India offers several government-supported scholarship opportunities for international students who want to pursue higher education in the country. The largest group of these opportunities is administered through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, or ICCR, under different scholarship schemes funded by ICCR, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Ayush. For the 2026-27 academic year, the official ICCR scholarship information lists 18 schemes with a combined allocation of 4,541 scholarship slots.
These scholarships are not available to every international student under one common set of rules. Eligibility depends on nationality, academic level, subject, scholarship scheme, and the number of places allocated to each country. Some schemes are available to students from many countries, while others are specifically designed for nationals of particular countries or regions.
For students considering India, understanding the difference between government scholarships, university scholarships, and fee waivers is important. This guide explains the major government-supported opportunities, who can apply, what expenses may be covered, and how the application process generally works.
What Are Government Scholarships for International Students in India?
Government scholarships are financial assistance programs supported or administered by Indian government bodies for eligible foreign nationals.
One of the main organizations involved is the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. ICCR operates scholarship programs for foreign students and works with Indian universities, institutions, and Indian diplomatic missions abroad.
The current ICCR scholarship program covers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD study in many STEM and non-STEM disciplines. It also supports areas such as performing arts and traditional Indian systems of medicine. However, standard ICCR scholarship rules do not generally cover medicine and many paramedical programs.
The scholarship schemes are not all funded in exactly the same way. Current ICCR information shows that some schemes are funded by ICCR itself, while others are supported by the Ministry of External Affairs or Ministry of Ayush.
Main Government Scholarship Provider: ICCR
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations is the most important organization international students should know when looking for government-funded scholarships to study in India.
ICCR currently administers multiple scholarship schemes for foreign students from different regions. Its scholarship program supports students from a large number of countries and provides opportunities at participating Indian universities and institutions.
For the 2026-27 academic year, the listed schemes include:
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme
- Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme
- Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarship Scheme
- Bangladesh Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme
- India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme
- Mekong Ganga Cooperation Scholarship Scheme
- Sushma Swaraj Silver Jubilee Scholarship Scheme for Nepal
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme for Bhutan
- Ayush Scholarship Schemes
- Quad STEM Scholarship Scheme
- Special scholarship opportunities for specific nationalities
The number of places and eligibility requirements differ from one scheme to another.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme is one of the broad ICCR scholarship programs.
For 2026-27, the official ICCR scheme information lists 554 places across 116 countries. It supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD study in STEM and non-STEM areas, subject to the scheme's restrictions. Medicine, law, and integrated courses are listed among the excluded areas for this particular scheme.
The scheme can therefore be relevant to international students interested in fields such as:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Business
- Economics
- Humanities
- Social Sciences
- Science
- Other eligible disciplines
Students should check the current course and university rules before selecting a program.
Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students
Bangladeshi students have a particularly relevant scholarship opportunity because ICCR's current 2026-27 scholarship list includes the Bangladesh Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme.
The 2026-27 allocation lists 500 places for Bangladeshi nationals.
ICCR's scholarship information also identifies Bangladesh-specific scholarship arrangements covering undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD opportunities, including engineering, through schemes associated with the Indian government.
For students from Bangladesh, this makes it especially important to check the Indian mission and ICCR announcements for the relevant academic year rather than relying on old scholarship articles.
India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme
The India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme is designed for students from African countries.
For 2026-27, ICCR lists 1,503 places under this scheme across 54 African countries. The scholarship supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD study in STEM and non-STEM disciplines, subject to the listed restrictions.
The scale of this scheme makes it one of the most significant government-supported scholarship opportunities for African students planning to study in India.
Scholarship Schemes for Nepal and Bhutan
India also operates scholarship schemes specifically for neighboring countries.
For Nepal, the 2026-27 ICCR allocation includes the Sushma Swaraj Silver Jubilee Scholarship Scheme with 64 places. For Bhutan, the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme has 60 places.
The Bhutan scheme supports undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD study in STEM and non-STEM fields, subject to its course restrictions. The listed benefits include scholarship allowances, accommodation-related support, contingency and thesis allowances, and travel support.
AYUSH Scholarships
International students interested in traditional Indian systems of medicine may also find government-supported opportunities through the Ministry of Ayush.
The current ICCR scheme list includes scholarships connected with AYUSH for different groups of countries, including BIMSTEC countries, non-BIMSTEC countries, Malaysia, and countries in the South-East Asian Region.
These opportunities are different from the standard ICCR general scholarship schemes, so students should carefully check the eligibility and course conditions for the specific AYUSH scholarship.
What Does an ICCR Scholarship Cover?
The exact benefits depend on the scholarship scheme, but ICCR's current scholarship information states that its programs can cover several major expenses.
These may include:
- Tuition fees
- Monthly scholarship allowance
- Accommodation-related support
- Annual contingency allowance
- Thesis or research allowance
- Air travel for joining and completing the course
- Other approved academic expenses
ICCR also states that students are responsible for their medical needs through health insurance.
Not every expense is necessarily covered. For example, the detailed 2026-27 scheme information for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme lists hostel or private accommodation charges, food expenses, security deposits, immigration registration charges, and other costs outside the scholarship criteria among expenses that students may need to bear.
This is why applicants should read the rules for their specific scholarship rather than assuming that every cost of studying abroad will be paid.
Government Scholarship vs University Scholarship
Students often use the terms government scholarship and university scholarship interchangeably, but they are not always the same.
A government-supported scholarship is administered through a government organization or government-funded program. ICCR scholarships are a major example.
A university scholarship or fee waiver is provided directly by an institution.
The Study in India program specifically states that it does not itself provide scholarships. Instead, participating institutes can offer institute-driven scholarships and tuition fee waivers based on their own criteria. Current Study in India information says these tuition waivers can range from 10% to 100%, depending on the institute and the student's academic performance.
This distinction matters when planning your budget. Students researching the overall cost of studying in India for international students should calculate tuition, accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses separately and then determine which costs are actually covered by their scholarship.
Who Can Apply for Government Scholarships?
Eligibility depends on the specific scholarship scheme.
In general, applicants may need to meet requirements related to:
- Nationality
- Academic qualifications
- Age
- Course
- Academic performance
- Medical fitness
- English or other language requirements
- University eligibility
- Country-specific conditions
For example, the current ICCR scholarship portal requires applicants to provide accurate personal information and supporting documents. The 2026-27 guidelines warn that discrepancies between information entered on the portal and documentary evidence can result in cancellation of an application.
Students should therefore prepare their academic documents carefully before submitting an application.
What Academic Levels Are Covered?
Government-supported scholarship opportunities can cover different levels of higher education.
Depending on the scheme, students may apply for:
Undergraduate Programs
Students who have completed their secondary or higher secondary education may be eligible for undergraduate scholarships if they meet the academic and nationality requirements.
Postgraduate Programs
Students with an appropriate bachelor's degree may apply for eligible master's or other postgraduate programs.
PhD Programs
Some ICCR schemes support doctoral research. Applicants may need additional academic and research-related qualifications depending on the university and scholarship scheme.
The current ICCR program explicitly provides opportunities at UG, PG, and PhD levels under several schemes.
How to Apply for an ICCR Scholarship
ICCR applications are submitted through its online A2A Scholarship Portal.
The official ICCR FAQ states that interested applicants should register and apply through the A2A portal and submit their applications through the Indian Embassy in their country. Applications are not accepted through ordinary hard-copy or postal submission.
The general process is:
- Check whether your country is eligible.
- Review the available scholarship schemes.
- Check the eligible courses and universities.
- Prepare your academic and personal documents.
- Register on the A2A portal.
- Select suitable courses and institutions.
- Submit the online application.
- Follow the instructions of the Indian Mission in your country.
- Wait for university admission and scholarship decisions.
- Complete the required visa process if selected.
The choice of course and institution is made by the applicant, while admission is granted by the university or institution and scholarship selection is handled through the applicable government and diplomatic process.
Documents Students Should Prepare
Applicants should prepare documents well before the application period begins.
Depending on the scholarship and course, these may include:
- Passport
- Recent photographs
- Academic certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of nationality
- Medical documents
- Language-related documents
- Research proposal for applicable PhD programs
- Other course-specific documents
The exact document list should always be taken from the current scholarship guidelines.
The ICCR A2A registration system specifically warns applicants to ensure that the information entered online matches their supporting documents.
How Competitive Are Government Scholarships?
Government scholarships can be competitive because the number of places is limited.
For example, the 2026-27 ICCR allocation contains 554 places under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme, while the India-Africa Maitri scheme has 1,503 places and the Bangladesh Golden Jubilee scheme has 500 places.
Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not necessarily guarantee selection.
Students can improve their application by:
- Maintaining strong academic results
- Choosing an eligible course
- Preparing accurate documents
- Researching universities carefully
- Following application instructions
- Applying before the deadline
- Checking communications from the relevant Indian Mission
Government Scholarships and the Cost of Studying in India
A scholarship can substantially reduce the financial burden of studying abroad, but students should still prepare a personal budget.
Some expenses may remain outside scholarship coverage, including certain accommodation, food, insurance, deposits, travel within India, or administrative charges depending on the scheme.
For this reason, students should calculate the expected total cost before accepting an offer.
A useful approach is:
Total personal budget = uncovered tuition and fees + living expenses + travel + insurance + personal expenses
The scholarship rules should then be used to determine which parts of that budget are covered.
Important Points Before Applying
Scholarship information can change from one academic year to another.
Students should always check:
- Current scholarship year
- Eligible nationality
- Number of available places
- Eligible courses
- Age requirements
- Academic requirements
- Application deadline
- Required documents
- Scholarship benefits
- Expenses not covered
- Visa requirements
The ICCR portal currently publishes separate guidelines for the 2026-27 academic year, showing why applicants should use the current year's instructions rather than relying solely on older scholarship articles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which government organization provides scholarships to international students in India?
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations is a major government organization administering scholarships for foreign students. Some schemes are funded by ICCR, while others are supported by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Ayush.
Are government scholarships available for Bangladeshi students?
Yes. The current ICCR 2026-27 scholarship allocation includes the Bangladesh Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme with 500 places for Bangladeshi nationals.
Does Study in India provide scholarships?
The Study in India program itself states that it does not provide scholarships. However, participating institutions may offer their own scholarships and tuition fee waivers, including waivers ranging from 10% to 100% according to institutional criteria.
Can international students receive scholarships for bachelor's degrees?
Yes. Several ICCR schemes support undergraduate study, although the available courses and eligibility requirements depend on the particular scholarship scheme.
Can international students get scholarships for PhD study in India?
Yes. ICCR scholarship schemes can support PhD study in eligible disciplines. Applicants must satisfy the academic, research, nationality, and scheme-specific requirements.
Where do international students apply for ICCR scholarships?
Applications are submitted online through the ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal, with the application process involving the Indian Mission in the applicant's country.
Final Thoughts
Government scholarships can make studying in India considerably more accessible for international students, but there is no single scholarship that applies to everyone. The most suitable opportunity depends on your nationality, academic level, chosen subject, and the scholarship schemes available for your country.
ICCR is the main organization to investigate, with current schemes covering students from many countries and providing opportunities at undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels. For the 2026-27 academic year, the official list includes 4,541 scholarship slots across 18 schemes, including dedicated opportunities for countries and regions such as Bangladesh, Africa, Nepal, Bhutan, and BIMSTEC countries.
The most important step is to check the current scholarship guidelines before applying. Requirements, available places, eligible courses, and deadlines can change each academic year. Students should also compare universities and calculate their remaining living and academic expenses even when a scholarship covers major costs.
A careful application, accurate documentation, and a clear understanding of what the scholarship actually pays for can make the process much easier and help international students plan their education in India with greater confidence.