Edvoy can only guide you with scholarships. The final decision rests with the university’s discretion. Also note that scholarships typically won't cover your living expenses.
Key takeaways
- International scholarships for Indian students are of different types, including merit-based, subject-specific, government-funded, and private scholarships.
- Countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Germany offer several scholarships to Indian students across multiple disciplines and study levels.
- The Indian government offers multiple scholarships, such as the National Overseas Scholarship, to support reserved and economically weaker students.
- Apply early for the scholarships and prepare the key documents such as academic records, income proof, standardised test scores, and recommendation letters.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, in 2025, more than 1.8 million Indian students are studying abroad, with the US, UK, and Canada emerging as the top destinations.
Along with the growing popularity of overseas education comes the concern about the rising cost of education. Many students are increasingly seeking good scholarships that can support their international education expenses.
Learn more about the scholarships abroad for Indian students! Talk to our experts!
You might be curious to know more about the international scholarships for Indian students. In this article, we’ll guide you through the details of the international scholarships for Indian students, the application process, and everything else you need to know. Keep reading!
Table of Contents
- Types of international scholarships for Indian students
- Major countries offering scholarships to Indian students
- Government scholarships for Indian students to study abroad
- Private and university-specific scholarships for Indian students
- Eligibility for international scholarships
- How to find and apply for International Scholarships
- Documents required for applying for the scholarships
- Tips to maximise your scholarship chances
- Best online platforms listing scholarships for Indian students
- Final thoughts
- Frequently asked questions
Types of international scholarships for Indian students
Understanding the categories of scholarships available for studying abroad can help you a lot in choosing the right scholarships suited to your needs. Here are the main categories you should be aware of:
Merit-based scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on your academic performance by considering the qualifying exam scores. The scholarship amount is usually provided to cover the tuition fees.
University scholarships
University scholarships are provided to students who are already enrolled in an academic institution. Once you’re enrolled, you become automatically eligible for university scholarships. These scholarships cover a portion of your tuition fee.
Subject-specific
Subject-specific scholarships are awarded for pursuing specific subjects. These are provided by college institutions and several private entities to encourage students from developing nations to further their higher education.
Government scholarships
Government scholarships are offered by the Indian government and various state governments to deserving students. These scholarships allow Indian students, especially those from the reserved category, to pursue their higher education abroad.
Private scholarships
Private scholarships are offered by private organisations or businesses to Indian students to support their higher education. The donors establish funds and award the scholarships based on several criteria, most of which are stringent.
Major countries offering scholarships to Indian students
Several countries offer scholarships to Indian students, supporting them to pursue their higher education abroad without financial burden. Here are the major countries that offer scholarships to Indian students, along with the scholarship programmes they offer.
| Country | Scholarships |
|---|---|
| United States | Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship, Tata Scholarship (Cornell), AAUW Fellowship |
| United Kingdom | Chevening Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship, Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, Felix Scholarship, Gates Cambridge |
| Canada | Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Ontario Trillium Scholarship, IDRC Awards |
| Australia | Australia Awards Scholarship, Destination Australia Program, Endeavour Scholarship |
| Germany | DAAD Scholarships (German Academic Exchange Service), Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree |
| France | Charpak Scholarships |
| Netherlands | Erasmus+ Scholarships |
| South Korea | Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) |
| Norway | Quota Scheme, University-specific scholarships |
| India | National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), JN Tata Endowment, Ambedkar Scholarship, Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation |
Note: These scholarships are available across multiple disciplines and study levels.
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Government scholarships for Indian students to study abroad
The Indian government offers several scholarships to support deserving students in pursuing their higher education abroad. Here are the popular scholarships provided by the Indian government.
| Scholarship | Target students | Purpose/Benefit | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Overseas Scholarship Scheme | SC, ST, OBC students | Monetary aid for postgraduate and doctoral studies overseas | Includes tuition, maintenance allowance, visa fees, etc. |
| Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) | Indian students | Scholarships for postgraduate programs in the UK | Offered by the Indian government, covers tuition and living expenses |
| UGC Scholarship for Students Studying Abroad | Indian students studying higher education abroad | Monetary aid for tuition fees and living expenses | Requires admission to a recognised foreign university |
| Ambedkar Foundation Scholarship Scheme | Indian students | Full monetary assistance for higher studies overseas | Complete financial support |
| Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarships | Undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students | Scholarships for studying abroad in various countries | Includes US, UK, and others |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Indian postgraduate students | Financial support for postgraduate studies overseas | Prestigious universities abroad |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme | Indian Master’s or PhD students | Scholarships for Master’s and PhD programs abroad | For select global institutions |
| Sushree Scholarship Program | Outstanding Indian applicants | Monetary aid for higher education overseas | Focus on merit-based assistance |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Outstanding Indian postgraduate students | Scholarships for prominent universities abroad | Supports eminent academic pursuits |
| Tata Scholarship for Cornell University | Indian undergraduate students | Monetary assistance for undergraduates at Cornell | Specific to Cornell University, USA |
| JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians | Indian postgraduate/PhD/postdoctoral students | Merit-based loan scholarship | Loan scholarships offering up to INR 10 lakhs |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships | Indian graduates with at least 3 years of professional experience, committed to returning to India | Covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and health insurance | Joint India-US program for outstanding Indians pursuing a Master’s in the U.S. |
Note: The scholarships vary in their eligibility criteria and scholarship amount. Check the specific scholarship for accurate details.
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Private and university-specific scholarships for Indian students
Several private foundations, universities, trusts, and non-governmental organisations provide scholarships to Indian students. Most of these scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded to top academic performers or for specific fields of study.
Here are the popular private and university-specific scholarships you can apply for to study abroad.
| Scholarship | Focus | Benefits | Eligibility | Application portal/sponsor link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship | Postgraduate & PhD | Tuition, living allowance, travel allowance | Indian citizens under 30, admitted to top global universities | inlaksfoundation.org/apply |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | Loan-based, all fields | Loan-based partial scholarship, travel grant | Indian citizen, confirmed admission abroad | jnltataendowment.org |
| Tata Scholarship at Cornell University | Undergraduate need-based aid | Full need-based aid for the duration of study | Indian citizen, admitted to Cornell University | cornell.edu (financial aid portal) |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Postgraduate, merit-based loan | Interest-free loan, no scholarship, but financial aid | Indian nationals under 30, admission to top universities | sekhsaria.org |
| AAUW International Fellowship | Graduate women studying in the USA | Tuition and living expenses | Women of any nationality, master’s or doctoral level | aauw.org/fellowships |
| Rhonda Stuart Scholarship (varies) | Various fields, specialisation-based | Tuition or living expense coverage | Depends on specific scholarship criteria | Varies by university/foundation |
| Oxford India Scholarship | Postgraduate at the University of Oxford | Partial to full funding | Indian graduates with an exceptional academic record | ox.ac.uk/scholarships |
| Australia Awards Scholarships | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Full tuition, living allowance, airfare | Indian citizens meeting the age and academic criteria | dfat.gov.au/australia-awards |
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Eligibility for international scholarships
Most scholarships consider your academic performance as a key criteria for awarding the scholarship. You must have a high GPA or high standardised test scores.
Some scholarship committees also check your need for financial assistance for awarding the scholarship. For such scholarships, you must produce proof of financial need and explain how you’ll benefit from the financial support.
Certain scholarship committees consider your extracurricular performance as a criterion for awarding the scholarship. Your involvement in arts, sport, and other programmes and any exceptional talent in specialised fields, are also considered.
How to find and apply for International Scholarships
Here are the steps to follow to apply for international scholarships.
- Research and identify the scholarships that meet your requirements. You can check various sources such as government programmes, university websites, private organisations, and online databases.
- Review the eligibility criteria and ensure that you meet the requirements, such as academic scores, age, course level, and financial need.
- Collect the required documents such as test scores, academic records, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.
- Visit the relevant official website and fill out the application form.
- Submit the application and follow up if required.
Documents required for applying for the scholarships
The common documents required for applying for the scholarships are listed below:
- Passport copy and identity proof
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of recommendation (LOR)
- CV/Resume
- Standardised test scores
Passport copy and identity proof
You must produce a copy of your valid passport and other identity documents. The first and last pages of the passport are usually required. For identity proof, you can use an Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving license, or any other government-issued ID card.
Academic transcripts
This includes the transcripts from the educational institution you graduated from. The transcript should have the official stamp of the institution.
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Prepare an SOP explaining the reason why you deserve the scholarship and how it can support your academic and career aspirations.
Letter of recommendation (LOR)
Collect a recommendation letter from your instructor or employer highlighting your academic achievements, potential for success, and suitability for the scholarship.
CV/Resume
Your CV should showcase your achievements and also highlight your strengths on why you are suitable for receiving the scholarship.
Standardised test scores
Your test scores, such as GRE, SAT, or ACT, are considered in deciding eligibility for the scholarship. You might also need scores of IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test or the Pearson Test of English.
Tips to maximise your scholarship chances
Apply for the scholarships that clearly match your profile. Ensure that you have everything ready, including the documents, well in advance, so that you can avoid last-minute stress. While writing the SOP of CV, make it compelling enough, highlighting your strengths and your suitability for the scholarship.
If there are any extracurricular achievements, highlight them as well-rounded individuals are usually valued by scholarship committees.
Before you apply, proofread the application and cross-check all the accompanying documents.
Note: In addition to the government or university scholarships, apply for private scholarships and other lesser-known scholarships.
Best online platforms listing scholarships for Indian students
Here’s a list of the best online platforms you can use to search for scholarships:
- National Scholarship Portal
- EducationUSA
- British Council Scholarships
- DAAD India
- Study in Canada
- HEST (Higher Education Scholarship Test)
Final thoughts
Indian students who wish to pursue their higher education abroad often find it challenging to meet the financial requirements. The tuition fee, cost of living, travel, and other expenses can add up significantly.
Most students seek financial support through scholarships so that they can cover a major portion of the expenses and focus on their studies. There are many scholarship options Indian students can explore, including government scholarships, private scholarships, and university scholarships.
When you apply for scholarships, ensure that you choose the scholarships that are suitable for your subject of study and financial need. Research and choose the right scholarships, and apply early!
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Frequently asked questions
How can I get a scholarship to study abroad from India?
There are many scholarships you can choose from, including government, private, and university-specific scholarships. Research the available scholarship options and understand the eligibility criteria. Prepare a strong application and apply on time.
Can I get a 100% scholarship to study abroad?
Several organisations offer fully funded scholarships for Indian students. These scholarships cover your tuition, living expenses, travel, and more. Some of the popular fully funded scholarships include the Fulbright Scholarship and the Inklas Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships.
Are there study abroad scholarships for Indian women/minority students?
Yes, there are scholarships offered by the Indian government and international organisations for Indian women/minority students. Some of these scholarships are the Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship and the Chief Minister's Overseas Scholarship for Minorities.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at once?
Yes, you can apply for more than one scholarship, provided you meet the eligibility criteria of each scholarship.
Is IELTS/TOEFL always required for scholarships abroad?
No, IELTS or TOEFL are not always required, as some institutions accept alternative tests such as the Duolingo English Test and the Pearson Test of English. Certain universities also offer exemptions if you have completed prior education in English.
