Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad
Exploring government scholarships for abroad studies is one of the safest ways for Indian applicants to secure full financial backing for higher education overseas. The Indian government runs several scholarship schemes to help students fund an overseas degree, particularly for postgraduate and doctoral study. These schemes typically cover tuition, living costs, travel, and sometimes health insurance.
| Scholarship | Type | Typically covers |
|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship | Merit-based | Tuition fees, living costs, travel allowance, J-1 visa support, accident and sickness coverage |
| National Overseas Scholarship Scheme | Student specific | Tuition, USD 15,400/year maintenance allowance (GBP 9,900/year for the UK), airfare, visa fees, medical insurance |
| National Overseas Scholarship for ST students | Student specific | Same coverage as the above scheme, run separately by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
| Dr Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy | Need based | 100% interest subsidy on an education loan up to INR 20 lakh during the moratorium period |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | Merit-based / Need-based (Loan) | Loan scholarship up to ₹10 Lakhs to ₹20 Lakhs, plus potential travel assistance and gift scholarships for top candidates. |
Sources: usief.org.in, socialjustice.gov.in, overseas.tribal.gov.in
The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship is a merit-based award administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation for professionals with at least 3 years of work experience who are entering a U.S. master's program. The application cycle usually opens in February and closes in mid-July.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. This supports Scheduled Caste, Denotified/Nomadic/Semi-Nomadic Tribe, Landless Agricultural Labourer, and Traditional Artisan students, offering 125 awards annually with a 30% reservation for women.
To qualify, candidates must possess a minimum of 60% in their prerequisite degree and an annual family income under ₹8 Lakh. Applications typically close each June. Additionally, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs operates a separate, parallel program for Scheduled Tribe students, providing approximately 20 awards per year under equivalent terms.
Dr Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy supports OBC and EBC students (with annual family income under ₹8 Lakh) with a 100% interest subsidy on an education loan of up to INR 20 lakh during the moratorium period (course duration plus one year, or six months after employment, whichever comes first). Canara Bank manages the scheme as the nodal bank.
The JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship supports Indian graduates pursuing master’s, doctoral, or post-doctoral studies abroad across all disciplines. Selected scholars receive a partial loan that can be combined with other awards or scholarships.
Prestigious scholarships from foreign governments and institutions
Many foreign governments offer competitive, fully funded master's scholarships covering complete tuition, monthly living stipends, and travel expenses
Chevening Scholarship (UK government)
Chevening is the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's flagship award for future leaders. It funds a one-year taught master's at any UK university. Applications for the 2027-2028 intake are open through 6 October 2026.
| Type | Merit-based, destination-specific |
|---|
| What it covers | Full tuition (up to a set annual cap), a monthly stipend of roughly GBP 1,200 to 1,350 outside London (GBP 1,500 to 1,690 in London), return economy flights, a one-time arrival allowance |
|---|
| Degree level | One-year taught master's |
|---|
Source: chevening.org
Commonwealth Scholarship
Funded by the UK government and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, this award supports students from eligible Commonwealth countries, with selection weighted toward development impact back home. Indian applicants apply through both the CSC portal and the Ministry of Education's SAKSHAT portal. The application cycle opens around August- September.
| Type | Merit-based, destination-specific |
|---|
| What it covers | Full tuition, monthly living allowance of roughly GBP 1,347 to 1,378 (higher in London), return airfare, warm clothing allowance |
|---|
| Degree level | One-year taught master's |
|---|
Source: study-uk.britishcouncil.org
GREAT Scholarships
Jointly funded by the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council, and partner universities, this program offers 12 postgraduate scholarships to Indian students for 2026-27 across universities including Bristol, Surrey, Reading, Dundee, Queen's University Belfast, and the Royal College of Art.
| Type | Merit-based, destination-specific |
|---|
| What it covers | Minimum GBP 10,000 toward tuition fees |
|---|
| Degree level | One-year taught master's |
|---|
Source: britishcouncil.in
Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship
Run by the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, this is one of the largest private scholarships available to Indian students, though it excludes engineering, computer science, medicine, MBA, and management courses. It's aimed at humanities, social sciences, fine arts, law, architecture, and pure sciences.
| Type | Merit-based |
|---|
| What it covers | Up to USD 120,000 total (not annual), covering tuition, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs, and health allowance |
|---|
| Degree level | Master's, MPhil, or PhD |
|---|
Source: inlaksfoundation.org
Scholarships by study destination
Funding options look different depending on where you want to study. Here's a quick look at what's available across the destinations Gradstar works with most.
Scholarships to study in Australia
Australian universities and the federal government offer prestigious scholarships for Indian students to study in Australia, providing tuition waivers, living allowances, and health coverage.
Explore top 2027 scholarships to study in Australia →Scholarships to study in the UK
UK universities, the British Council, and select government-backed programs offer funding to Indian students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Explore UK scholarships and funding options for Indian students →Scholarships to study in Dubai
Dubai's universities run their own merit-based tuition waivers rather than large national scholarship schemes, with reductions commonly ranging from 15% to 50% based on your academic scores, and a handful of institutions offering close to full funding for top applicants.
Browse merit-based university scholarships in Dubai →Scholarships to study in New Zealand
New Zealand's government scholarships focus heavily on postgraduate research and on strengthening ties with Commonwealth and Pacific-region students.
Explore scholarships in New Zealand. →Scholarships to study in China
Offered by the CSC, the main China scholarship provides China scholarships for international students that fully cover tuition, campus housing, monthly stipends, and medical insurance to study in the top China universities.
Explore scholarships in China. →Scholarships to study in the USA
US universities compete for international talent, so scholarship options span merit awards, need-based aid, and fellowships tied to specific fields like public health or climate research.
Browse US university scholarships for international master's programs →Scholarships to study in Canada
Canadian universities, provincial governments, and independent foundations all run scholarship programs, and Indian students make up a large share of successful applicants each year. With major funding opportunities like the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, scholarships in Canada for international students help high-achieving applicants manage tuition and living costs.
Explore Canadian master's and PhD scholarships for Indian students →Scholarships to study in Ireland
Irish universities and the Irish government fund a mix of merit scholarships and postgraduate research awards, with several institutions offering dedicated entry scholarships for Indian students. The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship provides full fee waivers and stipends, making scholarships in Ireland for international students a popular choice for postgraduate study.
Explore scholarships in Ireland →Scholarships to study in Germany
Germany's public universities already charge low tuition for many programs, and scholarships here usually go toward living costs, research grants, or specific master's and PhD tracks.
Explore scholarships in Germany. →Scholarships for School & High School Graduates
Indian students planning to study abroad after 10th or 12th grade can access several prestigious, high-value financial aid programs across top destinations including Australia, the UK, the US, and Canada.
Scholarships for Studies After 10th (High School / IB Level)
| Scholarship Name / Provider | Target Program | Coverage & Value | Selection & Eligibility Details |
|---|
| United World Colleges (UWC) Financial Aid | 2-year International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | Need-based financial aid ranging from partial tuition reductions up to 100% full funding (covers tuition, room, board, and study materials; valued at up to ₹28.75+ Lakhs annually) | Awarded via national selection committees based on financial need and personal merit rather than test scores alone. |
Scholarships for Studies After 12th (Undergraduate Degrees)
| Scholarship Name / Institution | Country / Region | Coverage & Value | Selection & Eligibility Details |
|---|
| Destination Australia Scholarship | Australia | Up to AUD $15,000 per year for the duration of the undergraduate program | Funded by the Australian Government to encourage international students to study at regional universities across Australia. |
| Monash International Leadership Scholarship | Australia | 100% full tuition fee coverage for the full duration of a bachelor’s degree | Offered directly by Monash University to high-achieving international applicants based on academic excellence and leadership potential. |
| Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship | Canada (University of Toronto) | Fully funded (covers full 4-year tuition, textbooks, incidental fees, and full residence support) | Canada's most prestigious undergraduate award for international high school graduates; requires direct nomination by your secondary school. |
| University Excellence Schemes & Financial Aid | UK & USA | Partial to full tuition waivers ranging from £2,000 to £10,000 annually in the UK, up to full tuition & need-based aid across top US universities (e.g., Harvard, Amherst, Dartmouth) | US universities evaluate international high school applicants under need-aware or need-blind policies, matching financial assistance directly to family income profiles. |
How to apply for a scholarship to study abroad
01Shortlist early
Match scholarships to your destination, course, and profile well ahead of deadlines.
02Gather your documents
Transcripts, recommendation letters, a statement of purpose, and admission proof all take time to collect.
03Meet the test requirements
Most scholarships expect a minimum IELTS, GRE, or similar test score.
04Write a focused essay
Speak to your achievements, your goals, and how this scholarship fits your plans.
05Apply to more than one
There's no rule limiting you to a single scholarship.
06Get expert input
A study abroad counsellor can flag scholarships you might otherwise miss.
Learn more about how you can fund your study abroad.
FAQs on Scholarships to Study Abroad for Indian Students
Are Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships open right now?
Yes, Chevening's 2027-28 round is open until 6 October 2026. Commonwealth 2027-28 applications open around August-September 2026.
Do I need an admission offer before applying?
It depends on the scholarship. Chevening and the Commonwealth Scholarship require you to apply before a confirmed offer, while Inlaks Shivdasani generally expects one already in hand.
Can I combine a government loan scholarship with another award?
The JN Tata Endowment can be combined with other funding, but National Overseas Scholarship recipients can't draw outside employment income or stack another government scheme on top.
Which scholarships are fully funded?
Chevening, the Commonwealth Scholarship, the National Overseas Scholarship, and the Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship are the closest to fully funded here, covering tuition, living costs, and travel together.
Are there scholarships that don't require engineering or MBA students to look elsewhere?
Yes. GREAT Scholarships and Fulbright-Nehru accept a wide range of subjects, while Inlaks Shivdasani specifically excludes engineering, computer science, and management.
