One of the top study abroad destinations in Asia, India is home to many international students hoping to get an education they can be proud of. With its numerous institutions for higher learning offering a variety of degree programs, India has proven itself an ideal location for further studies in a foreign setting. Most universities in India are known for their excellent engineering and technology curricula, producing the best graduates in these areas. Even with this decidedly laudable track record, India remains an inexpensive place for international students. An international student will spend about $8,500 to $10,000 for a full academic year in the country. Nonetheless, even though studying in India may be within your means, free education is a welcome inclusion. After all, scholarship programs can even help speed up your student visa application and ease up the task of finding accommodation and health insurance. With this in mind, we have listed the best scholarship opportunities available for 2024 to prospective international students in India. Scholarships in India are provided by the government, private organizations, and host institutions. You only need to explore these prospects, and you’ll be on your way to India soon.
Table of Contents
1. General Scholarship Scheme (GSS) for Foreign Students
2. Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) Scholarship
3. KIIT University International Scholarship Program (KUISP)
4. Indian School of Business (ISB) International Scholarships
5. ITEC/SCAAP Government of India Fully Funded Scholarships
6. Nalanda University Master Fellowship for Foreign Students
7. SIU-ICCR Joint Scholarships for Developing Countries
General Scholarship Scheme (GSS) for Foreign Students
Funded by the Government of India’s Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the General Scholarship Scheme (GSS), provides scholarship awards to international students hoping to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or research programs in a university in India. Eligible applicants should come from selected Asian, African, and Latin American countries. They should be proficient in the English language since universities in India use the international language for instruction. Undergraduate students should enclose their selected course and university (up to 3 university choices). For applicants who wish to acquire a bachelor’s degree in the field of the performance arts, an additional video or audio requirement of their talent should be sent. Postgraduate and research applicants are required to include a summary of their research topic and proposal along with the necessary forms and documents.
Applications for the GSS should be coursed through Indian Missions in the applicant’s country of origin. This is a strict instruction which needs to be carefully made as ICCR and Indian consulates will not accept any GSS application. Successful applicants for the scholarship are entitled to the following benefits: monthly stipend (INR 5,500 for undergraduate scholars, INR 6,000 for postgraduate scholars, and INR 7,000 to INR 7,500 for research and post-doctoral scholars), monthly accommodation allowance (INR 4,500 to INR 5,000), one-time thesis and dissertation allowance, medical benefits, annual provisional grant (INR 5,000 for undergraduate scholars, INR 7,000 for postgraduate scholars, or INR 12,500 to INR 15,500 for post-doctoral and research scholars), and tuition fees.
Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR) Scholarship
The Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research (IGIDR), an advanced research institution funded by the Reserve Bank of India, currently seeks applicants for its IGIDR Scholarship Program which aims to promote research on developmental issues. Eligible candidates should be international students from certain Asian countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam) who are willing to pursue a graduate, postgraduate, or MPhil (Master of Philosophy) studies in a university in India. They should be proficient English language speakers, too.
Annual applications for the IGIDR Scholarships close before the end of May. All applications should be submitted and processed online through the scholarship website. Successful applicants will be given allowances for accommodation, books, conference travels as well as tuition fees, medical benefits, and a round-trip airfare to and from India.
KIIT University International Scholarship Program (KUISP)
The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University opens a scholarship program for international students who seek to obtain a degree offered by the KIIT University. Eligible applicants for the KIIT University International Scholarships are students who will enroll in a study program except nursing, architecture, dental, and medicine courses. All nationalities, with the exception of SAARC or South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries) are invited to apply. Priority will be given to applicants who have a financially challenging background.
Annual applications for the KIIT University scholarships close on the 30th of July. Successful applicants are entitled to tuition fees and accommodation allowances. Those who qualify for the half scholarship program will be entitled to 50% of the total scholarship grant.
Indian School of Business (ISB) International Scholarships
The Indian School of Business (ISB) opens a scholarship program for international students seeking to pursue a postgraduate degree in business management at the ISB. Eligible candidates should be students who are willing to enroll in the ISB’s one-year Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP). This academic year, the ISB has a total of 26 available scholarships. All nationalities are welcome to submit their application for the ISB International Scholarships. Eligible applicants should have an accumulated work experience, a valid Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score, and a certificate of English language proficiency.
The ISB Scholarships have different categories: ISB Merit Waivers, ISB-AIESEC Scholarship, Bridge to India Scholarship, La Caixa and Casa Asia Scholarship, and Talentia Scholarship. Each category has a separate benefit package. The ISB Merit Waivers grant 25% to 100% tuition fee waiver. The ISB-AIESEC Scholarship grants INR 1,000,000 ($14,360). The Bridge to India Scholarship grants INR 500,000 to INR 1,000,000 ($7,180 to $14,360). Finally, both the La Caixa and Casa Asia Scholarship and the Talentia Scholarship grant a full expenditure package.
The ISB International Scholarships accept applications per cycle. It is highly recommended to submit applications for Cycle 1 as it has more competitive scholarship benefits. To illustrate, Cycle 1 successful applicants are entitled to a full tuition fee waiver. Also, 50% of the merit and need-based waivers are only available for Cycle 1 applicants. Annually, the applications for Cycle 1 ISB International Scholarships close on the 15th of October.
ITEC/SCAAP Government of India Fully Funded Scholarships
The Government of India, through the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), accepts applications for its ITEC/SCAAP Scholarship Program. This scholarship is for international students willing to undergo a training program in India such as the previous 6-week International Training Program on International Marketing and Global Competitiveness, International Training Program on Rural Enterprise Planning and Promotion or Women and Youth Entrepreneurship in Water Supply and Sanitation Development. Currently, there are about 105 available scholarships up for grabs. Eligible applicants are international students from the ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries. They should also be proficient speakers in the English language.
Annual applications for the ITEC/SCAAP Scholarship Program close before the end of June. Successful applicants for the ITEC/SCAAP scholarships are entitled to course fee waiver, accommodation allowance, monthly stipend (INR 25,000 or $360), book allowance (INR 5,000 or $72), project allowance, study tour allowance, visa fees, and airfare to and from India.
Nalanda University Master Fellowship for Foreign Students
The Nalanda University, a prestigious institution for higher learning in India, seeks international scholars for its Master Fellowship Program. Applicants should be interested to pursue a graduate degree in any field offered by the Nalanda University. The university has a wide range of courses under the disciplines of history, ecology, philosophy, environment, and comparative religions. Eligible applicants should have excellent academic records in their previous degree programs. They are also required to submit a certification of English language proficiency, together with the duly accomplished application form and other necessary documents.
Applications should be made once the candidate applies for admission to the Nalanda University. All applications must be submitted before the end of July every academic year. Successful applicants are given up to 100% tuition fee waiver, accommodation allowance, and food allowance.
SIU-ICCR Joint Scholarships for Developing Countries
The Symbiosis International University (SIU) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) have forged a partnership to provide a scholarship program for international students in India. The SIU-ICCR Joint Scholarships are aimed at prospective undergraduate and postgraduate international students from developing countries. Eligible applicants should be willing to pursue a study program at any constituent institute of the SIU. They should also hold a proof of proficiency in the English language. Successful applicants will receive a full tuition fee waiver, accommodation allowance, and meal allowance.
There are a lot of available scholarship programs for international students in India. One only needs to explore every possible opportunity to make their study abroad journey a possibility. For each scholarship program, remember to do a thorough review of the eligibility requirements, as well as the application deadlines. As the saying goes, “the early bird catches the worm”. Similarly, early preparations will guarantee a definite advantage for an international student hoping to get the best deal for their study program in India.
See also: Best Student Cities in India
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