakh. The age limit for applicants is prescribed as per the scheme guidelines (For Master
- 32 years, Ph.D - 35 years and for Post-Doctoral Research - 38 years). Furthermore, the scholarship is
admissible for studies taking admission in top 1000 ranked universities as per the latest QS World
University Rankings.
The Ministry is creating awareness about scholarship Schemes through publication in its official Portal,
advertisement in News Papers, through State/UT administration, Universities & Institutions.
***
RN/
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