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Scholarships in India by the Government for International Students

Scholarships in India by the Government for International Students
  • PublishedJune 22, 2023

Since ancient times, India has been a popular destination for international students. India has one of the world’s best educational systems. Scholarships play an important role to help international students to study in India and learn about different aspects of the country and its culture. Scholarships can help you achieve your academic and career objectives by removing financial barriers.  A scholarship eliminates any financial concerns. 

People from all over the world have benefited from the scholarship scheme. Keeping this in mind, Kenznow has identified some of the great scholarships in India for international students.  

Top 10 Scholarships in India by the Government for International Students

1. ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations)

The ICCR has played an essential role in the education sector for international students in India. Under the ICCR Scholarship scheme, around 7000 students from 190 countries are studying in India. In 2022-23, 15885 scholarship applications were received. Scholarship courses are available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies. For more information visit – https://www.iccr.gov.in/iccr-scholarship/indian-council-cultural-relations-scholarship    

2.  GSS (General Scholarship Scheme) 

GSS Scholarships are available for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as research subjects at the M.Phil. and Ph.D. levels. Successful applicants for the scholarships are entitled monthly stipend from  INR 5,500 to INR 7500 per month. Apart from this students will receive monthly housing allowance and medical benefits. Every year in December, applications for scholarships under this scheme are accepted. For more information visit https://www.cgibali.gov.in/page/gss/  

Check out the most preferred subjects by international students in India curated by Kenznow – Top 10 Subjects For International Students In India. 

3. SII (Study in India)  

SII Scholarships are half or full scholarships for international students studying in India. The Government of India provides the SII Scholarship. International students can apply for this scholarship by appearing in the Ind-SAT exam. This scholarship, however, covers USD$ 3500 per year for each selected student. For more information visit https://studyinindia.gov.in/  

4. IOR-ARC (Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation) 

Scholarships under this initiative are available to students pursuing post-graduate (S2) degrees in India. Living allowance, contingent grant, accommodation expenses, tuition fees, and other advantages, including medical and study travel, are offered to students selected for scholarships. Students can choose from a wide range of courses in the arts, performing arts, architecture, literature, business and science, engineering and agriculture, and other areas. For more information, visit https://www.cgibali.gov.in/page/ARC/  

5. Junior and Senior Research Fellowships

The selected Fellow is associated with an academic institution in India on the basis of mutual consent under this initiative. A senior fellow will get a monthly stipend of Rs. 150,000 to cover living expenses, housing, medical care, local transportation, and travel within India. Junior Fellow, the lump-sum stipend will be 50,000 per month. The fellow will receive the first month’s salary as soon as he or she arrives in India. In succeeding months, the money would be deposited into Fellow’s local bank account on the 7th of every month. For more information, visit  https://www.cgibali.gov.in/page/fellowships/

6. Ayush Scholarship Scheme (Ministry of India) 

The Ayush Scholarship Scheme is available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies. The application form has been updated to allow students to select three institutions from which to study. Focused attention towards education and research in the fields of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. For more information, visit https://main.ayush.gov.in/ayush-fellowship-scheme/.

7. Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme

For undergraduate programs, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30; for Ph.D. programs, they must be between the ages of 18 and 45. Candidates can choose to apply to five universities or institutes, ranking them according to their preferred fields of study. If the original documents are not in English, the applications will not be evaluated without an English translation. For more information, visit https://www.eoiriyadh.gov.in/page/atal-bihari-vaipayee-general-scholarship-scheme/ 

  8.  Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme 

The research grant will be for Rs. 15 lakhs per year, and the fellowship will be for Rs. 25,000 per month in addition to any remuneration received. Candidates can choose to apply to five universities or institutes, ranking them according to their preferred fields of study. To measure English proficiency, a 500-word essay in English has been implemented. Additionally, students may submit their TOEFL, IELTS, etc. If available, the results of standardized tests Scholarship recipients must get a term life insurance policy with a minimum sum assured of INR 5 lakh annually. For more information, visit https://www.inae.in/abdul-kalam-technology-innovation-national-fellowship/

9. SPDC (Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children) 

Only undergraduate courses are eligible for an SPDC scholarship. The maximum scholarship amount is the lesser of 75% of IEC or US$4000. The DASA Scheme and the SPDC Scheme are both different schemes being implemented by the Government of India. Subject to meeting all eligibility requirements for the SPDC scheme, DASA applicants may also apply for the SPDC program. The candidate must have obtained at least 60% overall marks in Grade 12 or an equivalent grade (equal to a CGPA of 6.4). For more information, visit https://spdcindia.gov.in/login/index.php.

10. Bilateral MoU on Education 

In Indian universities and institutions, the fellowship is available for undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral programs. This scholarship covers the living allowance, contingent grant, accommodation charges, tuition fee, and other benefits, including medical and study tours, for the students selected for the scholarship. The cost of air tickets is not covered in India. For more information, visit https://www.cgibali.gov.in/page/mou/

Sr.No.ScholarshipsStipend 
1.ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations)INR 18,000 to INR 25,000 per month
2.Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship SchemeINR 25,000 per month
3. SII (Study in India) Approx INR 21,000 per month
4.Junior and Senior Research FellowshipsINR 50,000 to INR 15,000 per month
5.Ayush scholarship schemeINR 18,000 to INR 25,000 per month
6.Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth ScholarshipINR 25,000 per month
7.SPDC (Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children)lesser than 75% of IEC or US $4000
8.GSS (General Scholarship Scheme)   INR 5,500 to 7,500 per month 

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