The Government of India encourages foreign education in order to:

• Offering globally-recognized universities
• Provide support to financially vulnerable and disprivileged students
• Promote research and higher level of skills
• Develop an internationally competitive Indian labour force.

In general, most Indian Government scholarships to study abroad are directed towards Master’s, PhD and research programs to ensure long term academic and professional benefit.

Here are some of the top scholarships offered by the Indian government for studying abroad:

The National Overseas Scholarship is one of the popular government scholarships to study abroad.

Key features:

• Intended for SC/ST/OBC/Economically weaker candidates
• Sponsor Master and PhD programs outside the country

Financial coverage includes:

• Tuition fees
• Living expenses
• Medical insurance
• Travel allowance

This scheme pursues global perspective in education for equity.

Ministry of Education India, lists various external scholarships inviting Indian students to pursue foreign studies through their official resources.

These schemes generally offer:

• Postgraduate, doctoral and research funding
• Centralised online application processes
• Merit-based and need-based selection

Students who are looking for Indian government funded scholarships to study out of India must keep a check on these official notifications.

Under Indo-Foreign Agreements, Indian government partners with various foreign governments to extend financial help and bilateral scholarships for studying abroad.

Highlights include:

• Government-to-government partnerships
• Fully or partially funded study abroad opportunities
• Openings in science engineering humanities medicine and the arts

Many Indian states have their own state government scholarships to help students of that region for studying abroad.

Common benefits:

• Tuition fee, provide living allowance
• Masters and doctorate coverage
• Income-based and merit-based eligibility criteria

Schemes on state-level dramatically increase the opportunity for global education like courses of study appeal to eligible students who can apply.

Indian students in higher research can avail government fellowships for studies abroad.

These programs:

• Assist graduate or postdoctoral study abroad
• Encourage innovation and international collaboration
• Pay monthly pocket money and educational expenses
• Fellowships of this type are perfect for any student who wants to pursue academia or research.

Although requirements will differ, typical eligibility criteria are:

• Indian citizenship
• Admission to a Foreign University which is Recognized
• Strong academic performance
• Income limits (for need-based scholarships)
• Category-specific eligibility, where applicable

It is through eligibility that one will realize whether she or he can really apply for Indian government scholarships to study abroad as these types of scholarship awards have certain restrictions.

• Shortlist suitable government scholarships
• Keep an eye on official applications and deadlines
• Only apply through authorised sites on the web
• Prepare key documents such as:
• Academic transcripts
• University offer letter
• Income and category certificates
• Passport and identity proof
• Prepare early for getting funded by government scholarships for Indian students studying abroad.

1. Are Indian government scholarships for studying abroad fully-funded scholarships?

They can either be partially or fully funded.

2. Can undergraduate students apply?

As it can be seen, most scholarships are meant for post-grad and research scholars, and therefore the undergraduate scholars need to go through these criteria before applying.

3. Must I be admitted to the university before coming to the graduate school?

Yes, all scholarships given by the Indian government require applicants to be already admitted.

4. Are government international scholarships competitive?

Of course, the scholarships for studies are offered based on eligibility and the availability of funds.

5. Can a person try applying for a few scholarships?

Yes, but they can only borrow funds from one source.