Studying from the world’s top universities is the dream of many Indian students, but the high cost of tuition fees, living expenses, and travel often becomes a major challenge.
To all those aspiring students who want to pursue their higher education abroad, Scholarship is the way out.
There are numerous scholarships available for Indian students at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels across countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
But, how to get started, what are the eligibility criteria, and how to apply? These are some of the questions that student’s are often puzzled about.
But rest assured, we have covered everything in this article.
What are Scholarships?
A Scholarship is a financial award, granted to a student to support their education or research in a university or a college.
A Scholarship opens doors of studying and research in the world class universities and Institutions across the globe.
The scholarships are based on certain criteria and students fulfiling the eligibility conditions are eligible for the scholarship.
Also Check – Top Countries with best education system in the world
Types of scholarships
The scholarships offered to the students, are classified under the below categories:
Merit-Based Scholarships
Awarded for academic excellence, test scores, or exceptional achievements.
Need-Based Scholarships
Designed for students from financially weaker backgrounds.
Government-Funded Scholarships
Offered by Indian or foreign governments (e.g., Fulbright, Chevening) to support education and research in top universities.
University Scholarships
Many universities offer tuition fee waivers, assistantships, or grants to support student’s higher education.
Private & NGO Scholarships
Funded by organizations, foundations, or corporations (e.g., Tata Trusts, Inlaks Foundation).
Subject-Specific Scholarships
Targeted at particular fields like STEM, Business, Arts, or Social Sciences.
The scholarship can be provided by an organization, government, educational board or any university etc. to promote education among the talented and gifted students.
Scholarships offered to the Indian students
Below are the list of scholarships that Indian students can apply for.
Government-Funded Scholarships
Government-Funded Scholarships are financial assistance programs provided by the Central and State Governments to help students pursue higher education in India or abroad
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
This Scholarship by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
to SC, ST, and other disadvantaged students.
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage of annual tuition fees and other compulsory university fees |
| Living expenses | US$1,365 per month for US/equivalent destinations; lower rates for other countries (e.g., US$990 for UK). |
| Contingency Allowance | One-time grant of US$1,500 for Master’s and US$2,000 for Ph.D. |
| Travel Allowance | Economy class airfare from India to the study destination and back |
| Visa & Other Fees | Reimbursement of visa, medical insurance, and thesis printing costs (for Ph.D.) |
| Duration | Up to 3 years for Master’s and 4 years for Ph.D |
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Indian citizen belonging to SC, DNT, LAL, or TA categories.
- Applicants must not be more than 35 years as on April 1 of the selection year
- Minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA in the qualifying degree
- An offer of admission from a foreign university ranked in the top 500 per the latest QS World University Rankings.
- Annual family income not exceeding ₹8 lakh from all sources
Application Process
The application process is completely online and is conducted in two rounds in February and in September.
Candidates need to cisit the official portal at https://nosmsje.gov.in and click on “New Registration” or “Apply” under the National Overseas Scholarship section.
Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship (UK)
The Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is a prestigious, fully funded research fellowship established by the Government of India in 1967 to honor Agatha Harrison, a British supporter of India’s independence movement.
With this scholarships, aspirants can pursue advanced research in Modern Indian Studies (History, Economics, or Political Science) at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, UK
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage of tuition fees, including £2,407 for lunches and £679 for 6 high-table dinners. |
| Living expenses | £22,063 (maintenance allowance) |
| Tenure | 1 year (extendable by 1 year based on performance) |
| Travel Allowance | Economy class airfare to/from UK |
| Visa & Other Fees | Candidates must arrange by themselves |
Eligibilty Criteria
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen, having a strong academic record in Modern Indian Studies (History, Economics, or Political Science).
- The candidate must be a PhD degree holder with at least 3 years of teaching experience at graduate/postgraduate level post-PhD.
Application Process
Candidates can apply online at www.scholarships.gov.in
By Foreign Governments
There are many scholarships provided by the foreign government, to support higher education of academically exceptional students. Below is the complete list.
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships (USA)
The Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship is one of prestigious grants funded by the U.S. Department of State.
The Fellowship support Indian citizens for advanced study, research, teaching, or professional development at accredited U.S. institutions.
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage of tuition fees and monthly stipend ~$2,000–$3,500, varies by location/cost of living) |
| Living expenses | Settling-in allowance (~$500–$1,000), medical cover (~$2,000 value) |
| Tenure | Master’s: 1–2 years; Doctoral/Postdoctoral: 6–24 months; Academic/Professional: 4–9 months |
| Travel Allowance | Round-trip economy class airfare to/from USA |
| Visa & Other Fees | J-1 visa support provided; candidates arrange visa fees and medical insurance (if additional coverage desired). |
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate must be an Indian citizen with a strong academic record in their chosen field (e.g., Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, or Professional disciplines).
- For Master’s: Bachelor’s equivalent with 3+ years professional experience.
- For Doctoral: Registered/enrolled PhD student; thesis submission at least 3 months post-grant.
- For Postdoctoral: PhD within 4 years; for Academic/Professional: Faculty/professionals with relevant experience.
- Employer endorsement (if employed); no prior U.S. degree; commitment to return to India.
Application Process
Online at www.usief.org.in
Chevening Scholarships (UK)
The Chevening Scholarship is a prestigious, fully-funded program by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), supporting outstanding individuals for master’s degrees at UK universities.
Benefits
| Stipened | Full coverage of tuition fees and a monthly stipend (~£1,200–£1,800, varies by location/cost of living). |
| Living expenses | Settling-in allowance (~£500–£1,000) |
| Tenure | 1 year (typically for taught master’s programs) |
| Travel Allowance | Round-trip economy class airfare to/from the UK |
| Visa & Other Fees | Visa application support provided |
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country (including India) with a strong academic record.
- For Master’s: Undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK 2:1 honors degree (upper second-class) and at least 2 years of work experience (can include internships, volunteering, or paid/unpaid work).
- No prior UK degree or study funded by a UK Government scholarship.
- Commitment to return to home country for at least 2 years post-scholarship.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and a clear career plan.
- English language proficiency (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent, meeting UK university requirements).
Application Process
Apply online at www.chevening.org
Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
The Commonwealth Scholarships is a fully-funded program by the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).
The scholarship aims at supporting talented individuals from low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries for postgraduate study, research, and professional development at UK universities, aiming to foster sustainable development and global leadership.
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage of tuition fees and a monthly maintenance allowance (~£1,200–£1,500) |
| Living expenses | Settling-in allowance (~£500–£1,000) |
| Tenure | Master’s 1 year, 3 years for PhD |
| Travel Allowance | Economy class airfare to/from the UK |
| Visa & Other Fees | The visa application fee is fully covered |
Eligibility Criteria
The candidate must be a citizen or permanent resident of an eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country (e.g., India, Nigeria, Pakistan), or a refugee/British Protected Person.
For Master’s, the applicant must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours, or lower second-class with a relevant postgraduate qualification; unable to afford UK studies without support.
For PhD, the applicant must hold a relevant Master’s degree and have a strong academic performance.
For Split-site/Professional: Enrolled in a PhD or mid-career professional with 5+ years experience; commitment to return home and apply skills.
Permanent residence in an eligible country; available to start in September/October 2026; studies aligned with one of six CSC development themes (e.g., climate action, health).
Application Process
Apply online via the CSC website: cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The DAAD Scholarships, administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), are a prestigious, fully-funded program supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Candidates from developing countries can apply for the scholarship to purse postgraduate studies, research, or professional development at state or state-recognized German universities
Benefits
| Stipened | Monthly payments of €992 for Master’s graduates or €1,400 for doctoral candidates and an annual study/research allowance of €460. |
| Living expenses | Coverage of tuition fees and health/accident/liability insurance |
| Tenure | Master’s 2–24 months, PhD/Doctoral up to 36 months |
| Travel Allowance | Round-trip economy class airfare to/from Germany |
| Visa & Other Fees | The visa application fee is fully covered |
Eligibility Critria
Must be an international student (priority to developing/emerging countries).
Not living in Germany >15 months at time of application.
Master’s: Bachelor’s with above-average results (top third), 2+ yrs work experience (for development programs), language proof (B1 German or IELTS/TOEFL).
PhD: Relevant Master’s, strong academic record, research potential, admission/enrolment in German university.
No prior full degree from Germany.
Must plan to return home after studies; research should align with DAAD themes (e.g., sustainable development).
Application Process
Candidates can apply online via the DAAD Scholarship Database: www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/
Some of the other notable scholarships offered by foreign governments are:
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EU) – For master’s students across European universities.
- Australia Awards Scholarships – For postgraduate study in Australia.
- MEXT Scholarship (Japan) – For undergraduates, research, and teacher training programs.
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarships (France) – For master’s and Ph.D. programs.
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships – For Ph.D. students in Canada.
University-Specific Scholarships
The University-Specific Scholarships are financial aid programs offered directly by universities to attract and support talented students.
These scholarships are offered on the basis of academic excellence, sports achievements, leadership skills, or financial need.
Rhodes Scholarships (University of Oxford, UK)
The Rhodes scholarship was started in the year 1902, is one of the oldest and most prestigious international scholarship programs, funded by the Rhodes Trust.
The scholarship supports exceptional students from around the world to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford.
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage of tuition fees and and a monthly living stipend ~£1,900/month |
| Living expenses | Settling-in allowance (~£250), health insurance via the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) |
| Tenure | 1-2 year’s for master’s and upto 3 years for PhD |
| Travel Allowance | Round-trip economy class airfare to/from the UK |
| Visa & Other Fees | Student Visa application fee (~£490) and Immigration Health Surcharge (~£470/year) covered |
Eligibility Criteria
Citizenship: Must belong to an eligible Rhodes constituency (e.g., India, USA, Australia) or apply via Global Scholarship; some require 5+ yrs residency/education.
Age: Usually 19–25 years (by 1 Oct 2025); up to 28 allowed in some constituencies/programs.
Academics: First-class degree or equivalent (e.g., 3.7/4.0 GPA, top 10%).
Other Criteria: Leadership, moral character, service commitment, no prior UK degree (rare exceptions).
English: Proficiency required, but no mandatory IELTS/TOEFL.
Application: Must also apply for an Oxford course simultaneously.
Application Process
Apply online via the Rhodes Trust website: www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk
Gates Cambridge Scholarship (University of Cambridge, UK)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is a prestigious international postgraduate award funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, established in October 2000.
The scholarship supports outstanding graduate students from outside the United Kingdom to pursue full-time postgraduate degrees at Cambridge University.
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage of University tuition fees and maintenance allowance (~£20,000/year) |
| Living expenses | Included in the maintenance allowance |
| Tenure | Up to 4 years for PhD, 1–2 years for other programs (e.g., MPhil, MSc) |
| Travel Allowance | One economy round-trip airfare to/from the UK |
| Visa & Other Fees | Student visa application fee (~£490) and Immigration Health Surcharge covered |
Eligibility Criteria
Only Non-UK citizens are eligible for the Scholarship.
Applying for full-time postgraduate courses at Cambridge (new applicants or continuing students for specific funding)
The candidates must have an outstanding academic record (e.g., GPA ~3.9 or equivalent)
No age limit; all subjects eligible.
Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship (USA)
The Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship was started in the year 2008 as a five-year pilot program through a partnership between Reliance Industries Limited and Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB).
The scholarship supports outstanding Indian students with financial need in pursuing a two-year MBA at Stanford GSB.
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage of tuition and course-related fees |
| Living expenses | Annual living stipend to cover living expenses |
| Tenure | Two years for the Stanford MBA program |
| Travel Allowance | One economy round-trip airfare to/from India annually. |
| Visa & Other Fees | Student visa application fee and SEVIS fee covered |
Eligibility Criteria
Indian citizens who completed senior secondary education (Class 12) in India.
Applying for the full-time Stanford MBA program at GSB.
Demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership potential, and intellectual vitality.
Valid GMAT/GRE scores and English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) if required.
Demonstrated financial need.
Deferred enrollment candidates may apply one year prior to planned enrollment.
University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships (Australia)
The University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships is offered to the high-achieving domestic and international students pursuing Masters by Research or doctoral degrees.
The scholarship is funded by the Australian Government and the University of Melbourne and offers 600 awards annually across all disciplines.
Benefits
| Tuition Fees | Full fee offset for up to 2 years (Masters by Research) or 4 years (doctoral) |
| Living expenses | Living allowance of $38,500 per year |
| Tenure | Stipend up to 3.5 years for doctoral/2 years for Masters; fee offset up to 4 years for doctoral |
| Travel Allowance | Relocation grant of $2,000 (from interstate Australia) or $3,000 (from overseas) |
| Visa & Other Fees | Student visa application fee not covered |
Eligibility Criteria
Academic merit based on the last completed degree.
Research potential in the proposed field of study.
Additional considerations: Relevant work experience, publications, medical qualifications, or original creative work (e.g., music composition).
All eligible domestic students receive RTP Fee Offset; competitive stipends awarded to top-ranked applicants.
Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship (University of Toronto, Canada)
Private & NGO Scholarships
Private & NGO Scholarships are funded by private organizations, charitable trusts, foundations, or non-governmental organizations to support students in their education.
These scholarships cover tuition fees, living costs, or provide one-time grants, and are generally awarded based on merit, need, or social background.
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships – For master’s and doctoral programs abroad.
- Tata Scholarship (Cornell University, USA) – For Indian undergraduates at Cornell.
- KC Mahindra Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies Abroad
- JN Tata Endowment for Higher Education of Indians – Loan scholarships for global education.
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship – For postgraduates from developing countries.
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