Are you thinking/planning to move abroad after completing your 12th or graduation and searching for a financial way to help you to achieve your dreams? Well, you landed on the right blog.
We all can agree that the major problem of Indian students achieving their dream of studying abroad is the high cost of international education. But, there is good news after all, the Indian government offers several scholarships, to study abroad, to help deserving students pursue their dream of international education without financial stress (well, minimal financial stress).
Whether you are planning to study in Canada, Australia, UK or any other country, there are multiple Indian government scholarships for studying abroad that can help you cover tuition fees, some of the living expenses, and even travel costs.
In this blog, we’ll be covering some of the top Indian government scholarships, their eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Top Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad
Let’s get to the main reason as to why you landed on this blog. Below are some of the government scholarships listed for Indian students to study abroad.
1. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
- This scholarship is for students from SC, ST, landless agricultural laborers, and minority communities.
- It covers tuition fees, visa fees, travel expenses, and living allowance.
- If you are planning to study Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral education.
- This scholarship is eligible for countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, and more.
- How you can Apply: Through the official National Overseas Scholarship Portal.
NOS scholarship focuses on promoting social equity by supporting Indian students from the mentioned category groups.
2. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship
- This scholarship is for Indian citizens applying abroad under exchange programs.
- It covers tuition fees, accommodation, and monthly stipend.
- If you are planning to study undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses.
- How you can Apply: Through the official ICCR website.
ICCR scholarship primarily focuses on supporting foreign students studying in India but it also facilitates exchange scholarships for Indians in partner countries.
3. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
- This scholarship is for Indian students seeking PG (postgraduate) degrees in the US.
- It covers full tuition fees, living expenses, and travel accommodation.
- If you are planning to study in fields like public administration, international affairs, women’s studies, public health, and more.
- How you can Apply: Through the official USEFI India website.
It’s one of the most prestigious Indian government scholarships to study abroad, promoting cultural exchange between India and the U.S.
4. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP)
- This scholarship is for Indian students applying for master’s or PhD programs in the UK.
- It covers full tuition fees, airfare, and living allowance.
- This scholarship is administered by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Commonwealth Commission.
- How you can Apply: Through the official Ministry of Education website.
The CSFP is one of the oldest and most respected international scholarship programs.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree (EMJMD)
- This scholarship is for students pursuing master’s programs in multiple European universities.
- It covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- How you can Apply: Through the official Erasmus Mundus website.
Indian students often receive high preference for EMJMD scholarships due to their strong academic backgrounds.
6. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship (University of Oxford, UK)
- This scholarship is for Indian scholars in history, economics, or political science.
- It covers full maintenance allowance, travel, and other benefits.
- The eligibility criteria for this scholarship is a minimum 60% in post graduation and age below 30 years.
- How you can Apply: Through the official Ministry of Education website.
This is a highly selective fellowship focused on academic excellence and leadership potential.
7. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans
- This scholarship is for economically weaker students belonging to OBCs and EBCs.
- How you can Apply: Through the official Ministry of Social Justice website.
This scheme makes overseas education loans more affordable.
8. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- This scholarship is for Indian students seeking master’s degrees in top global institutions.
- It covers up to USD 100,000 for tuition and living expenses.
- If you are planning to study in fields like arts, architecture, design, law, business, and more.
- How you can Apply: Through the official Inlaks Foundation website.
Though partially private, it is recognized under Indian government scholarships for studying abroad collaborations.
9. Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund Scholarship
- This scholarship is for postgraduate and doctoral students in India and abroad.
- It covers tuition assistance and contingency funds.
- The eligibility criteria for this scholarship is that you must be an Indian citizen and have high academic merit.
- How you can Apply: Through the official JNMF website.
This scholarship honors the legacy of India’s first Prime Minister and supports global education initiatives.
Eligibility Criteria for Indian Government Scholarships
Now that you are aware of some of the Indian government scholarships to study abroad, we’ll get into the details of eligibility criteria for them. While each scholarship has different eligibility criteria, I’ll list the common criteria which applies to most all of them:
- Indian citizenship (you must be an Indian citizen)
- Good academic record (mostly 60% or above but some scholarships have higher % requirement)
- You must have an admission offer from a foreign university or two
- Required English proficiency test score (IELTS/TOEFL), depending on the scholarships you are applying for
- Age limit (minimum will be 18 years and maximum will be 35 years) will be dependant on the course you are applying for
- Income requirement for need-based scholarships (some scholarship require to know the family income)
How to Apply for Government Scholarships to Study Abroad
Below are the common steps to apply successfully for a scholarship, while applying for them there might be an additional step or 2 as some scholarships require additional info:
- Research and Shortlist – Well, your first step should be researching and shortlisting the scholarships for which you can apply (review eligibility criteria carefully).
- Gather Necessary Documents – Must have documents will be identity proof, academic records, admission offer from the foreign university, SOP, passport, passport size photo, income certificate (if applicable).
- Submit Online Application – You must submit the application through the official website of that particular scholarship only, applying via third party resources will be at your own risk.
- Prepare for Interviews – There might be an interview (in person or virtual interview) depending on the scholarships you are applying for as some require the details to cross verify to avoid any misconception.
- Must Track Your Application – It is advised to check the status of your application regularly as it will be updated on the official website only.
10 Questions About Indian Government Scholarships People Ask
1. Can undergraduate students apply for Indian government scholarships abroad?
Yes. There are a lot of scholarships for UG students, but it is recommended to check the eligibility criteria beforehand.
2. Are these scholarships fully funded?
Well, no. You’ll find a very few which are fully funded, most of the scholarships offer partial funding (mainly support for tuition fees).
3. What is the age limit for most government scholarships?
The minimum age limit is 18 years and maximum is 35 years but that as well depends on the course you are applying for (UG, PG, doctorate).
4. Can I apply without an admission offer?
Mostly no. Almost every scholarship requires a confirmed admission offer from a foreign university.
5. Do I need IELTS/TOEFL scores?
Yes, it is a requirement for English-speaking countries.
6. How often can I apply for these scholarships?
Annually. If you get rejected this year, you can reapply next year but a few of the scholarships have a limitation of application submission.
7. Are these scholarships taxable?
No, the scholarship amount is exempted from the tax in India.
8. Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Yes, but you might not avail more than one, if you get approved for more than one.
9. Are there scholarships for research or PhD programs abroad?
Yes, there are a lot of scholarships that support doctoral research or PhD courses like Fulbright-Nehru and DAAD.
10. Do Indian government scholarships cover dependents?
No, most scholarships cover only the student’s expenses (that too tuition fees and living accommodations). If someone is getting along with you it should be at their expense.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. It should not be treated as professional advice. Please verify independently before making any decision.
