Indian Government Scholarship For Abroad Studies

Studying abroad is a dream for many students, offering a chance to experience new cultures and world-class education. However, the cost of studying in another country can seem like a major hurdle. Luckily, the Government of India scholarship to study abroad is here to help. This blog highlights scholarships from the Indian government, aimed at supporting students financially for their overseas education. Covering tuition, living expenses, travel, and insurance, these scholarships make studying abroad achievable. Whether you're aiming for a master's or a PhD, there's support to help you reach your academic dreams without the financial worry. Let's explore how these scholarships can open doors to your international education goals.

Scholarships for Studying Abroad by Indian Government

Does Indian Government give scholarships for studying abroad? - this is a question that is often asked when an Indian student plans to study abroad. The answer is yes, there are Indian government scholarships for abroad studies. There are several scholarships, but some of the top scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government after graduation are provided here. Below is a table that shows the names of these scholarships and associated benefits. Later these scholarships are explained in detail. 

Scholarship Name	Benefits
Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships	Educational expenses Cost of living Travel funds Support for J-1 visa Insurance for accidents and illness
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships	Assistance with J-1 visa Monthly allowance Health and accident insurance Round-trip economy airfare support
National Overseas Scholarship	One-time payment of 15,400 USD Educational expenses Textbook costs Flight expenses Living expenses Health insurance Visa charges
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree	Monthly allowance of 1,100 to 1,200 EUR Tuition coverage Library access Insurance Additional benefits
Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship	Provision of approximately 30,000 EUR Includes reimbursement for flight costs
Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies	Interest subsidy on educational loans.

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Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships

The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are granted to exceptional Indian students pursuing an MS in the US. This government of India scholarship to study abroad is designed to cultivate future leaders and professionals committed to serving their communities' well-being.

Areas of study: Arts and Culture Management including Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies; 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.

Duration: 1 - 2 years

Type: Merit-based & Need-based

Eligibility: 

Bachelor's degree with 55%

3 years experience

Community service

 Bachelor's degree with 55%

Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships

The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships support Indian scholars registered for a Ph.D. at an Indian institution to conduct research essential to their dissertations/thesis in the US. This initiative aims to foster bilateral research collaborations and enhance scholarly exchange between India and the US.

Area of Study: Agricultural Sciences, Anthropology, Bioengineering, Chemistry, and Computer Science, covering cyber security, digital economy, quantum computing, and more.

Duration: 6 - 9 months

Type: Merit-based

Eligibility:

PhD registered at an Indian institute

Need to submit Ph.D. thesis

National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship is an Indian government scholarship for abroad studies designed to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from specific marginalized communities in India, facilitating their pursuit of higher education abroad. This scholarship aims to uplift students who are part of Scheduled Castes, denotified nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, landless agricultural laborers, and traditional artisans, by enabling them to attain advanced knowledge and skills from universities overseas.

Areas of study: Engineering and Management; Pure Sciences and Applied Sciences; Agricultural Sciences and Medicine; International Commerce, Accounting, and Finance; and Humanities and Social Sciences.

Duration: Up to 2 years for Masters and 3 years for Ph.D., subject to the actual duration of the program.

Type: Merit-based & Need-based

Eligibility:

Must be from specified marginalized communities

Minimum 60% in qualifying exams

Age limit of 35 years

Family income within government limits

Admission is secured or in process at accredited institutions abroad

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree

The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs) are prestigious, integrated, international study programs delivered by consortia of higher education institutions from different countries around the world. These scholarships aim to foster excellence, innovation, and internationalization in higher education. EMJMDs provide opportunities for students worldwide to pursue high-quality master's level education in various fields while experiencing study and research in at least two different countries within the program.

Areas of study: A wide range of disciplines are covered, including but not limited to Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

Duration: 1-2 years, depending on the specific program and study cycle.

Type: Merit-based

Eligibility:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Meet the language requirements of the host universities

Can be of any nationality (programs encourage applications from all over the world)

Specific requirements may vary by program

Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

The Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is an esteemed grant sponsored by the Government of India, designed primarily for Indian scholars who wish to pursue academic research in the field of Modern Indian Studies in areas like History, Economics, and Political Science thus it is considered under Indian government scholarship for abroad studies. This fellowship is hosted exclusively at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford, UK, providing a unique opportunity for scholars to engage deeply with their subjects in one of the world's leading academic environments.

Areas of study: Modern Indian Studies with a focus on History, Economics, and Political Science.

Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of extension based on performance.

Type: Merit-based

Eligibility:

Indian nationals with excellent academic records

Ages 30 to 40

Ph.D. in relevant field

Scholarly publications

Minimum 3 years teaching at graduate/postgraduate level or industry experience

Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy

The Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies is a government initiative that provides financial support to economically weaker sections of Indian society to pursue higher education abroad. Though it is not directly considered as an Indian government scholarship for abroad studies but it is an initiative that helps to reduce interest on education loans indirectly helping you in your higher education. This scheme specifically targets students from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), enabling them to undertake postgraduate courses in recognized institutions overseas without the burden of interest during the period of their study.

Areas of study: The scheme supports a wide array of subjects and fields of study available at the postgraduate level, including but not limited to Engineering, Management, Pure Sciences, Applied Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Medicine, Commerce, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Duration: The interest subsidy is provided for the duration of the course plus one year or six months after getting a job, whichever is earlier.

Type: Need-based

Eligibility:

Belong to SCs/OBCs

Family income within government limits

Admission to a postgraduate course abroad

A loan from a scheduled bank under the IBA scheme

Other Prominent Scholarships

Now that you have seen all the top Indian government scholarship for abroad studies, there are a few more prominent scholarships that are worth mentioning because when you search for scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government you will come across these on different websites. So, to make it easy for you we have compiled a list for you. These scholarships are - 

Scholarship Name	Benefits
The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships	Up to $100,000 for tuition and living expenses Specific allowances for travel costs Opportunity for study at top international universities
The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust	Financial support for studies abroad Focus on women and children's welfare Encourages Indian women for higher education Supports social work, public health, education fields
Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program	Interest-free loans up to INR 20 lakhs Study at top institutions worldwide Wide discipline support Mentoring from experts
Aga Khan Foundation - International Scholarship Programme (ISP)	Grants and scholarships for postgraduate studies 50% scholarship, 50% loan basis Assistance for living expenses and tuition

Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships

The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships are awarded to highly talented Indian students to pursue higher education or professional training at top American, European, and UK institutions. These scholarships aim to identify and support exceptional individuals who demonstrate potential to contribute significantly to their chosen fields and society at large.

Areas of study: Various, excluding Engineering, Computer Science, Business Studies, Medicine, Public Health, Fashion Design, Music, and Film Animation.

Duration: Up to 2 years, depending on the program.

Type: Merit-based

Eligibility:

Indian resident

Under 30 years of age

Hold a first-class undergraduate degree

Have been admitted to a prestigious institution

The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship

The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship is designed for Indian women graduates who wish to pursue higher education abroad. The scholarship focuses on supporting outstanding women to achieve excellence in their respective fields, particularly in areas that contribute to the advancement of society.

Areas of study: Social Work, Social Sciences, Education, Education & Welfare of Children with Special Needs, Gender Studies, Child Health, Development, Public Health, Rural Development Work, and Environmental Sciences.

Duration: Varies based on the chosen program.

Type: Merit-based

Eligibility:

Indian women

Graduate with a strong academic record

Demonstrated experience in related fields

Admission to a recognized university abroad

Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program

The Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program offers merit-based interest-free loan scholarships to Indian students with a high academic standing, aspiring to pursue postgraduate studies in prestigious institutes in India and abroad.

Areas of study: Pure Sciences, Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Law, Architecture, and Management.

Duration: Up to 2 years, depending on the course.

Type: Merit-based, Loan Scholarship

Eligibility:

Indian nationals

Under 30 years of age

Graduated with a first-class degree

Secured admission to a high-ranked institution

Aga Khan Foundation - International Scholarship Programme (ISP)

The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from select developing countries who have no other means of financing their education. The ISP is dedicated to effective development in the fields of education and culture with an emphasis on scholarships awarded for study outside one's home country.

Areas of study: Open to a wide range of disciplines except for undergraduate studies, medical degrees, and PhDs.

Duration: For the length of the graduate program.

Type: Need-based

Eligibility:

Nationals of AKF's target countries

Excellent academic records

Admission to a reputable institution of higher education

Demonstrate financial need

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Application Procedure of India Government Scholarships

Step 1: Choose Your Preferred Scholarship

Begin by researching and selecting the scholarship, fellowship, grant, or other financial aid options that align with your academic goals and needs. Make sure to visit the official websites of the scholarships for the most accurate and updated information.

Step 2: Check Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria vary for different scholarships. Typically, you will need to meet specific requirements in the following areas:

Academic Excellence: Most scholarships require a strong academic background. Ensure you have the necessary grades or scores.

Financial Background: You must provide documentation proving that you cannot afford to study abroad without financial aid.

Only proceed if you meet all the eligibility requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Essential Documents

Gather all necessary documents for your application. These requirements may vary depending on the scholarship, country, university, or program. Generally, you will need the following:

1. Class 10th Board Certificate

2. Caste/Community Certificate

3. Photograph

4. Scanned Signature

5. Address Proof (both current and permanent)

6. Qualifying Degree/Provisional Certificate

7. Mark Sheet of Qualifying Examination

8. Valid Document Regarding Admission to a Foreign University (application, registration, or admission-related document)

9. Income Certificate

10. NOC Certificate (if the applicant is employed)

11. Gap Certificate

12. ITR Acceptance Document

Step 4: Review Application Requirements

Thoroughly review the specific application requirements and guidelines provided on the official website of the scholarship you are applying for. Ensure you understand all instructions before proceeding.

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Complete the application form, ensuring that all information is accurate and that you have attached all required documents. Submit the application through the official portal or as directed by the scholarship guidelines.

Step 6: Follow-Up

After submission, keep track of your application status. You may need to check your email or the scholarship portal regularly for any updates or additional requirements.

Step 7: Await Decision

Wait for the scholarship committee to review your application. This process can take several weeks or months. If selected, follow the instructions provided for the next steps.

Additional Tips

Stay Informed: Regularly check the official website of your chosen scholarship for any updates or changes in the application process.

Be Organized: Keep all your documents well-organized and readily accessible for any further verification or submission.

Seek Guidance: If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the scholarship provider for clarification.

As we wrap up this overview of government scholarships for students, it's clear that these financial aids are invaluable for students aiming to pursue higher education on a global stage. They significantly lower the financial hurdles, making international learning experiences more accessible. Remember to explore further scholarships on the GyanDhan portal to find the one that best suits your academic journey. Additionally, don't limit yourself to scholarships alone; Check your education loan eligibility for the best education loan options on GyanDhan to ensure you have all the resources you need for your overseas education. Take advantage of these opportunities to embark on an enriching academic adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions