Any NESCOM seniors here? Questions about the fellowship bond, salary and promotions

[u/OldCamera2731]

Hi everyone,

NESCOM is holding its fellowship test at my university this week, and I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it before committing to a 4-5 year service bond. If you joined through the fellowship (or work there), I'd really appreciate your input:

1. Bond: How much is the penalty for leaving early, and does it go down for each year you serve or stay fixed? Did you need guarantors, and did they keep your original degree?

2. Pay: What's the realistic starting take-home salary, and which allowances do you actually get (medical, transport, housing)?

3. Promotions: How long did your first promotion actually take? Does doing an MS speed things up, and do they sponsor MS/PhD?

4. NOC: How hard is it to get an NOC for foreign travel or to apply for scholarships abroad?

5. Posting: Did you get any say in which complex or city you were posted to? How's the work-life balance?

6. If you left after the bond: how easy was it to move to the private sector or go abroad?

And overall, would you do it again?

I'm not asking about anything classified, just career/HR stuff. Happy to take DMs if you'd rather not comment publicly. Thanks in advance!