This department reviews the NOS scheme guidelines from time to time and makes changes for simplifying the procedures and to make the process more transparent. Since there is greater demand for study in science and technology fields, in order to better utilise the resources, scholarships can be prioritized for those subjects in greater demand. It was felt that the fields of study where India has strength or where the field work is to be done in India can be left out of the list. Accordingly, topics/courses concerning Indian Culture, Heritage, History & Social studies on India will not be considered for award of scholarships from 2022-23 onwards, whereas other Humanities/Social Sciences subjects, such as Law, Economics, Psychology etc. which need international exposure are still available for funding. This change has provided more opportunities for the poor SC students to study in global best universities.

In light of the above, the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SCs etc. will continue to be implemented by the Department with guidelines as revised recently.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri A. Narayanaswamy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MG/RNM