Best Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad 2024

Scholarships Offered by the Indian Government

Does the Indian Government offer scholarship for abroad studies? So, the answer is Yes. Many students ain’t aware of these schemes because of less awareness. So, here we’ve compiled a list that shows the names of these grants with their associated benefits.

Let’s go through each scholarship to study abroad for Indian students one by one in the next sub-section!

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Top Indian Government Scholarships

Here’s a detailed explanation of the scholarships proposed by the Indian government for students to study abroad:

1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships
This funding program offers grants for all aspiring Indian students to pursue an MS course at selected US-based universities. This scholarship covers tuition fees, airfare, living costs, and health insurance for up to 2 years of course. In addition to this, the application process for the academic year 2025-26 began on January 30, 2024. Hence, this could be the best scholarship for Indian students to study abroad!
Here are the scholarship details:

Eligibility Criteria for the Fellowship:

Here are the conditions a candidate must fulfil to be considered as a fit candidate for Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships:

• Only eligible for specific field of study areas
• Have completed UG degree, must be equivalent to US bachelor’s degree - 4-year bachelor’s, master’s or PG Diploma
• Must have secured at least 55 percentile in the last qualified exam
• Should not have a previous degree from the USA
• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in related domain (full time, paid)
• Must indicate leadership and community service experience.

2. Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
This fellowship promotes Indian students who are enrolled for a PhD course at an Indian institution. They can perform their research essential to their thesis/dissertations in the States. Moreover, this fellowship program is for 6-9 months.
In addition to this, the application process for the Fulbright Nehru Doctoral Research scheme is running for the August / September 2025 program. Learn more about this scholarship for abroad studies by Indian government with this table below:

Eligibility Criteria for the Fellowship Scheme:

Applicants must fulfil the following eligibility criteria to be applicable for this fellowship program, since it is amongst the best scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government covering almost every area of study to pursue a PhD:

• Applicants must have done an extensive amount of research based on their study program.
• On the application form, one of the recommenders must be a PhD supervisor who can mention the applicant’s research, need for the fellowship, and PhD registration date and topic.
• Application must be registered for PhD at an Indian institution on or before November 1, 2023.
• Expected PhD submission date must be at least 3 months after the Fulbright-Nehru grant closure date.
• Must have presented or published paper / extracts from the Master’s / M.Phil. studies.

For more detailed information on the eligibility criteria, you may refer to their official website which is mentioned in the above table.

3. Dr Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan
It is a government initiative that provides financial support to all the candidates who belong to economically weaker sections of Indian society and want to pursue higher studies abroad. Although it is not directly considered a government scheme it’s a tactic that helps to reduce interest on education loans.
Hence, it indirectly provides support for candidates who are studying in a foreign university. Additionally, this scheme targets students from SC and OBC classes. Here’s a detailed explanation of this overseas scholarship for Indian students:

Also Read: Here is How to Get Fully Funded Scholarship for MS in USA!

Eligibility Criteria for the Fellowship Scheme:

Following criteria must be met by the candidate to be eligible for this scholarship program:

• Must be categorized in Scheduled Caste (SC) or Other Backward Class (OBC).
• Candidate must have secured admission in the approved courses (mentioned above) at master, M.Phil or PhD levels abroad.
• Loan must have taken from a scheduled bank under the IBA (Indian Banks Association) scheme.
• Loans taken from NBFCs are not eligible to apply for this scholarship scheme.
• Total incomes from all sources of the applicant must not exceed Rs. 8 Lakhs per annum for OBC and Rs. 5 Lakhs / annum for EBC.
• Maximum limit of the loan taken by the candidate is INR 20 Lakhs.

4. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
This is an esteemed scholarship to study abroad for Indian students. This grant is designed primarily for all Indian aspirants who wish to pursue their academics in Modern Indian Studies in areas like History, Economics, and Political Science. Moreover, this fellowship is a part of some foreign institutions including, St. Antony’s College and, the University of Oxford in the UK.
In addition to this, every year only one scholar is selected for this fellowship scheme and is placed as a Junior Research Fellow at St. Antony’s College. Here’s a more detailed analysis of this program:

Eligibility Criteria for the Fellowship Scheme:

Following are the conditions that you must follow to avail benefits of this funding scheme to get into St. Antony’s College, UK:

• Indian nationals aged within 30-40 years as of October of the intake year.
• Must have secured brilliant academic records with 60% aggregate at a Master’s degree level.
• Along with a PhD degree in the related subject field or have published works / papers of equivalent merit.
• Minimum 3 years of teaching experience at Graduate or Post-Graduate level.

5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters is a prestigious, integrated, international scholarship program that was jointly designed and delivered by a group of higher education institutions. Moreover, it is offered by numerous participating European universities, Hence, it is counted among the best international scholarships for Indian students looking to pursue master’s or doctoral-level studies around the world.
In addition to this, this scheme aims to foster academic excellence, international coordination, and intercultural understanding in higher education. You can check out more about this grant:

Eligibility Criteria for the Fellowship Scheme:

The following conditions must be met by a student to be eligible for this funding program:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (first degree), or must be in last year of the undergraduate study program. Also, your degree must be recognized in the degree awarding country.
• Must complete the graduation before the master’s program starts
• Be proficient in the language of instruction for the program you’re applying to
• Must meet the nationality requirements, although the Erasmus Mundus scheme is open to all EU and non-EU students.

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6. National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste (SC) Students
It is also counted amongst the best Indian scholarships to study abroad which was proposed by the Government of India. It is designed for Indian students to pursue higher education abroad for various Master's, PhD, and Post-Doctoral research programs. Moreover, it aims to target students who belong to Scheduled Castes, denotified nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, traditional artisans, and landless agricultural labourers.br>Hence, this scheme allows socially and economically disadvantaged students to study overseas at a reputable institute. Here are the more informative insights on this funding program:

Eligibility Criteria for the Fellowship Scheme:

Please refer to the following conditions to check your eligibility to apply for the National Overseas Scholarship program:

• For master’s courses, a minimum of 60% or equivalent aggregate in your undergraduate degree program.
• For a doctorate or PhD, a minimum of 60% or its equivalent at the master’s degree level.
• Candidates who demonstrate relevant professional experience will be given priority.
• Maximum age limit allowed is not more than 35 years as on 1st April for the selection year.
• Total family income from all sources should not exceed INR 8,00,000 per annum.
• Not more than 2 children of the same parent will be eligible for the scholarship program.
• Further, candidates are also required to achieve the minimum score requirements on English Proficiency exams like IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL and Standardized exams such as the GMAT or GRE.

Also Read: A Brief on the Difference Between Fellowship and Scholarship

7. The Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust
It is a funding program proposed by Sir Dorabji Tata in memory of his wife, Lady Meherbai D Tata. This scheme is specifically designed for Indian women who wish to pursue their higher education in a foreign university. It is categorized among the best Indian scholarships to study abroad since it supports an outstanding woman to achieve academic excellence in their respective study program. Refer to the table below for more insights into this scholarship scheme:

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship Program:

To apply for the Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship, women candidates across India from their prescribed study program must meet the following requirements:

• Indian women graduate from a reputed Indian institution.
• A remarkable academic record from previous course of study.
• Applicants must have all their academic scores, degree or certificates of UG course in hand to be considered eligible to submit their application.
• Must have applied for admission or have secured admission in any of the reputed universities in the countries, including the United States, the UK or Europe for the academic year 2024-25.
• Lastly, graduates with a relevant paid professional experience will be given additional preference.

8. The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarships
The Inlaks scholarship is awarded to highly talented Indian scholars to pursue their post-graduation, M.Phil or doctoral programs at top American, UK, and European institutions. The application portal typically opens in January or February month and closes in March or April every year.
In addition to this, this scholarship program holds significant value across the country because of its partnership with prestigious institutions such as Imperial College, the University of Cambridge, the Royal College of Art, Science Po Paris, and King’s College London. Let’s dive more into this funding program via the table below:

Eligibility Criteria for the Scholarship Program:

Here are the following criteria an Indian students must meet to apply for this scholarship scheme;

• All Indian passport holders who have been residing in India and were born on or after 1st January 1994 are eligible to apply for Inlaks Shivdasani scholarship. (Final year students can also fill in the application form)
• Required percentage or grade for subjects, including-

a)For Social Sciences, Law, Architecture, Fine Arts, Humanities and related subjects, candidates must have scored a minimum academic grade of 65% from a recognized Indian college.
b)For Science, Mathematics, Environment and related subjects, students must hold a minimum academic grade of 70% from a recognized Indian institution.

• It is mandatory to have an offer letter from the applied university abroad at the time of making an application.

9. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program
This scholarship program offers merit-based interest free loan scholarships to aspiring Indian students who want to pursue higher studies in renowned institutions in India or abroad. Moreover, this scheme is limited to selected field of study programs. Further, candidates have to repay the loan amount from the 2nd year of their course and must be completed by the last year of their study program. Let’s grab more information about this scholarship:

Eligibility Criteria for the Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship Program

To be eligible for the funding scheme, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Must be an Indian resident
• Applicant must be below 30 years as of Jan 31, 2024.
• Must have completed their graduation from an accredited Indian university. In addition, students in the final year of their degree are also eligible to apply for the scholarship.
• Must have secured an offer letter for the PG course at the top ranking institutions starting in Fall 2024.
• Applicants who have applied for a university and are awaiting an acceptance are also eligible to apply.

10. Aga Khan Foundation - International Scholarship Program (ISP)
This foundation provides a limited number of grants each year for candidates looking to pursue a PG course abroad. It gives a chance to aspirants from developing countries to pursue their higher education at well-known universities in any of the foreign countries. For instance, in the USA, UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Italy, France, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, Ireland, Netherlands.
The foundation is again a half grant and half loan based, meaning the candidates need to pay 50% of their scholarship amount. The repayment cycle generally starts after 6 months of course completion and 5 years. While it also starts after completing 2 years, if the student is studying in any developing country. Let’s gain more insights into this scholarship program:

Eligibility Criteria for the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Program

To be eligible for the Aga Khan Foundation, a candidate must-

• Have brilliant academic scores in their last course.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent certificate at the time of applying
• Got an offer letter from a recognized foreign university to pursue a post-graduate program.
• Hold leadership potential, professional experience, any extra curricular achievements, or volunteering experience.

Hence, these are the popular scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government with their eligibility. To gather more details, you may check out their official website for the latest updates on the coming application portal opening dates.
Moreover, there are more funding schemes available including university-specific and more. So, check out the next section!

Other Popular Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Are you looking to study in top foreign universities? Are you facing the dilemma of how you will cover the high tuition cost? Well, there are certain international scholarships for Indian students looking to study in the USA, UK or any other English-speaking nation. Remember, these are either university or country specific. So, we’ve provided some scholarships below based on your target country!

1. AAUW International Fellowship

This financial aid is provided by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to all non-US females. This scholarship program aims to promote equity and education among women. More than 3600 women from more than 150 nations have been given this scholarship over the past few years. Thus, Indian women who’ve been looking to study MS in the USA can avail the benefits of this fellowship. Check out what expenses are covered by this financial aid!

2. Felix Scholarship

This scholarship was designed to provide support to academically yet financially deprived students from India and other developing countries. It enables aspiring scholars to live their dreams or to pursue PG programs at leading institutions in the UK. Some include the University of Oxford, the Schools of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), and the University of Reading. Moreover, each year approximately 20 students get the privilege of this funding scheme, which covers a wide range of courses except medicine programs. Here are more insights about the Felix Scholarship:

3. Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships

This fellowship allows students from the Commonwealth countries to study and work in the UK. Candidates who want to pursue their PG and doctoral degrees in Engineering & Technology, Pure and Applied Sciences, Agriculture & Allied Fields, Humanities and Social Science can avail the benefits of this funding scheme. Moreover, almost 800 students are selected every year for this scholarship while the appointed candidates will enjoy full coverage of their expenses with a monthly stipend. With this, let’s learn more about Commonwealth via the table below:

4. Griffith Remarkable Scholarship

This financial aid rewards exceptional students to study any UG and PG coursework degree programs at Griffith University. It helps in covering tuition fees and other educational expenses based on the chosen study program. To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates need to have at least 70% or above in past courses. Let’s have an overview of the funding program with this table:

Have queries on how to get scholarship to study abroad? Especially those covering 100% of tuition costs and other related expenses. Worry not, keep scrolling and get the step-wise procedure to avail the benefits of such financial aid! Before that, let’s learn the basic difference between scholarships & education loan.

Difference Between Scholarships & Student Loan

Aspiring students planning to study abroad often get confused when it comes to funding the tuition fees and other costs. So, there are 2 key options to finance expenses when living abroad: loans and scholarships. Thus, here’s a detailed overview of how student loans differ from scholarships.

So, let’s take a final step to learn how to get scholarship to study abroad and understand the process.

Application Procedure for Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad

Now let us look at the process to apply for the Indian Government scholarships to study in a foreign country.

Also, remember students can only proceed with the remaining steps if they fulfil the required eligibility conditions. Hence, to get scholarship from government to study abroad, they must check their eligibility and prepare the necessary documents prior filling the application form. Also, the next section covers the paperwork required to apply for a scholarship for Indian students to study abroad. Thus, scroll down and check it out!

Also Read: A Complete Guide on How to Get Scholarship to Study Abroad

Documents Required for Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad

The documents needed to apply for any Government scholarship for abroad studies vary based on scheme, country, university, or the course you’re applying to. The general requirements are mentioned below:

Apart from these, if you need more insights on the documents and other paperwork, you can even refer to this blog

In conclusion, the journey to securing a scholarship for abroad studies might be difficult, but it becomes possible if you have the dedication and proper resources to get one. Hence, do detailed research, fill in the application with the required paperwork, and meet your deadlines. However, if you find the process difficult, consider talking to experts at Gradding.com or fix a one-to-one counselling session. Fly to your dream country today!

FAQs

Q.1 How Can I Get Scholarships in India to Study Abroad After 12th?

Here are the tips you must keep in mind to secure a scholarship for Indian students to study abroad:

• Make Research on Available Scholarships
• Note Down the Scholarship Details
• Analyze Your Marks and Apply For the Scholarships
• Be Clear on Which Country You Want to Study in
• Lastly, Refer to the Original Offering Body For Updated Information.

Q.2 How Can I Get a Scholarship to Study Abroad in India After the 10th ?

For the question, how to get scholarship to study abroad, here’s your answer. Check out your target institution and colleges by referring to their official websites. Since many universities provide scholarships to deserving overseas scholars. Hence, you can check out various Government schemes offered by home and host country officials.

Q.3 Can I Get 100% Scholarships to Study Abroad?

Yes, it is possible to get a 100% scholarship to study abroad. You must fulfil the required criteria set by the universities and government to avail the benefits of such financial aid.