Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad in 2025

The government of India offers fully or partially funded scholarships to Indian students studying abroad. These scholarship programs or fellowships cover expenses like fees, living costs, and travel. The scholarships award merit and academic excellence, helping students to gain international exposure and skills from a global perspective. 

The scholarship and financial aid programs are dedicated to a better future and equal opportunities for all. The National Scholarship Portal of the government of India is an initiative of the Digital India and National e-governance plan.

Top 7 Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad in 2025

Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

The Indian government’s Ministry of Human Resource Development honours Ms. Agatha Harrison by offering a fully funded fellowship. One student is placed every year at St. Anthony College, University of Oxford London. The student joins as a Junior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford for one year. The duration of one year is extendable to 2 upon evaluation of performance of the candidate. 

The notice of this program is circulated in top newspapers, UGC, and universities. Students must be informed that only the fulfilment of minimum criteria doesn’t finalise students for the interview. Students are judged on academic performance and interview. 

Steps to apply-

1. Visit the official scholarship portal of the Indian government, Sakshat.
2. Sign up and submit the application form with attached documents like testimonials, study program details, photographs, etc.

Amount awarded	Stipend- £ 22,063.00  Travel- £ 890.00  College meals- £ 2,407.00  High table dinner- £ 679.00  Other- £ 3,930.8
Level	Doctoral/ Graduate
Subjects	History, Economics, and Political Science
Eligibility	60% in post graduation PhD in chosen field or recognition in published works  Passion for academic career At least three years of teaching experience at postgraduate or graduate level after completing PhD Age 30 to 40 years
Public notice	January

2025-2026 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships

2025-2026 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are Indian government scholarships for studying abroad in various Colleges and Universities in the USA. The candidate must return to India after studies to contribute to the national community. The selected candidates must display strong leadership skills, complete a relevant/ equivalent US bachelor’s degree, and have three years of work experience.

The scholarship is available to students for diverse subjects. Placement of successful students is done by the Institute of International Education (IIE), New York. The application is done at the official website of the United States-India Educational Foundation. Candidates must be aware that USIEF funding may not be sufficient for all costs and must be prepared with additional financial resources. 

1. The link to online application portal: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025/
2. Read the FNMaster’s Applicant Instructions carefully.  
3. Check FNMaster’s Applicant Checklist for the document checklist before proceeding to submit the application.  
4. Other forms to submit are FNMaster’s Applicant Annexure and  FNMaster’s Employer’s Endorsement Form.

Amount awarded	J-1 visa support Round-trip economy class air travel from home country to the study institute in the U.S. Sponsorship of tuition fees, living costs, and miscellaneous. Health issues coverage per the U.S. Government regulations.
Level	Graduate
Subjects	Economics; Environmental Science/Studies; International Affairs; International Legal Studies; Journalism and Mass Communication; Public Administration; Public Health; Urban and Regional Planning; Women’s Studies/Gender Studies; Higher Education Administration
Eligibility	An equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from an authorised Indian university.  55% marks minimum. The duration must be four years for bachelor’s degree, or a master’s degree, or a full-time postgraduate diploma from a recognized Indian college (if undergraduate degree was less than 4 years). 3 years of work experience in a paid contract by the application deadline  Leadership and dedication to national community No degree or enrollment in US universities/colleges. FNMasters Employer’s Endorsement Form

National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship aims at the betterment and advancement of the economic and social upbringing of poor and marginalised communities. The students offered the National Overseas Scholarships are the Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans. 

The scholarship is for masters or research studies abroad, for development of marginalised communities, and elimination of financial and other burdens. There are 100 awards for the National Overseas Scholarship in 2025, out of which 90 are for Scheduled Castes, 6 for Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, and 4 for the Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisan candidates. 30 percent of the awards are reserved for women candidates each year. 

The funds are not sent directly to the student. The funds are entrusted to the Indian Missions abroad by the Ministry of External Affairs) whose family income is less than 6 lakhs INR per annum.

Amount awarded	Tuition fee Annual allowance of USD 15400  Contingency Charges of USD 1532  Poll Tax Visa Fee Medical Insurance  Air tickets and travel Other Journey expenses
Level	Graduate, Doctoral
Subjects	Engineering and Management  Pure Sciences and Applied Sciences  Agricultural Sciences and Medicine  International Commerce Accounting and Finance  Humanities and Social Sciences
Eligibility	At least 55% at the undergraduate level. Minimum 55% at the master’s level Below 35 years of age Family income is less than 6 lakhs INR per annum. No students studying abroad or living abroad will be entertained. Chances of consideration are increased if the student is already enrolled in universities in the UK, Germany, Australia, etc.

JN Tata Endowment- Higher Education of Indians

Steps to Apply:

1. Register and Fill out the application form with complete documents like statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, Aadhaar card, and academic transcripts.
2. Take the mock test and final online test after a screening.
3. Appear for interviews with international and Indian professionals.
4. Wait for declaration. 

Amount awarded	Loan amount is a maximum of 1 lakh to 10 lakh INR. Travel allowance of 50000 INR. Note: The loan is repaid in installments of 20% within seven years of being awarded the loan scholarship.
Level	Postgraduate, Ph.D., doctoral, and Research
Subjects	All subjects- Biology, Computer Science, Counselling, Design, Economics, Education, Engineering, Environment, Medicine and Healthcare, Humanities, Mathematics, Media & Technology, Neuroscience, Operations Research, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Physics, Psychology, Public Administration, Pure Sciences, Security and Intelligence
Eligibility	Minimum 60% at the undergraduate level. Minimum 60% at the master’s level. Must have studied at a recognized Indian institution. Age must be below 45 years. Current postgraduate students abroad can apply at the start of their second year, with at least 12 months remaining before the scholarship is awarded. Final-year students awaiting results are eligible. Applicants without an offer letter from an international university can apply but must provide a confirmation of enrollment reference number to jnte@tatatrusts.org. Ineligible if enrolled in online or distance training, diplomas of one year, or programs requiring higher secondary education.
Official Scholarship Website	https://jntataendowment.org/

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarships are prestigious and popular among Indian students. The Erasmus program is funded by the European Union and fosters academic excellence and international collaboration among thousands of Indian scholars who were awarded this scholarship. Erasmus scholarships are available to EU and Non-EU countries that are part of the Erasmus+ program. 

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree is available in three different institutions in multiple countries for students in joint degrees, thesis, study, research, doctoral, or defence. The comprehensive scholarship package provides a tuition fee, monthly living expenses, visa fees and travel costs. The program is a masters program for one to two years. 

The aim of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree scholarship is to expose students to a global arena in the modern, competitive world.

Since its establishment, teh Erasmus Mundus program of Indian students has gained recent popularity among Indians. 

The scholarship has academic and non-academic associations from around the world. The Erasmus programme has a budget of €26 billion, leading a mobilised and empowered international student community. 

Steps to apply:

1. Apply on this link for centralised applications- https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc/index/
2. For decentralised applications, go to this link- https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/grants/how-get-grant_en

Chief Minister’s Overseas Scheme for Minorities

The Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Minorities was founded in 2025-2026 by the Minorities Welfare Department, Government of Telangana. The scheme funds the minority and marginalised community to study post graduation programs in foreign study destinations. The scholarship is awarded to 500 post graduate students from minority communities every year.  

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must reside in Telangana and belong to a minority or marginalized community.
• Maximum age limit: 35 years as of July 1.
• Previous award recipients are ineligible for a second scholarship.
• Applicants must have adequate TOEFL/IELTS and GRE/GMAT scores.
• Confirmation of enrollment in an accredited international university is required.
• Family income should be below ₹5 lakhs per year.
• Awardees must enroll in university classes within one year of admission.
• For Post Graduation: 60% marks or equivalent in relevant fields.
• For Ph.D.: 60% marks or equivalent in a relevant postgraduate degree.
• Eligible countries: USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Germany, New Zealand, Japan, France, and South Korea.
• Once awarded, students cannot change their course or subject.
• 33% of scholarships are reserved for women each year.

Steps for Application:

• News and ads about the scholarship are published in newspapers and on university websites. Notifications are available on the e-PASS portal in August/September and January/February.
• Students can apply for financial assistance from August 1 to September 30 and again from January 1 to February 28/29. Applications can be submitted on the “Telangana ePass” website.
• To apply, visit the homepage, click on “Overseas Scholarship Services,” select the “Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Minorities,” and click on ‘Registration.’ Fill out the form carefully and click ‘submit.’

The K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad

The K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad is a prestigious scholarship program founded by the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust in 1956. This scholarship aims to finance needy and meticulous Indian students to pursue postgraduate studies abroad by providing them with interest-free loan scholarships.

 The program is designed to help students achieve academic and professional achievements to promote social and economic development of an educated, intellectual, and empowered youth in a global arena.

Amount awarded	The top awardees are provided ten lakhs of financial assistance each. Others are given 5 lakhs worth of support. These scholarships are interest free scholarships loans.
Eligibility and selection criteria	Recent graduates Applicants must be Indian nationals. Applicants have a First Class degree or an equivalent diploma from a recognized university in India. Applicants must have secured an admission letter or have applied for admission to renowned international universities. The classes should start between August 2024 and February 2025. Contribution to society Academic merit Financial need Ambitions and future aspirations Other achievements
Name of scholarship programs	K. C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad Mahindra Search for Talent Scholarship K.C. Mahindra UWC Scholarship Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship (MAITS)
Site for application	https://www.kcmet.org/what-we-do-Scholarship-Grants.aspx
Documents needed	Academic transcripts, Confirmation of enrollment, Letter of recommendation, Statement of purpose, etc.

Central Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

These scholarships aim to provide equal opportunities for all for economic and educational development of Indian students with global exposure. 

This scholarship provides financial assistance to all sections of security, marginalised or economically deprived. 

• National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
• Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Program of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies
• Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
• K.C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
• Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

State Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

State governments in India offer financial support to students in pursuing their educational goals, extending their opportunities to a global level. These scholarships are designed to cater to the diverse communities, including those from economically weaker sections, minority communities, physically disabled students, and socially marginalised groups. Each state has its own set of government scholarships for studying abroad, tailored to address the specific educational challenges and problems faced by the students in the states.

These scholarships are designed for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other backward classes to access support for tuition fees, living expenses, allowances, and travel costs making higher education more accessible to neglected sections. Other states offering scholarships are Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha. This way, the state government promotes the all round government of the nation. 

• Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) Scholarships
• Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Vasatigruh Nirvah Bhatta (Maharashtra)
• Karnataka Minority Development Corporation (KMDC) Scholarships
• Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department Program
• Rajasthan Scheduled Castes Development Corporation (RSCDC) Scholarships
• YSR Vidyonnathi Scheme in Andhra Pradesh
• Ambedkar Overseas Vidyanidhi scheme

Other Scholarships

Institutional government scholarships provide higher education opportunities in top international universities to Indian students. This promotes a higher quality educational development of Indian students for national development and future of the youth.

1) Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship 

This scholarship is a prestigious opportunity for Indian women graduates who wish to pursue higher education abroad in fields like social work, public health, and education in international settings.

2) Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships 

The scholarships give access to opportunities in top universities/colleges in the UK, USA, and Europe for Indian students. In this way, they achieve their maximum potential in higher education studies. 

Conclusion

The scholarships award merit and academic excellence, helping students to gain international exposure and skills from a global perspective. 

The scholarship and financial aid programs are dedicated to a better future and equal opportunities for all. The National Scholarship Portal of the government of India is an initiative of Digital India.

The Indian government makes efforts for equal opportunities for economic and educational development of Indian students with global exposure. 

This scholarship provides financial assistance to all sections of lower status, marginalised or economically deprived. These opportunities are spreading wings, widening and developing the prospect of education for Indian students.

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FAQ Regarding “Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad”

Does the Indian government provide scholarships for international studies? 

Yes. The government is making efforts for financial security of international students of Indian nationality. This is developing minorities and increasing the quality of higher education.

This is encouraging students to achieve their full potential and dreams by giving access to economically deprived and socially backward. The scholarships are for undergraduates, Scholarships for studying abroad by the Indian government for SC students, research scholars and postgraduates, the award ranging from thousands of rupees to 10 lakhs. 

How can I get a 100% scholarship to study abroad?

The different types of scholarships are merit-based, sports or extracurricular achievements, leadership and community service, need-based, and professional experience. 

The 100% funded scholarships for international study are:

• Fulbright Program
• Gates Cambridge Program
• Rhodes Scholarship
• Chevening Scholarship
• Australia Awards Scholarships

What are the types of Indian govt scholarship to study abroad?

Are there private scholarships to study abroad?

Yes, there are some private scholarships to study abroad listed below:

• Fund for Education Abroad 
• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships Program
• CIEE Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants
• School for International Training Scholarships
• GoAbroad Scholarships

Do I have to spend money after receiving a scholarship?

Yes. It depends on your circumstances and conditions of the scholarship program. If the program lasts the entire duration of the course of study, if it covers all expenses like living costs, and if the program covers entire tuition fees. If the scholarship is a loan program, then you may have to pay it back with or without interest.