Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Indian government funds overseas scholarships for Master’s, PhD, and select research programs through schemes like the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS), Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, and the Dr. Ambedkar Interest Subsidy Scheme. The best-funded schemes cover tuition, airfare, and living stipends of ₹15,000–₹1,50,000/month depending on the destination country.

Indian government scholarships to study abroad support talented individuals to study in top universities, as it will motivate more Indians to gain valuable skills and contribute back to Indian society. Considering the high number of Indians abroad, India has ties with foreign countries such as the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, France, and Italy. 

Read on and explore the top scholarships offered by the Indian government for studying abroad. It includes the National Overseas Scholarship scheme, Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship, and Fullbright scholarships and fellowships.

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How much does it cost to study abroad from India? 

Let’s start with the number that stops most Indian students cold.

A one-year Master’s program in the United States costs between ₹25–65 lakhs when you factor in tuition, housing, food, visa, and health insurance. The UK runs ₹22–45 lakhs. Even Germany often cited as “free” –  costs ₹8–18 lakhs once living expenses are included.

According to RBI data, education loan disbursements for overseas studies crossed ₹28,000 crore in FY2023–24. The average borrower graduates with debt equivalent to 4–6 years of a starting salary in India.

Government scholarships break this equation entirely. The National Overseas Scholarship, for example, provides approximately ₹15,400/month in the USA and ₹11,000/month in Germany on top of covering full tuition and a return airfare ticket. That’s not a discount. That’s the difference between going and not going.

What the Indian Government Offers

India funds overseas education through three channels:

Central government schemes: Funded by ministries (primarily MoSJE, MHRD, and MEA), these are the highest-value and most competitive scholarships. They include NOS, Fulbright-Nehru, and Ambedkar schemes.

Bilateral and international partnerships: India co-funds or nominates candidates for programs like the Commonwealth Scholarships (UK), DAAD (Germany), and Erasmus Mundus (EU). The funds come from the foreign government but India controls who gets nominated.

State government schemes: 18+ Indian states run their own overseas scholarship programs. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh have the most robust schemes, offering ₹5–20 lakhs for select categories.

Together, these programs fund approximately 2,500–3,000 Indian students annually to study in ranked institutions worldwide.

National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)

• Governing ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) 
• Established: 1954 
• Annual intake: 115 slots (SC: 75, ST: 10, Denotified/Nomadic Tribes: 7, Landless Agricultural Labourers: 5, Traditional Artisans: 4, OBC: 14) 
• Level: Master’s and PhD only

What it covers

Component	Amount (USD, 2024–25 rates)
Monthly living allowance (USA/Canada/UK)	USD 1,349–1,575/month
Monthly living allowance (Europe/Australia)	USD 1,000–1,200/month
Tuition fees	Actual (paid directly to university)
Return economy airfare	Actuals (once at start, once at end)
Visa, medical insurance	Actuals, subject to limits
Contingency allowance	USD 500–600/year

Note: Amounts are revised periodically. Always verify against the current NSP notification.

Eligibility

• Indian citizen from SC, ST, OBC, Denotified/Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, or Traditional Artisan communities (category certificate required)
• Age: Below 35 years (for Master’s), below 40 years (for PhD) as of the application closing date
• Must have secured admission at a foreign university before applying (offer letter mandatory)
• Annual family income: Below ₹8 lakhs (combined all sources)
• Minimum 55% marks in the qualifying degree (50% for SC/ST)
• Only one scholarship per family at a time

Application window

Applications open on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) typically in January–February each year. The 2025–26 notification is expected in January 2026.

Selection process

Applications are screened by MoSJE. Shortlisted candidates appear before a selection committee. The committee assesses academic merit, financial need, the credibility of the admission offer, and the study plan. Approximately 1 in 6 applicants receives the award.

Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship: For US-Bound Students

• Administered by: United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) 
• Level: Master’s only (US universities) 
• Intake: Approximately 25–30 fellows per year 
• Application window: July 15 each year (for the following academic year)

The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship is India’s most prestigious award for graduate study in the United States. Unlike NOS, it is merit-based without income or category restrictions but it is significantly more competitive.

What it covers

Full J-1 visa sponsorship, economy airfare, tuition and required fees at the US institution, a monthly maintenance allowance (typically USD 2,000–2,500 depending on city), health insurance, and a book/equipment allowance.

Who it’s for

Students with outstanding academic records applying for a Master’s in USA at any field at a US university. USIEF prioritises candidates with demonstrated leadership, community impact, and a credible plan to apply their US education back in India.

A key distinction from NOS: you do not need a prior admission offer from a US university when you apply to USIEF. USIEF assists fellows with university placement as part of the program.

What makes a competitive application

USIEF looks beyond grades. Successful applicants typically have a coherent narrative connecting their Indian experience, their chosen field, specific US programs, and a concrete return plan. Vague “I want to learn and grow” essays have near-zero conversion. Specific, India-rooted motivations do.

Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship: For Climate Researchers

• Jointly funded by: USIEF and the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India 
• Level: Doctoral and Postdoctoral research 
• Focus: Climate change, clean energy, environmental sustainability 
• Application window: Typically November–December each year

Named after Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, this fellowship supports Indian scientists working on climate-related research at US universities or research institutions.

The award covers round-trip airfare, J-1 visa, stipend, and health insurance for periods of 6–12 months. This is not a full degree program fellowship it funds a research visit or collaboration. Candidates must have an Indian host institution and a confirmed US collaborator.

Given India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and the DST’s push for green research, the number of slots has increased from 6 (2019) to approximately 15 per year in recent cycles.

Dr. Ambedkar Interest Subsidy Scheme: Loan Relief for OBC/EBC Students

• Governing ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment 
• Target group: OBC and Economically Backward Class (EBC) students 
• Level: Master’s and PhD abroad 
• Nature of support: Interest subsidy on education loans (not a direct grant)

This scheme does not give you money directly. Instead, the government pays the interest on your education loan while you are studying abroad and for a 6-month moratorium period after completion.

How it works

If you take a bank education loan of, say, ₹35 lakhs at 10% per annum, the interest cost during your 2-year program is approximately ₹7 lakhs. Under this scheme, MoSJE reimburses this interest directly to your lending bank. You repay only the principal.

Eligibility

• OBC (Central List) or EBC (income below ₹2.5 lakhs/year) category
• Loan taken from a scheduled bank for a recognised overseas Master’s or PhD program
• Pursuing first Master’s or PhD (not applicable for second Master’s)
• Not availing any other full scholarship from government sources

For students who don’t qualify for NOS but still need an education loan, this scheme meaningfully reduces the cost of borrowing.

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Commonwealth Scholarships: UK-Funded, India-Nominated

• Funded by: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) 
• Administered in India by: Association of Indian Universities (AIU) 
• Level: Master’s and PhD at UK universities 
• Application window: October–December each year

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission funds hundreds of students from Commonwealth countries annually. India receives a significant allocation typically 25–30 Master’s slots and 10–15 PhD slots per year.

What makes this unique is the nomination structure. You apply to the CSC through AIU in India, not directly to a UK university. Once selected, CSC places you at an appropriate UK institution. The scholarship covers: tuition fees (paid to university), return airfare, living stipend (£1,347/month in London, £1,063 elsewhere in 2024–25), thesis grant, and arrival allowance.

Priority fields for Indian candidates in recent cycles: STEM, climate, public health, and social development.

DAAD Scholarships: Germany’s Fully Funded Option

• Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) 
• Level: Master’s, PhD, Research 
• Application window: Varies by program (typically October–November for the following year)

DAAD is the world’s largest academic exchange organisation and one of the most accessible fully funded scholarship routes for Indian students. Germany’s public universities charge no tuition for most programs DAAD scholarships layer living expenses on top of this.

For Master’s students (DAAD Master’s Scholarships for International Students), the monthly stipend is €934 plus a study and travel allowance. For doctoral researchers, the stipend is €1,200/month.

India consistently ranks among DAAD’s top 5 sending countries. Approximately 1,200–1,500 Indian students receive DAAD support annually across all programs. German language proficiency is not required for English-taught programs, though it strengthens applications for research positions.

State Government Overseas Scholarships

Beyond central schemes, several Indian states run their own overseas education grants. These are under-applied and less competitive than national programs.

State	Scheme Name	Max Award	Target Group
Maharashtra	Rajiv Gandhi Overseas Scholarship	₹20 lakhs	SC/NT/SBC/OBC
Karnataka	Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Overseas Vidyanidhi	₹20 lakhs	SC/ST
Tamil Nadu	Tamil Nadu Overseas Scholarship	₹15 lakhs	SC/ST/OBC
Andhra Pradesh	Jagananna Overseas Vidyanidhi	₹20 lakhs	All categories (merit)
Telangana	Telangana Overseas Scholarship	₹20 lakhs	SC/ST/OBC/Minorities
Kerala	Kerala State Overseas Scholarship	₹10 lakhs	SC/ST
Punjab	Dr. Ambedkar Overseas Scholarship	₹15 lakhs	SC students

Important: Most state schemes can be combined with central interest subsidy schemes but usually cannot be stacked with NOS (which is also a full scholarship). Check individual scheme terms.

Who is eligible for Indian government scholarships to study abroad?

While each scheme has specific criteria, these are the baseline requirements across most Indian government overseas scholarships:

You almost certainly qualify if:

• You are an Indian citizen under 35–40 years of age
• You have a bachelor’s or master’s degree with 55%+ marks
• You have a valid offer letter from a recognised overseas university (for most schemes)
• Your family income is under ₹8 lakhs/year (for need-based schemes)
• You belong to a priority category (SC/ST/OBC) for category-restricted schemes

You are likely ineligible if:

• You are already receiving another full government scholarship
• You are pursuing an undergraduate program (most schemes are PG/PhD only)
• Your chosen institution is unrecognised or unranked (NOS requires QS/THE Top 500 in many cases)
• You have a prior criminal conviction or departmental proceeding pending

Grey areas to clarify before applying:

• Studying on a part-time or online basis (most schemes require full-time on-campus enrollment)
• Taking a second Master’s (Ambedkar subsidy excludes this)
• Studying in a country not listed in the scheme notification

How to apply for Indian government scholarships to study abroad

The application process differs slightly by scheme, but this 8-step framework applies broadly.

Step 1: Identify your scheme (October–November 2025) Map your category (general/OBC/SC/ST), academic level, target country, and financial situation to the right scheme. Do not apply for schemes you’re ineligible for it wastes your preparation time and weakens records on the National Scholarship Portal.

Step 2: Prepare for language tests (October–January) Most schemes require IELTS (6.5+) or TOEFL (90+). Some accept GRE or GMAT scores for US-specific programs. Prepare and take your test well before application deadlines score reports take 10–21 days to arrive.

Step 3: Apply to universities (October–February) Do not wait for the scholarship to apply to universities. Apply to 6–10 shortlisted programs simultaneously. Target universities that are QS Top 500 where possible (required for NOS). Aim for offer letters by February.

Step 4: Gather documents (January–February) Core documents required across schemes:

• Valid Indian passport
• Category/caste certificate from competent authority (notarised)
• Income certificate (not older than 6 months)
• All academic mark sheets and degree certificates (attested)
• Offer/admission letter from overseas university
• IELTS/TOEFL score report
• Statement of Purpose (800–1,200 words for most schemes)
• Two letters of recommendation (academic preferred)
• Passport-size photographs (as specified)
• Bank statement (3–6 months)

Step 5: Write your SOP (see next section)

Step 6: Submit on the National Scholarship Portal (January–March) Most central schemes now route through scholarships.gov.in. Create your profile early the portal frequently experiences traffic surges near deadlines. Upload all documents in specified formats (usually PDF, under 200KB per file).

Step 7: Institute verification (March–April) Your current or last-attended institution needs to verify your application on the NSP. Follow up with your registrar’s office proactively delays here have disqualified otherwise strong applicants.

Step 8: Selection interview (April–June) NOS and some state schemes conduct in-person or video interviews. Prepare to articulate your research plan, why this specific program, and how you’ll use the degree in India after returning.

What should an SOP for a government scholarship include?

The Statement of Purpose is where most scholarship applications are won or lost. Selection committees read dozens of identical SOPs claiming “passion for learning” and “desire to contribute to India’s development.” Here is what actually works.

Structure your SOP around four questions:

1. What specific problem are you trying to solve? Not “I want to study machine learning” but “India’s credit-scoring system excludes 190 million rural workers who lack formal income records. I want to study federated learning techniques to build privacy-preserving credit models for this population.”

2. Why is this specific program the best place to solve it? Name a faculty member, a lab, a specific course, a research group. Committees can tell immediately whether you’ve done your homework or copy-pasted the same SOP to 20 universities.

3. What have you already done in this direction? Awards, publications, internships, fieldwork, community projects concrete evidence that this isn’t a whim.

4. What will you do when you come back? The Fulbright-Nehru application explicitly asks this. Even for NOS, a credible return plan (a specific job sector, a startup idea, a research institution you want to join) significantly strengthens your case.

Common SOP mistakes that lead to rejection:

• Describing your childhood and family background at length (committees don’t care)
• Listing every course in your degree program
• Generic sentences like “this university has excellent faculty”
• No specific mention of how the scholarship will enable something that wouldn’t otherwise happen
• Exceeding the specified word/page limit by even 10%

Can You Stack Multiple Scholarships?

This is one of the most asked questions and the answer is nuanced.

Generally allowed: Receiving a state government scholarship alongside the Dr. Ambedkar Interest Subsidy Scheme. Receiving DAAD funding (since it comes from a foreign government) alongside some Indian state schemes. University merit scholarships alongside government fellowships (check individual terms).

Generally not allowed: Receiving NOS alongside any other full government scholarship. Receiving Fulbright-Nehru fellowship alongside NOS (both are full-cost schemes). Receiving two central government scholarships simultaneously.

Best practice: Declare all funding sources in every application. Misrepresentation can result in scholarship cancellation, blacklisting from future government schemes, and in some cases legal recovery proceedings for amounts already disbursed.

What happens if you don’t return to India after receiving the NOS scholarship?

This section is almost never discussed in scholarship guides and it catches many awardees off-guard.

NOS bond requirement: NOS recipients must sign a bond committing to return to India after completing their studies and not take up employment abroad for a period of three years. The bond is backed by a surety (typically a government employee or property document). Breaking this bond can lead to recovery of the full scholarship amount with interest.

Fulbright return requirement: Fulbright J-1 visa holders are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement under US immigration law. This means you cannot directly convert your J-1 to an H-1B or immigrant visa without first returning to India for two years (or obtaining a waiver, which is difficult for Fulbright alumni).

DAAD return expectation: DAAD does not impose a legal bond but expects awardees to contribute to academic or development outcomes in their home country. This is monitored through alumni surveys but not legally enforceable.

Understanding these obligations before you accept an award is critical. The return requirement is not a punishment it’s the policy rationale for why these scholarships exist.

Indian government scholarships vs. education loans to study abroad

Securing a government scholarship is a great financial help for global education. However the limited availability of scholarships is a concern for many. Only a few of the applicants are fortunate to win the scholarships offered by the Indian government.  

Study Abroad education loans come to the rescue when students are stuck in finding funds for higher studies. Compared to scholarships, the chances of securing an education loan are higher, making it a perfect alternative to scholarships. Explore minimal-interest education loans for your abroad needs from a variety of lenders, with or without collateral. Connect with our counselor today for comprehensive guidance and personalized education loan support at zero cost.