The Society of Indian Scholars (SOIS) is the principal student welfare organization for Indian students in Singapore. SOIS was established in 1999, and is registered with the Singapore Registrar of Societies.

The primary objective of SOIS is to provide a framework for students to interact with and to assist one another—virtually all Indian students at NUS are directly or indirectly linked to SOIS. On the whole, the society aims to reach out to Singaporeʼs diverse Indian community, both through direct association, and through sister organizations in Universities and Junior Colleges. The very breadth of SOIS provides excellent networking opportunities at NUS, and beyond. The societyʼs work has won the constant appreciation and endorsement of numerous illustrious institutions, notably, the Indian High Commission, Contact Singapore, the India Club, as well as the Ministries of Education and Manpower. SOIS maintains and promotes multifarious elements of Indian culture in Singapore. The society members today enjoy a host of functions, celebrations, and facilities throughout the year. Constitutive events of the SOIS calendar include religious celebrations like Diwali, Holi, and Pongal; cultural contests (“Tarang”) and displays (“Bhelpuri”); sports competitions such as ʻKreedaʼ; and miscellaneous functions like the screening of select cricket matches, to name but a few.

Perhaps one of the most crucial and demanding responsibilities of the society is the freshman orientation. Through several interactive and entertaining sessions (including various visits to different parts of Singapore), SOIS helps new students feel at home in a hitherto alien land. Additionally, the society assists with and simplifies the admissions procedure for prospective NUS students. These endeavors have been consistently supported and lauded by both the NUS management and the Studentsʼ Union. In fact, SOIS also represents Indian students in the International Relations Committee at NUS. In addition, SOIS retains close contact with former members and alumni. The alumni provide invaluable assistance to senior year students who are on the verge of graduation, especially in making tough choices concerning job aspirations. This ever-expanding network of SOIS members, past and present, is a critical link between the students and the Indian community in Singapore.

In recent years, SOISʼs role and membership has seen tremendous expansion—even beyond Singapore. The community has seen unprecedented success and support over the last few years, and has become a thoroughly efficient framework, managed by a cohesive and skilled executive committee.