
A lot of students dream of studying abroad from a very young age. But, there are many barriers students deal with, for example, the cost of international education.
Now, students don’t need to worry about finances because there are many Government of India, along with various ministries, trusts, and international partners who offer scholarships to students.
By understanding everything about each scholarship one can plan their educational journey in a better way.
In this blog, we will explore various Indian government scholarships for studying abroad which opens immense opportunities for growth and success.
Contents
- 12 Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad
- 1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
- 2. Commonwealth Scholarship
- 3. Raman Charpak Fellowship
- 4. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
- 5. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy
- 6. Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Scholarships
- 7. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
- 8. Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
- 9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree
- 10. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship
- 11. GREAT Scholarships
- 12. Chief Minister’s Overseas Scheme For Minorities
- Conclusion
12 Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad
Given below are 12 popular Indian government scholarships for studying abroad one must know:
1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships is a popular scholarship by the US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). It helps students to pursue a master’s degree in the US.
Eligibility:
- Indian citizenship
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 55%
- Demonstrated leadership skills
- Three years of professional experience (required)
Benefits:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Health insurance
- J-1 visa support
2. Commonwealth Scholarship
Commonwealth Scholarship is one of the prestigious scholarships for students of Commonwealth countries to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK.
Eligibility:
- Indian citizenship
- Admission in a UK university for master’s or PhD
- Bachelor’s degree of at least upper second class (2:1) honors standard, or a 2:2 with a relevant postgraduate qualification
- Must be unable to afford to study in the UK without the scholarship
Benefits:
- Full tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Travel costs
- Thesis and exam fee support
3. Raman Charpak Fellowship
Raman Charpak Fellowship is ideal for students who are interested in a research internship. It comes under Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA).
Eligibility:
- Indian PhD students
- Age below 30
- Enrolled in a recognised institute in India
- Research in science, mathematics, engineering, or technology
Benefits:
- Monthly stipend
- Travel allowance
- Visa support
- Research expenses
4. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is also one of the most famous offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Eligibility:
- Candidate must be Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST)
- Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
- Landless Agricultural Labourers
- Family income below Rs 8 lakh
- Secure at least 60% marks in the qualifying degree for their Master’s or PhD
Benefits:
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- Visa fees
- Medical insurance
- Airfare
5. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy
In the Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy, students get 100% interest subsidy on education loans. It is especially designed for higher studies abroad.
Eligibility:
- OBC or EBC category
- Family income below Rs 8 lakh per annum
- Education loan approved for abroad studies
Benefits:
- Full interest subsidy during the course period
- Reduced financial burden
6. Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Scholarships
The Ministry of Human Resource Development collaboration with international governments provides scholarships for Indian students. Countries like Japan, China, Mexico etc.
Eligibility:
- Graduate and postgraduate students
- Class 12 results above the 80th percentile
- Family income of less than Rs 4.5 lakh per annum.
Benefits:
- It includes tuition, accommodation, monthly stipend, and airfare. However, it may vary.
7. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
In India, Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is offered by the Ministry of Education.
Through this students can pursue research in humanities and social sciences at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford.
Eligibility:
- Consistently good academic record
- PhD or equivalent published research
- Age between 30 to 40 years
Benefits:
- Maintenance allowance
- Travel allowance
- Institutional support from Oxford
8. Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships is an ideal scholarship opportunity for students who want to study master’s programs abroad.
Eligibility:
- Indian citizenship
- Excellent academic record
- Admission to selected top universities
Benefits:
- Up to $100,000 funding
- Tuition fees
- Living expenses
- One-way travel allowance
9. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree
To pursue a joint master’s degree in multiple European countries, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master degree is an ideal scholarship funded by the European Union.
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Strong academic profile
- Admission into an Erasmus Mundus program
Benefits:
- Full tuition
- Travel allowance
- Living stipend
- Health insurance
10. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Scholarship
Through the Lady Meherbai D Tata Education scholarship women in India can pursue higher education abroad. Some common fields include public health, gender studies etc.
Eligibility:
- Indian women graduates
- Strong academic record
- Admission in top international universities
Benefits:
- Partial scholarship covering tuition fees
- One-time grant
11. GREAT Scholarships
GREAT scholarships are offered by the partnership of India and the UK government. It is ideal for students who want postgraduate studies in the UK.
Eligibility:
- Indian citizenship
- Offer letter from a participating UK university
Benefits:
- Minimum £10,000 tuition fee support
12. Chief Minister’s Overseas Scheme For Minorities
To support minority students from different states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh etc can apply to Chief Minister’s Overseas Scheme.
Eligibility:
- Minority community (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi)
- Family income limits apply
- Admission to an eligible foreign institution
Benefits:
- Tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Travel expenses
Conclusion
All the above-mentioned scholarships are ideal to apply to ensure future learning and growth in life.
However, before applying must go through all the eligibility criteria and benefits to support education.
I hope now the dream of learning abroad becomes reality. To know which scholarship is correctly aligned with the student’s field connect with the career counsellor.
Students can also explore the role of technology in making scholarship searches easier .



