Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad
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Indian Government Scholarship for Studying Abroad: Indian students contribute in large numbers when it comes to studying abroad. This decision to migrate abroad for higher education is derived from the good quality of lifestyle and higher earning potential that follow after studying abroad. However, many students may find the cost of education abroad a big hurdle along the way while planning their budgets.
To address the growing difficulty among students in opting to pursue their higher education abroad, the Indian government has launched some scholarship schemes for Indian students so that most of their expenses can be covered. The only requirement that the student needs to fulfil is to maintain good academic records.
The Indian government in close ties with the top universities abroad, provide several fellowships and scholarships which have the potential to cover the whole tuition costs, living costs and other additional costs for students abroad. The Indian government offers scholarships to deserving Indian students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies at prestigious universities worldwide, despite the high costs that they may encounter while studying abroad. This blog delves deep into the world of Indian government scholarships to study abroad, equipping you with the knowledge and resources to navigate your path towards a globally enriching education.
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List of Top Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad
The Indian government, through various ministries and departments, administers a bouquet of scholarships specifically designed to support postgraduate studies abroad. Below is the list of the top popular scholarships offered by Indian government for studying abroad.
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
This prestigious scholarship, offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a beacon of hope for students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Landless Agricultural Labourers (ALALs), and Traditional Artisans (TAs). It provides financial assistance for pursuing Master's or Ph.D. programs at foreign universities.
Applications: The applications portal for the first round of applications to NOS 2024 was opened from 15 February 2024 to 31 March 2024 and students need to fill the online application form by visiting the website www.nosmsje.gov.in. However, if the seats remain unoccupied, the National Overseas Scholarship applications will re-open for the second round of inviting applications from 01 September 2024 to 15 October 2024.
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Seat Distribution: The distribution of the total number of National Overseas Scholarships among different marginalised communities is given below.
| Category |
Number of Scholarships |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) |
115 |
| Denotified, Nomadic and SemiNomadic Tribes |
06 |
| Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans |
04 |
| Total |
125 |
Eligibility Criteria: Students must fulfil the following scholarship requirements in order to be considered for the scholarship.
- Secure 60% or above marks in the qualifying examinations.
- For any university, mark sheets for all semesters should be provided. However, if the university provides only a CGPA and not numerical marks then, a university-acknowledged conversion formula must also be provided along with submitting the CGPA. Failing to abide by any of these two conditions will result in the cancellation of the candidature of the student for the scholarship in the concerned year.
- Candidate should not be more than 35 years of age as of the first day of April in the year of application.
- The total family income of the scholarship candidate (from all sources) must not exceed 8 lakhs per annum.
Coverage: The scheme covers the tuition, visa, and health insurance fees as charged by the respective organisations. Additionally, the scheme also provides an annual maintenance allowance of USD 15,400 for the USA and other countries except the UK and GBP 9900 for the UK.
Also Read: Scholarship Interview Questions with Answers to Study Abroad
Fulbright-Nehru Master's and Doctoral Research Fellowships
Indeed one of the best and most expansive scholarships offered by the Indian government, this collaborative program between the US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) and the Government of India fosters academic exchange between the two nations. It offers scholarships for outstanding Indian students to pursue Master's and Ph.D. degrees in a wide range of fields at accredited American universities.
These scholarships are awarded for a maximum of two years to pursue courses like public health, women and gender studies, environmental sciences, etc. at US universities.
Applications: To apply for a Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship, candidates must fill out an online application form by visiting the website https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025/. The application deadline to apply for the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships is 15 May 2024.
Eligibility Criteria: To avail of a Fulbright-Nehru scholarship, students must fulfil the following scholarship requirements:
- Students must have completed an equivalent of USA’s bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 55% of marks.
- a minimum of 3 years of work experience,
- Students must not have any other degree from a university in the USA
- and are committed to returning to their home country after the successful completion of their higher education abroad.
Coverage: The scholarship covers the following for the assistance of students:
- Round-trip air travel fare for economy class from the student’s host city to the city of the institution in the destination country.
- Complete tuition fees and living costs, however, the scholarship does not provide financial aid for students.
- Accident and illness coverage
There are many more Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships for Indian students, some of them are listed below.
- Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships,
- Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships,
- Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, and more.
Interested students can visit the website www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Fellowships.aspx to get complete details on all these scholarships.
For complete details, check Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship.
Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Doctoral Research
Administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) on behalf of both the US and the Indian governments, the Fulbright-Kalam Climate fellowships are offered to Indian students to conduct research in a US-based institution in the fields of earth, atmosphere and environmental sciences.
These fellowships are provided only for a period of 6-9 months and are available for a pre-doctoral research level only, this means that students in the last phase of their PhD or already having a PhD will not be considered for selection. The selected students will be affiliated to a host institution in the USA, however, a prior choice of a preferred institution will also be required from the student.
Applications: Interested students are required through the https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2025 portal before 15 July 2024.
Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must fulfil the following requirements to avail of the Fulbright-Kalam Fellowship.
- Applicants must be registered for a PhD at a recognised Indian institution.
- Applicants must have conducted sufficient research in the required fields of the fellowship.
- Applicants must not be in the end phase of their PhD, the estimated final thesis submission date of the PhD student must be at least 3 months after the end date of the Fulbright-Kalam Fellowship grant.
Coverage: the fellowship covers the following benefits:
- J1 visa support
- Monthly stipend, please note that the grant is not sufficient to support the family members
- Round-trip economy class air travel fare between India and the USA
- Professional allowance and a modest settling-in allowance
- Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines
There are several Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships as listed below.
- Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Doctoral Research
- Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Postdoctoral Research
- Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Academic and Professional Excellence
Below are some useful links for students seeking to get a scholarship to study abroad.
| What is the Right Time to Apply for a Scholarship? | Difference Between Scholarship and Fellowship |
| What are the Chances of Receiving a Scholarship? | Need-Based vs Merit-Based Scholarships |
Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
The Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is a great opportunity for students willing to opt for advanced research in the fields of Economics, Political Sciences and Indian Studies in History abroad. The Ms Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is funded entirely by the government of India and is administered by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to fund the education of meritorious Indian students abroad.
This fellowship is provided for a period of 1 year for the first instance and can be extended to up to one more year. Students/candidates selected to avail of this scholarship are placed at St. Antony College, University of Oxford, London with the status of a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) at the university. It is to be noted that only 1 fellowship is awarded each year to the deserving candidate.
Applications: Interested students must submit a typed application along with the following documents attached to the application form at the address given below.
Under Secretary (Scholarships),
Ministry of Education,
Department of Higher Education,
(ES 4) External Scholarships Division,
2nd Floor, Wing-6, West Block-1,
R.K. Puram,
Delhi-110066.
Documents Required: The attested copies of the following documents must be attached to the application form:
- Copies of testimonials
- Programme of study
- Photographs
Note:- all the documents should be submitted on plain white paper.
Eligibility Criteria: The following scholarship requirements must be met by the aspiring students.
- Applicants must be Indian nationals and aged between 30-40 years of age as of October of the year of application.
- Applicants must have secured a minimum of 60% of marks in the qualifying exam of their master’s degree course and must hold a PhD in the same or relevant field of the subject.
- Applicants must possess a minimum of 3 years of teaching experience at the graduate or postgraduate level.
Coverage: The Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship provides the following benefits:
- A stipend (including other charges) of 29,347 Pounds.
- Round-trip economy class airfare
Remember: This list is not exhaustive. It's crucial to conduct thorough research to discover scholarships aligned with your specific academic background, field of study, and financial needs.
Also Read: Types of scholarships available for Study Abroad aspirants
How to Craft a Competitive Scholarship Application?
Securing a government scholarship requires a well-rounded application that showcases your academic excellence, research potential, and commitment to your chosen field. Here are some tips to boost your application:
- Demonstrate Your Academic Competitiveness: Maintain exceptional academic records throughout your undergraduate studies. Strong grades are a key factor in most scholarship selections.
- Ace Standardized Tests: If required by the scholarship program, strive for high scores on tests like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS. These scores can significantly strengthen your application.
- Craft a Compelling SOP: The statement of purpose (SOP).
Also Read: How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay to Study Abroad?
This was all about the Indian government scholarships for studying abroad 2024. We have covered the top 4 scholarships offered by the Indian government for studying abroad along with their application deadlines, the application process, eligibility criteria and total coverage. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.
Indian Government Scholarship for Studying Abroad FAQs
Q. Does the Indian government provide scholarships for studying abroad?
A. Yes, the Indian government offers several fully-funded scholarships and fellowships to support deserving students’ education abroad. Some of the most popular scholarships and fellowships offered by the Indian government are the National Overseas Scholarships, Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, Fulbright-Kalam Fellowships and Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowships.
Q. Is there any fully funded Indian government scholarship for studying abroad?
A. Yes, there are several government scholarships to study abroad for Indian students. Alongside this, some good fellowships are also offered by the Indian government towards the tuition fees and other expenses of studying abroad for Indian students. Several such scholarships and fellowships are discussed in the article above.
Q. How can we get a 100% scholarship to study abroad from India?
A. Candidates seeking to avail of 100% scholarships to study abroad must do so by checking the respective scholarship’s website and filling out the online application form by submitting the required documents and digital copies of photographs and signatures (if needed).
However, some scholarships need to be applied via offline means; hence, the students need to draft a scholarship application on plain white paper, attach all the supporting documents with it and send the application to the administrative office of the scholarship.
The shortlisting and selection of applications is entirely the decision of the administrative department of the scholarship and the scholarship is given after several crucial key parameters pre-designated by the scholarship committee. Therefore, students are required to curate a strong scholarship application representing all their academic achievements in a clear and elaborate manner and attach the attested copies of each of these with their applications.
Q. How to get a government scholarship to study abroad?
A. There are several scholarships offered by Indian government for studying abroad and since these scholarships are provided in very limited numbers, you need to be proactive with your application and timeline.
Since the Indian government scholarships for studying abroad are very limited in number, students will be required to look for other options available to them given that they meet the eligibility requirements. Sometimes, while applying and waiting for the scholarship results, students can miss other scholarships due to close deadlines.
To ensure you get a much-coveted Indian government scholarship for studying abroad, you must stay up-to-date with the information about the scholarship, and keep checking the scholarship portal for the date of release of applications and other information. Always applying early puts you ahead of many other scholarship aspirants and boosts your chances of getting one.
To apply for a scholarship, visit the National Scholarship Portal of the Indian government or visit the dedicated application portals and submit an application. You will also be required some personal information such as your name, address and family income to justify your reason for seeking a scholarship and you will also be required to explain - why you deserve this scholarship (among other candidates). Take this opportunity to convince the scholarship committee and then wait for their decision.
Q. What is the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme by the Indian Government?
A. The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (NOS) is a prestigious scholarship program offered by the Indian Government to help Indian students that are SC, ST, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Landless Agricultural Labourers (ALALs), and Traditional Artisans (TAs) pursue either a master's degree or a PhD abroad. It aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students to undertake advanced studies in various fields at top-ranked foreign universities.
The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme covers the tuition, visa, and health insurance fees as charged by the respective organisations. Along with this, students are also provided with an annual maintenance charge (USD 15,400 for USA and GBP 9900 for UK).
Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?
Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students
Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
- Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
- Solve previous year question papers
- Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
- Revise regularly
- Figure out weaker areas and learn them well
With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.
Q: Is MIT costly for Indians?
MIT is not costly for Indian students. Applicants can study BTech program at affordable tuition fees as compared to other BTech colleges in the USA. The MIT BTech fees is around INR 50 L to INR 52 L.
Q: What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?
The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.
Q: Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
Q: Why choose Snead State Community College for B.Tech in USA rather than University of Toledo?
Snead State Community College is a better option for acquiring your B.Tech than the University of Toledo because here you can find a better selection of engineering, computer science, and information technology degrees and courses, along with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and practical skills. Furthermore, Snead State Community College has lower tuition costs than the University of Toledo, with an average annual cost of living of $7,877 or 7,00,000 INR, while the University of Toledo's tuition and living costs are much higher.
Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?
The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.
Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?
The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:
| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
| The Guardian University Guide 2024 | #101 |
| The Complete University Guide 2024 | #117 |
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