Why Scholarships Are the Smartest Way to Study Abroad from India
The average cost of studying abroad for an Indian student ranges from ₹15 lakh to ₹50 lakh per year. Scholarships can cover 25% to 100% of these costs — yet fewer than 10% of Indian applicants actively apply for them. Most students assume scholarships are only for toppers or athletes. The truth is that hundreds of scholarships exist for average students, first-generation learners, students from specific states, women in STEM, and even students from particular communities.
This guide lists 50 real scholarships available to Indian students in 2026, organised by country and type. Every scholarship listed here is active, legitimate, and accessible.
Government-Funded Scholarships from India
1. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
By: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | For: SC, Denotified Tribes, Nomadic Tribes, Semi-Nomadic Tribes, and Landless Agricultural Labourers | Covers: Full tuition, living expenses, airfare | Amount: Up to US $15,400 per year | Apply: nosmsje.gov.in
2. SERB Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship
By: Science and Engineering Research Board | For: PhD students in science and engineering | Duration: Up to 12 months | Amount: US $2,000 per month plus airfare
3. Maulana Azad National Fellowship
By: UGC | For: Minority community students pursuing MPhil/PhD | Amount: ₹31,000 per month (JRF) and ₹35,000 per month (SRF)
4. AICTE PG Scholarship for GATE/GPAT Qualified Students
By: AICTE | For: GATE/GPAT qualified students in AICTE-approved institutions | Amount: ₹12,400 per month
USA Scholarships for Indian Students
5. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
By: United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) | For: Indian students pursuing Master’s degrees in the USA | Covers: Full tuition, living stipend, airfare, health insurance | Fields: All except medicine and law | Apply: usief.org.in
6. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
For: Indian students under 30 admitted to top US/UK/European universities | Amount: Up to $100,000 | Fields: All subjects | Highly competitive — fewer than 30 awards annually
7. Stanford Reliance Dhirubhai Fellowship
For: Indian students admitted to Stanford MBA | Amount: Full tuition coverage | Very selective — strong leadership profile required
8. Cornell University Tata Scholarship
For: Indian undergraduates at Cornell | Amount: Full need-based aid covering tuition, room, and board | Apply through: Cornell financial aid
9. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
For: Mid-career professionals | Covers: Full tuition, living expenses, travel | Fields: Public policy, education, agriculture, public health | Apply: usief.org.in
10. American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship
For: International undergraduates demonstrating leadership and community service | Amount: Full tuition plus room and board
UK Scholarships for Indian Students
11. Chevening Scholarship
By: UK Government | For: Indian professionals with 2+ years work experience | Covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend (£1,133 to £1,516), airfare, visa | Apply: chevening.org
12. Commonwealth Scholarship
By: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission | For: Master’s and PhD students from India | Covers: Full tuition, airfare, stipend | Apply through: Ministry of Education, India
13. Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship
For: Indian professionals aged 25 to 38 | Fields: Arts, heritage conservation, humanities | Duration: Short-term residencies in the UK
14. Great Scholarships India
By: British Council and UK universities | Amount: £10,000 per student | Universities: Over 15 participating institutions change annually | Apply: britishcouncil.in
15. Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford)
For: Indian students aged 19 to 25 for postgraduate study at Oxford | Covers: Full tuition, living stipend, airfare | Extremely competitive — 5 Indian scholars selected annually
16. Felix Scholarship
For: Indian students from disadvantaged backgrounds at SOAS or University of Reading | Covers: Full tuition plus maintenance grant
Canada Scholarships for Indian Students
17. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
For: Doctoral students at Canadian universities | Amount: CAD $50,000 per year for 3 years | Fields: Health, natural sciences, social sciences
18. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute Fellowships
For: Indian scholars and students | Amount varies | Apply: shastriinstitute.org
19. University of Toronto Lester B. Pearson Scholarship
For: International undergraduates | Covers: Full tuition, books, residence for 4 years
20. Humber College International Entrance Scholarships
Amount: CAD $1,500 to $5,000 | For: Strong academic performers
21. University of British Columbia International Scholars
Amount: Up to full tuition | For: Undergraduates with exceptional academic and extracurricular profiles
Australia Scholarships for Indian Students
22. Australia Awards Scholarships
By: Australian Government | For: Master’s and PhD | Covers: Full tuition, airfare, living allowance, health insurance | Apply: dfat.gov.au
23. Destination Australia Scholarships
Amount: AUD $15,000 per year | For: Students at regional Australian universities
24. University of Melbourne International Scholarships
Amount: Up to 100% fee remission | For: Postgraduate research students
25. Monash International Merit Scholarship
Amount: AUD $10,000 per year | For: Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students
26. Adelaide Scholarships International
Covers: Full tuition, annual living allowance (AUD $28,854), health insurance | For: Research higher degree students
Europe Scholarships for Indian Students
27. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Scholarship
By: European Union | Covers: Full tuition, monthly allowance (€1,400), travel, insurance | For: Master’s programmes at multiple European universities | Highly popular among Indian students
28. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)
By: German Academic Exchange Service | Amount: €934 per month (Master’s), €1,300 per month (PhD) | Apply: daad.de
29. Holland Scholarship (Netherlands)
Amount: €5,000 | For: Non-EEA students at Dutch universities
30. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship
For: Postgraduate researchers and PhD students | Covers: Monthly allowance, tuition, health insurance, airfare
31. Swedish Institute Scholarships
For: Master’s students from India | Covers: Full tuition, living allowance (SEK 10,000/month), travel, insurance
32. Ireland Government Scholarship (GOI-IES)
Amount: €10,000 stipend plus full tuition | For: Indian students at Irish universities
33. ETH Zurich Excellence Masters Scholarship
Covers: Full tuition plus CHF 12,000 living allowance per semester | For: Outstanding students at ETH Zurich
Country-Specific Scholarships: Asia and Others
34. MEXT Scholarship (Japan)
By: Japanese Government | Covers: Full tuition, monthly allowance (¥143,000 to ¥148,000), airfare | Duration: 2 to 5 years
35. Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)
Covers: Full tuition, monthly allowance (₩900,000), airfare, settlement, health insurance
36. Singapore International Graduate Award (SINGA)
For: PhD students in science and engineering | Amount: Monthly stipend of SGD $2,200 to $2,700 plus full tuition
37. New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship
Covers: Full domestic tuition fees for 3 years plus living allowance
University-Specific Merit Scholarships
38. Gates Cambridge Scholarship
For: Outstanding students at University of Cambridge | Covers: Full cost of study
39. Clarendon Fund (Oxford)
Covers: Full tuition and generous living allowance | For: All nationalities
40. Yale University Financial Aid
100% need-blind for international students | Covers: Full cost of attendance
41. MIT Financial Aid for International Students
Need-based: Covers full cost including room and board
42. University of Edinburgh Global Online Distance Learning Scholarship
Amount: £4,000 to £8,000 fee waiver
43. University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
Amount: NZD $10,000
Scholarships for Women, Minorities, and Special Categories
44. AAUW International Fellowship (Women)
For: Women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral study in the USA | Amount: $20,000 to $50,000
45. Margaret McNamara Education Grant (Women from Developing Countries)
Amount: $15,000 | For: Women over 25 from developing countries studying in the USA
46. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
For: Students from developing countries with strong academics and financial need | Covers: 50% grant, 50% loan
47. Tata Trusts Scholarships
For: Indian students from economically weaker sections | Apply through: tatatrusts.org
48. JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
Amount: ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh (partial loan scholarship) | For: Indian graduates going abroad for higher studies | Apply: jntataendowment.org
49. KC Mahindra Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
Amount: Up to ₹8 lakh (interest-free loan) | For: Indian graduates admitted to foreign universities
50. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹22 lakh (interest-free loan) | For: Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad | Apply: pg.nsfoundation.co.in
How to Maximise Your Scholarship Chances
- Apply early: Most scholarship deadlines are 6 to 12 months before the intake. Start in January for September admissions.
- Apply broadly: Apply for 10 to 15 scholarships, not just one or two
- Tailor every essay: Generic applications get rejected. Each scholarship values different qualities.
- Gather strong references: Ask professors and employers who know your work well, not just senior people
- Highlight community impact: Many scholarships prioritise students who give back to their community
- Check university-specific aid: Many universities offer automatic merit scholarships based on GPA — you do not even need to apply separately
Frequently Asked Questions
Can average students get scholarships to study abroad?
Yes. Many scholarships consider leadership, community work, financial need, or state of origin — not just grades. University merit scholarships often require 70% to 80%, not 90%+.
When should I start applying for scholarships?
Begin 12 to 18 months before your intended start date. Most deadlines fall between October and March for September intakes.
Can I hold multiple scholarships?
Some scholarships allow stacking, but most full-ride scholarships prohibit combining with others. Check individual terms carefully.
Do I need IELTS for scholarships?
Most scholarships require English proficiency scores. Some accept alternatives to IELTS. Check each scholarship’s requirements.
Are scholarship funds taxable in India?
Scholarships for educational purposes received by students are generally exempt from income tax under Section 10(16) of the Income Tax Act.
What if I do not get any scholarship?
Education loans, teaching or research assistantships, and part-time work are viable alternatives. Many students fund their studies through a combination of partial scholarships and loans.