Top 7 Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad!

In India, Government scholarships like Fulbright-Nehru Masters fellowship, National Overseas Scholarships, JN Tata Endownment, offer financial assistance to Indian students for studying abroad. These schemes cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs. Most Indian students desire to study at world’s top universities like Howard, Stamford, MIT, etc. But they couldn’t able to fulfill their dream due to their financial reasons. Hence the Government of India offers various scholarships to pursue higher studies abroad. Most of the scholarships are for Research, Master’s, and Doctoral studies.

If you are planning to study abroad and looking for details of government scholarship programs, you are at the right place! In this article, we will walk you through all the types of scholarships available, eligibility, duration, benefits covered, and ways to apply for each scholarship. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

• 7 Scholarships by Indian Government to study abroad
• International Scholarships for Indian Students: Country-wise
• Summary of Top 7 Government Scholarships by Indian Government that help you Study Abroad
• Documents Required for Indian Government Scholarships
• What is the difference between scholarships and student loans?
• FAQS

Important Note: 1. Please Note that Kanan International offers you expert advice on scholarships but doesn't offer them directly. 2. Also Please note that scholarships solely cover tuition fees but not personal living expenses.

7 Scholarships by Indian Government to Study abroad

List of top 7 scholarships for studying abroad by the Indian government are:

1. Fulbright- Nehru Master’s Fellowship
2. National Overseas Scholarship
3. JN Tata Endowment award
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
5. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
6. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship
7. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

The Indian government has been offering these scholarships for many years to the students to fulfill their dreams. Let’s explore each of these government scholarships in India, ideal for students planning to study abroad.

1. Fulbright- Nehru Master’s Fellowship

The Fulbright- Nehru Master’s Fellowship is designed to offer Indian students an outstanding opportunity to pursue Master’s degree programs at selected universities and colleges in the USA. These fellowships are awarded for up to two years for highly motivated students having leadership qualities, who have a U.S. equivalent bachelor’s degree, and holding 3 years of professional experience. The number of grants awarded varies yearly, in 2023-24, 350 fellowships were granted to Indian applicants. The upcoming application deadline to apply for 2024-25 is May 15, 2024.

Type of scholarship: Merit-based and Need-based

Valid for: 1-2 years

Areas of study: Arts and Culture Management including Heritage Conservation and Museum Studies,  Environmental Science, Economics, Higher Education Administration, International Legal Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, International Affairs, Public Health, Public Administration, Women’s Studies/ Gender Studies, Urban and Regional Planning.

Benefits Covered

• Funding of tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs.
• Provide J-1 Visa Support
• Covers economic class round-trip airfare from the student’s hometown to the United States (US).
• Accident and Sickness coverage as per the U.S. Government guidelines.

Note: The Fulbright- Nehru Master’s fellowship does not provide financial support for dependents.

Eligibility Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree from an Indian University with a minimum of 55%.
• Full-time (paid) professional work experience of 3 years related to the specific field of study.
• Working employees who apply for this scholarship must follow the employer’s endorsement instructions carefully.
• Candidates must not have another degree from any US university.
• Should demonstrate experience in community service and leadership.

Fulbright- Nehru Master’s Fellowship: How to apply?

• Students must submit Fellowship Applications online via: https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025/
• Please carefully read the FNMaster’s Applicant instructions before starting your online application.
• And, Kindly refer to FNMaster’s Applicant Checklist before submitting the application.
• In addition, You must complete and upload these documents: FNMaster’s Applicant Annexure and FNMaster’s Employer’s Endorsement.

Note: 
Other than the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship, the Indian Government collaborated with the same foundation to provide two other scholarships. They are:

• Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship for Indian Ph.D. students.
• Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships for Indian Ph.D. students.

2. National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) scheme was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for SC, ST candidates to improve their economic and social status. This scholarship helps to facilitate low-income students who belong to the category of Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans to study Master’s degrees, Ph.D., and post-doctoral courses in any field in the US, UK, Australia, Germany, etc. It is one of the popular Indian Government scholarships to study abroad. The application deadlines for this scheme will generally be in March. For the 2023-24 selection year, 125 fresh NOS awards were granted.

Type of Scholarship: Need-based

Valid for: 2 years

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

Benefits Covered

• University tuition fees, visa fees, book costs, and student living expenses.
• Premium Medical Insurance
• Poll tax
• Covers air ticket fare and incidental journey allowance
• Contingency allowance

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates with age-limit 35 years, as on the first day of April of the selection year are eligible.
• To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must have scored at least 60% of marks or equivalent grades in the qualifying examination. To pursue a Master’s Degree, the qualifying examination is a Bachelor’s degree and to study Ph.D. courses, the qualifying examination is a Master’s degree.
• The total family income from all the sources should not exceed Rs. 8 lakh per annum in the last financial year.
• The Scholarship can be granted up to a maximum of two family members.
• For female candidates, 30% of the seats are reserved.
• During the first round of selection, Candidates having unconditional admission offers to the top 500 ranked foreign institutions/ universities as per the latest available QS ranking will only be selected for the scholarship grant.

Note: Bachelor’s level courses in any discipline are not covered under this scheme.

National Overseas Scholarships: How to Apply?

• Candidates after checking their eligibility and suitability as per the eligibility conditions of the scheme guidelines, applications must be submitted online at: https://nosmsje.gov.in/nosmsje/studentregister# before the established deadline.
• Candidates are advised to fill in all the requisite details like Name, mobile number, e-mail, etc. carefully as no correction/editing is allowed after submission.
• Upon successful submission, an Application Registration Number is received.
• During the application process, the Ministry requires all students to upload the following documents: Date of Birth proof, Family Income certificate, College/University offer letter, and all degree/diploma/certificate mark sheets.

Latest News: TN Govt Scholarships supports SC/ST students to study abroad The Tamil Nadu Adi Dravida Welfare Department’s revamped scholarship programme now offers SC/ST students up to ‘36 lakhs annually, covering tuition, living expenses, air tickets, and visa costs. "I reapplied, got admission again, and could join with govt support”, says Nivethitha, who is pursuing an MSc in coastal hazards, risks and climate change impacts at IHE Delft.

3. The JN Tata Endowment – Higher Education of Indians

The JN Tata Endowment award is a one-time loan scholarship program for Indian students to pursue full-time Postgraduate studies, Ph.D., Postdoctoral, and Research fellowships in countries like the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, etc. The loan amount ranges from INR 1 lakh to INR 10 lakh at 2% annual interest.  It doesn’t cover the full study cost but the scholars may get a partial travel grant of up to INR 50,000. The selection process takes place in three stages- initial screening, online test, and an interview. The online test is not subject-specific, mostly based on the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). While the technical interview is rigorous and examines the applicant’s knowledge of current and future subjects they’re about to study. Every year, applications open in mid-January and last till March. The final selection depends on the performance in these stages and the selected candidates list will be released in July. So far more than 5700 Indian students have been awarded this loan scholarship since its establishment in 1892.

Type of Scholarship: One-time loan, need-based, destination-based

Valid for: entire course duration

Areas of study: Across all the disciplines. Biology, Computer Science, Counselling, Economics, Design, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Health & Health Care, Mathematics, Media & Technology, Medical, Neuroscience, Operations Research, Pharmacy, Physics, Psychology, Pure Sciences, Public Administration, Security & Intelligence.

Benefits Covered

• The scholarship loan amount ranges between INR 1,00,000 and INR 10,00,000.
• Partial travel allowance of up to INR 50,000.
• Gift Scholarship worth INR 2,00,000 to INR 7,50,000. They are offered based on academic performance at their chosen university to study abroad.

Note: The loan scholarship agreement is for 7 years. Recipients must repay loan scholarship in 5 installments of 20% between the 3rd and 7th years, starting earlier if earning.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be an Indian citizen with an age below 45 years.
• Requires an undergraduate degree from a recognized Indian university with a minimum of 60% aggregate marks. 
• Candidates who failed to avail of loan scholarships previously are also eligible to apply.
• Applicants beginning their studies or in the second year of their education in an abroad university for 2-year courses are also eligible to apply. The course must be a recognized graduate program.

The JN Tata Endowment Higher Education of Indians: How to apply?

• Candidates must register themselves using their personal email address at: https://application.jntataendowment.org/TataEndowment/index.jsp
• Upon successful registration, applicants can log in and fill out the application form without leaving any field blank.
• To finish the entire application process, candidates must upload scanned copies of documents listed here: Aadhar card, Academic Transcripts, SOP, LOR. The application will be considered complete only if you submit all these documents.

4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are the study programs at the Master’s level with fully funded scholarships to pursue integrated master’s programs. These are funded by the  European Union (EU) and administered by an international partnership of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It involves at least 3 HEIs from three different countries (2 EU), allowing students to get a chance to study in at least 2 European countries. The scholarship covers air travel, tuition fees, insurance premiums, and living expenses, but the amount depends on the country and the course selected. For the starting academic year 2023-24, 174 Indian students, with over 50% being women, received the prestigious Erasmus Mundus scholarships for the degree programs. Each year applications open in October and end in December, with results being declared the following March.

Type of Scholarship: Merit-based, fully funded
Valid for: 1-2 years
Areas of Study: Business Management, Psychology, Nursing and Health, Archaeology, and more.

Benefits Covered

• Full tuition fee
• Monthly stipend of up to 1500 Euros
• Travel allowance and round-trip airfare
• Job visa after you complete your Master’s/ Ph.D.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and a related work experience.
• Applicants shouldn’t have lived more than a year in any European country in the last five years.
• The candidate should not have received a similar scholarship under the Erasmus Mundus Action 2 scheme.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree: How to apply?

• To submit the scholarship application form visit the official website of Erasmus+.
• Click on Opportunities> Opportunities for Individuals>
• Opportunities for Students> Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees.
• See the program catalogue and select the course. This will give you all the information you need.
• Fill out the application form and send it directly to the coordinator. Along with this, you need to submit your academic transcripts, LOR, proof of Nationality, and Residency proof.

5. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

Administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is a fully funded Indian Government scholarship program. It primarily targets students interested in pursuing careers related to History, Economics, and Political Science. Every year only one candidate is selected to study at St. Antony College, Oxford University London. The status of the candidate would be similar to that of a Junior Research fellow at the University of Oxford. The fellowship lasts for 1 year and can be extendable by one more year based on the candidate’s performance. The Ministry does not invite fresh applications for if the fellowship of the past applicant is extended a year. Applications usually open in January and the selection process involves an interview. The shortlisted candidates for interview are given on the website of the Ministry in March.

Type of Scholarship: Merit-based
Valid for: 1 year (can be extended up to one more year based on academic performance)
Included Area of Study: History, Economics, and Political Science

Benefits Covered

• Economy class round trip airfare for the candidate and also spouse (provided if the spouse stays in the U.K. for 1 year with the scholar) borne by the Government of India.
• A stipend of 29,347 pounds
• Travel allowance
• College lunch allowance
• Administration charges

Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must be a permanent Indian citizen of 30 to 40 years of age.
• The candidates must have scored a minimum of 60 % in post graduation.
• The candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in a particular discipline or published work of equal merit. The candidate's specialization must be in History, Economics, or Political Science.
• The candidate should possess at least 3 years of teaching experience at the Graduate or Postgraduate level.

Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship: How to apply?

• The applications are accepted online. Prospective applicants have to register at the official MHRD website: https://proposal.sakshat.ac.in/scholarship/index.php/scholarship/scholarship-user/home
• After filling out the application, candidates should submit attested copies of testimonials, the program of study, and photographs. The remaining specified documents should be submitted on plain paper.
• Employed persons must send their applications duly sponsored through their employer.
• The website of the Ministry publishes information updates regarding this fellowship.
• The shortlisted candidates receive an e-mail regarding the interview.

6. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship

The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust grants merit-based scholarships, especially to Indian women graduates to support their tuition fees to pursue higher education abroad. This scholarship is given every year to 10 academically bright women to study post-graduation in foreign universities. To be considered for the scholarship, the shortlisted candidates must attend an online or personal interview with the board of trustees. Based on their performance in the interview, the selected candidate will receive scholarship awards of INR 3,60,000 as a tuition fee component. The selected candidate must submit a ‘Financial Capacity’ document copy, reflecting her ability to support her education. Every year applications usually open in March and close in April.

Type of Scholarship: Merit-based, destination-based

Valid for: 1-2 years depending on the duration of the program
Included Areas of Study: Sociology, Psychology, Law (specialization in women and children-related issues), Education, Gender studies (Indian women concerning domestic violence and other issues), Mental health, Child health, Public health, Needs of adolescents, Communication for development, Rural development, Community development, Public Policy, Public Administration, and Social work in areas such as Women in Prison.

Benefits Covered

• A gift scholarship of INR 3-6 lakhs towards the tuition fee.
• Women benefits

Eligibility Criteria

• The candidate must be a female Indian national with an age limit of 21-35.
• Candidates should be graduated from a recognized university with an excellent academic record.
• Candidates who have applied or secured admission to a reputed university in the US, UK, or Europe are eligible.
• Candidates need to have a minimum of two years of relevant paid work experience.

Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship: How to apply?

• The application process involves submitting documents and filling application forms.
• Candidates must request a link to download the application form.
• For the link to download an application form, Candidates must send an email to the specified email ID: - [email protected]
• Students should send an email giving the requested information: Name of the course, University you want to apply to, Reason for applying, the status of your admission, sources through which your study will be funded, and 4-5 lines what you are currently studying/doing.
• Candidates also need to upload the letter they received from the college/university in response to the request for admission.

Note: Candidates pursuing part-time courses, short-term courses, correspondence courses, exchange programs, undergraduate courses, distance learning, and those who have yet to receive their final bachelor’s degree mark sheets or have already commenced their studies abroad or are proceeding to countries besides those mentioned above, are NOT eligible to apply.

7. Great Scholarships

The GREAT (Global Research and Education in Advanced Technologies) scholarships are jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain campaign and the British Council with participating UK universities to encourage International students to pursue higher studies in the United Kingdom. This program provides financial support to applicants who wish to pursue postgraduate programs in any of the participating UK universities. There are around 26 postgraduate scholarships available for Indian students across varied subjects for the academic year 2024-25. The scholarship duration is typically one year for master’s programs and three years for doctoral programs. The application deadline will be generally between April and May.

Type of Scholarship: Destination-based, merit-based, one-time scholarship

Valid for: 1 year

Area of Study: Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Social Science, STEM courses, and Architecture.

Benefits Covered

• Scholarship worth a minimum of £10,000 towards tuition fees for a one-year postgraduate course.
• Health allowance
• Living expenses
• One-way travel allowance

Note: GREAT scholarship covers full tuition fees for one-year postgraduate programs and for two-year masters programs it covers tuition fees only for the first year.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidate has to be an Indian citizen and  resident in India for the past six months
• Candidates must have completed a UG degree from a recognized Indian university.
• A minimum academic grade of 70% is required if the candidate opts for mathematics, Science, and related studies.
• A minimum of 65% academic grade is required if the candidate opts for humanities, law, fine arts, social sciences, and architecture.
• English Language test scores are required.
• Work or academic experience in your chosen field of study.

Great Scholarships: How to apply?

• Applications for the Great Scholarship can be made only through participating UK higher education institutions.
• Open the British Council’s website-India: https://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk/scholarships/great-scholarships
• Visit the universities page and follow the link through to the University’s website.
• Start applying for individual scholarships by following the instructions given on each university scholarship web page.
• Application deadlines for GREAT scholarships vary according to each university. Applicants need to visit the concerned universities website to see deadline details.
• Individual universities will inform the successful scholars of their application result and scholarship funding will be issued after registration.

Hence, these are the Indian Government scholarships for studying abroad. These scholarships have always provided students with a medium to fulfill their dreams of studying abroad.

International Scholarships for Indian Students: Country-wise

In addition to these Government-funded scholarship schemes, there are numerous international scholarships open for Indian students for academic assistance overseas. We have categorized detailed pages bifurcating scholarships country-wise, making it easier for you to select one based on your targeted country. Here they are

• Scholarships in Canada for Indian students
• UK Scholarships for Indian Students
• Scholarships for Indian students in USA
• Scholarships for Indian students in Germany
• Scholarships in Australia for Indian students

Abroad universities generally give scholarships and financial aid to international students. You must check with the concerned university website for more information. Apart from this, few scholarships were given by private organizations in India as well as abroad.

Summary of Top 7 Indian Government Scholarships that help you Study Abroad

S.No	Scholarship Name	Benefits Covered	Stipened/ Amount Granted
1	Fulbright- Nehru Master’s Fellowship	Tuition fees, living expenses, & other related expenses, J1 visa support, round trip air travel (economy class), Accident and sickness coverage.	USD$ 25,000
2	National Overseas Scholarship	Visa fees, Tuition fees, book costs, living expenses, medical insurance(premium), poll tax, maintenance fee, Contingency allowance, Air tickets, and incidental journey allowance.	US$ 15,400
3	The JN Tata Endowment - Higher Education of Indians	Loan ranging from INR 1,00,000 to 10,00,000. Travel assistance (up to INR 50,000). Gift avert worth INR 2 lakhs to INR 7.5 lakhs.	INR 1 lakh to 10 lakhs
4	Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree	Monthly stipend up to 24 months, full tuition fees, travelling allowance, job visa after finishing Master’s/Ph.D., and round trip air travel.	€1,100 to €1,500 per month
5	Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship	Stipend for 1 year, round trip air travel in economy class, Travel and college lunch allowance, Administration charges.	£29347
6	Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship	Tuition fees, Women's benefits	INR 3 lakhs to INR 6 lakhs
7	Great Scholarships	Tuition fees, Health allowance, One-way travel, and living expenses.	GBP 10,000

While these Indian government scholarships offered for studying abroad may be competitive, they hold the power to change the lives of students, especially those having financial constraints. When it comes to accessing global opportunities, I feel scholarships are not at a disadvantage they pave the way for your study abroad dreams. Chase your Study overseas dreams, and discover the world! We are here to help you. All the best!

Documents Required for Indian Government Scholarships 

The documents required to apply for a scholarship can vary depending on the scheme, country, university, or program you are applying for. Given below are the general requirements:

• Board Certificate of Class 10
• Qualifying degree/ Provisional Certificate
• Marksheets of the qualifying exam
• Caste/ Community Certificate
• Scanned Signature
• Photograph
• Your current & Permanent address proof
• Proof of document regarding admission to a foreign university (Letter of Acceptance)
• Income Certificate
• NOC Certificate, if the applicant is employed
• Gap Certificate (if any)
• ITR acceptance document

These are the basic requirements. You can also refer to the official website of your preferred scholarship to learn about the additional documents required and regarding the scheme’s updated information.

What is the difference between Scholarships and Student Loans? 

Scholarships and Student loans are two distinct forms of financial aid for college. The main distinction between them is scholarships are merit-based awards that do not need to be repaid. In contrast, student loans are borrowed money that must be repaid, usually with interest after completing degrees.

Scholarships are granted to a deserving candidate based on academic performance or other achievements (sports, extracurriculars, etc.). Student loans can be taken from government bodies or major banks. However, most banks offer these loans at very high interest rates, making them less feasible for students. This is where collateral-free loans from various organizations come in. The advantage of collateral-free loans over traditional student loans is that they can be secured without a guarantee or pledge.

Wrapping Up 

Scholarships, fellowships, and other financial aid are excellent solutions for managing financial burdens while studying abroad, and the best part is that they don't need to be repaid. These scholarships and grants are usually awarded based on a student's needs, merit, and social status.

Indian government scholarships aim to provide students of India with opportunities to study at foreign universities. Although the registration and approval process can be rigorous, completing the formalities and obtaining the grant make it all worthwhile.

Now let’s see some of the most frequently asked questions about government scholarships for studying abroad.

FAQS

1. Does the Indian Government Scholarship give scholarship to study abroad?

Yes. Some of the Indian Government scholarships to study abroad are Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship, the National Overseas Scholarship, The JN Tata Endowment Higher Education for Indians, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree, Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship, Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship, and Great Scholarships. They provide financial assistance to Indian students, enabling them to pursue higher education at top QS World Ranking universities.

 2. What are the types of Indian government scholarships?

The Indian Government scholarships are categorized into the following types: Merit-based, Student-Centric, Based on Destination, Specific Subjects, For Athletes, and according to their needs. There are numerous scholarships provided by the government of India for deserving students to pursue their foreign studies.

3. How to get Scholarship to study abroad for Indian students?

Here are tips to get scholarship to study abroad:

• There are numerous general and university-specific scholarships for various countries and courses. Research well about them
• Note down your scholarship-specific details like what course, in which country, and minimum amount you need to study.
• Be clear about your target country and course. Refer to the official scholarship offering body for authentic information (which is not outdated and inaccurate).
• Analyze your academic marks and apply for the probable scholarships to avoid rejection and future disappointment.

4. What are the scholarships to study abroad after 12th?

Some of the scholarships to study abroad after 12th are Tata scholarships, Inlaks Scholarships, Erasmus scholarships, GREAT scholarships,and Felix scholarships. A minimum of 60% marks in 12th are required to study abroad with scholarships. Research the specific requirements of the program you are interested in to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

5. What are the scholarships for Masters abroad?

The scholarships to pursue Masters abroad are Fulbright Nehru scholarships, Erasmundu scholarships, Australia Awards scholarships, Chevening scholarships, and Cornell University Tata scholarships. They give the much-needed financial aid required to lessen the burden of tuition fees and living expenses that a domestic student wishing to study abroad faces.

6. Do I need to spend money after getting a scholarship?

Scholarships usually cover tuition fees and living expenses, and sometimes travel, and insurance costs of a study abroad student. However, you may need to still use your money for your personal needs and other special necessities.