Planning to study abroad but scared about the cost? Don’t be! In this blog, we are going to cover some amazing Indian scholarships to study abroad for Indian students exclusively. Don’t forget to note down the deadlines and requirements.
Indian Scholarships to Study Abroad
Foreign education can be expensive but there are various scholarships that make it affordable for talented students. Let’s look at some of the best scholarships that help you cover your study abroad expenses.
- National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Cast (SC) Students
- The JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
- Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship
- Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
- Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
- The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust
Let’s explore!
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
These fellowships are awarded to students who wish to pursue a master’s degree at US colleges and universities. The fellowship is for up to 2 years.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; Higher Education Administration; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; and Women’s Studies/Gender Studies. | J-1 visa support Round-trip airfare (economy class) Tuition and fees Living expenses Accident and sickness insurance (per U.S. guidelines) | Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with 55% marks 3+ years of relevant work experience Leadership and community service experience No prior U.S. degree or enrollment Employer’s endorsement (if applicable) | Closed for 2024. May 15, 2024, 23:59:59 hrs (IST) |
National Overseas Scholarship
This scholarship empowers marginalized individuals who wish to study abroad. The scholarship supports their dreams of pursuing master’s degrees or Ph.D. courses.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| STEM, Management, Economics, Finance, Law, Agriculture and Medicine, Humanities, and Social Science | Financial support is offered for 3 years for master’s and 4 years for PhD candidates. Annual Maintenance Allowance: USD 15,400 GBP 9,900 Annual Contingency Allowance: USD 1,500 GBP 1,100 Tuition Fees: Actual cost Visa Fees: Actual cost in INR Medical Insurance: Actual cost Incidental & Equipment Allowance: USD 20 per day or equivalent in INR Airfare: Economy class tickets (round trip) Booked through authorized agents (BLCL, ATT, IRCTC) Reimbursement after joining university Return tickets booked by Indian Mission abroad | Maximum 35 years as of April 1st of the selection year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with 60% marks Master’s degree (for Ph.D. applicants) with 60% marks Diploma + Bachelor’s degree (lateral entry): Bachelor’s marks considered Family income below Rs. 8 lakh per annum Income certificate from Tehsildar or higher Income Tax Returns (ITR) and CPC intimation order required Includes applicant, parents, siblings under 18, spouse, and children under 18 (for married women, in-laws’ income also included). Marksheets for all semesters/terms CGPA conversion formula (if applicable) Income certificate ITR and CPC intimation order | The selection year period would be April-March of each year. |
The JN Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians
The Endowment supports students who wish to pursue higher studies overseas. It is a merit-based loan scholarship that covers master’s, PhD., post – doctoral fellowships, across all education streams.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| All major courses | Loan amounts have ranged from INR 1 lakh to INR 10 lakhs. The loan scholarship is offered at a simple interest of 2% per annum but Trustees may at their discretion grant any exemption or rebate in the payment of interest by any candidate. The loan is repayable in equal installments from the 3rd to the 7th year commencing from the date of disbursement of the loan scholarship. No collateral security is required; however, a guarantor is mandatory. | Be an Indian citizen. Be 45 years old or younger as of June 30, 2024. Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a recognized Indian university with a minimum average of 60% marks. Be applying for a full-time postgraduate (Master’s or PhD) program abroad. Not be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program or pursuing a postgraduate degree/diploma/certificate through distance learning or online mode. You can apply even if you haven’t received admission offers yet, but update your application with the Endowment once you secure them. Previous applicants and J N Tata scholars who have fully repaid their loans are welcome to apply again. The scholarship is for a period of 12 months or more. | 31st March 2025 (Based on previous deadlines) |
Narotam Sekhsaria PG Scholarship
This PG scholarship is meant for academically bright students who wish to pursue a master’s abroad or in India. It offers full and part scholarships as interest-free loans.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| Master’s courses | Variable amount The award of scholarship is subject to securing admission. A mentor to guide you through your academic journey. | Applicant must be an Indian national, residing in India Applicant must be below 30 years of age as of January 31, 2024 Applicant must have graduated from an accredited Indian University Students in their final year of the degree course or those awaiting results are also eligible. Applicants planning to pursue Postgraduate studies at top ranking institutions from Fall 2024 Applicants who have applied and are awaiting an acceptance from the university are also eligible to apply. | Closed for 2024. 19th March 2024 |
The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
Inlaks Scholarships recognize and support outstanding Indian graduates with exceptional talent, strong character, and a drive to achieve their full potential across various academic fields.
| Courses Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| All subjects for PG courses except: Business and Finance Computer Science Engineering* Fashion Design Film and Film Animation** Hospitality and Tourism Indian Studies without Contemporary Relevance Management Studies (i.e. MBA) Medicine, Dentistry, and related therapies Music*** Public Health | The value depends on the course and covers tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, and health allowance, up to USD 100,000. | The applicant must be an Indian passport holder who is resident in India at the time of application. The applicant must be born on or after 1st January 1995. (for the 2025 scholarship applications) The applicant must hold a degree from a recognised university in India. If you are in the final year of graduation and awaiting results, you are eligible to apply. Applicants who hold an undergraduate degree from a recognised university abroad must have resided continuously, been employed, or have been studying in India for at least two years after their undergraduation, in order to be eligible to apply. Required minimum percentage/grade For Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture and related subjects, applicants must have a minimum academic grade of 65%, CGPA 6.8/10, or GPA 2.6/4 from a recognized university/institution. For Mathematics, Sciences, Environment and related subjects, applicants must have a minimum academic grade of 70%, CGPA 7.2/10, or GPA 3/4 from a recognised university/institution. It is essential to have prior admission to the institution and course chosen at the time of the application. The Foundation will not consider applicants without evidence of admission. Applicants who have an English language certification as a conditional part of their offer letter or as a part of any other condition, need to attain that certification before applying for the Scholarship. Applicants who have received a deferred offer of admission must have a valid offer for the academic year in which they plan to study to be eligible for that year’s Scholarship. | Applications for 2025 will now open in February 2025. |
Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
The Government of India backs the fully funded Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship. It places a selected individual at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, London.
| Courses Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| History, Economics, or Political Science. | The total value of the award is – £29,944.85. | A strong academic record with at least 60% in PG and a PhD in the chosen field or equivalent recognized publications. A minimum of 3 years of teaching experience at the graduate/postgraduate level post-PhD. Eligibility: Age between 30-40 years. A keen interest in an academic career. Specialization in History, Economics, or Political Science. | January |
Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
This Fulbright fellowship is meant for Indian PhD candidates studying at an Indian institution. It is for six to nine months, and the selected candidate will be affiliated with one USA host institution.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| Climate programs | J-1 visa support Monthly stipend Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines Round-trip economy class air travel No allowances are provided for dependents. | Relevant research experience (India & US) Registered Ph.D. student by Nov 1, 2023 Ph.D. supervisor recommendation (research, need, registration date, topic) Ph.D. thesis submission after grant end date Employer’s endorsement (if applicable) Published or presented paper or thesis extracts (max 20 pages) | Closed for 2024. July 15, 2024, 23:59:59 hrs (IST) |
The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust
The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship 2025 supports Indian women pursuing higher education abroad in fields like social work, social sciences, education, healthcare, and medicine.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| Subjects like Communication for Development, Counseling, Education – Teachers’ training, Education and welfare of children with special needs, Gender Studies and more. | INR 3-6 Lakh | Indian woman who is a graduate from a reputed university. A consistent and remarkable academic record. Candidates are required to have ALL their results in hand, to be considered eligible to submit their application. Individuals still awaiting their results are not eligible to apply. (this requirement applies to those who have completed their bachelor’s degree and have their results in hand) Must have applied for admission, or preferably secured admission, to reputed universities or institutions in the United States, UK or Europe for the year 2024-2025. Graduates with at least two years of relevant paid work experience are desired. | April 25, 2025 (tentative) |
Cornell University Tata Scholarship
Ratan Tata instituted the Tata Scholarship at Cornell University for Indian students pursuing undergraduate studies at the university.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| College of Architecture, Art and Planning College of Engineering Applied Economics and Management major in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Majors across colleges in the biological sciences, physical sciences, and other sciences, as well as the social sciences. | With a $25 million endowment, the scholarship covers tuition and other annual expenses for undergraduate students from India. | A citizen of India who has attended secondary school in India. Offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate student. Must be eligible for need-based financial aid. | Closed. 1st November 2024 |
Charpak Master’s Scholarships
This master’s scholarship is for students who wish to study in France for one to two years at the master’s degree level for all streams and fields of study.
| Subjects Covered | Benefits | Eligibility | Deadline |
| Monthly allowance of 860 euros Exemption of visa (if applying from India) and Campus France procedure fees Student social security and additional health insurance Assistance in finding affordable student accommodation through Campus France in France Meal discount at university restaurants with meals at €1 Access to social and cultural activities organized by Campus France | be an Indian citizen or hold an OCI card • be 30 years old or younger at the time of application • be currently enrolled or have completed studies at an Indian institution of higher education. Applicants with a degree from a foreign institution are eligible, but preference will be given to those who have completed their education from an Indian institution. • ensure that the course takes place in France. If part of the course (one semester or more) takes place in another country, the scholarship will not cover that period • knowledge of French is an asset, but not mandatory to apply for the scholarship • the scholarship is available for full-time master’s degree programs. Students participating in semester exchange programmes, internships or research projects are not eligible to apply • students already pursuing a master’s in France can apply for funding for the second year • have applied for admission to a French institution prior to applying for the scholarship. For admission procedure, please contact your nearest Campus France office in India or refer to the website of the institution of your choice. | 18 November 2024 |
These Indian scholarships can truly help you actualize your dream of studying abroad. Note all the deadlines and requirements so you can apply on time!
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