India is home to a vast and dynamic scholarship ecosystem that spans local, national, and international domains. Whether you’re an Indian student aiming to study abroad, a high school scholar seeking support for higher studies in India, or an international student targeting Indian institutions, there’s a scholarship path tailored for you. This guide explores major scholarship opportunities offered by the Indian government, philanthropic trusts, educational institutions, and state initiatives.
1. Domestic Scholarships for Indian Students
A. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
The NMMS supports meritorious students from Class 9 to 12 enrolled in government or aided schools. Awardees receive ₹12,000 annually, helping to bridge financial barriers during high school. The scheme continues to expand—recently, 292 students from Mysuru have been selected for the academic year 2024–25
B. Scholarships for Minority Communities
The Indian government offers multiple scholarships for students from minority or economically weaker segments:
- Post-Matric Scholarships for Minorities: Offered to Class 11 up to PhD students, typically open between August and November via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarships: Aim to support talented minority students pursuing professional or technical courses
- Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship: Designed for meritorious girls from minority groups in Classes 9–12
These schemes prioritize inclusion, gender equity, and academic excellence.
C. State Government & Institutional Scholarships
- Tamil Nadu Overseas Scholarships: The TN government has earmarked ₹90 crore in 2025 to support SC/ST students pursuing higher education abroad, with around 190 scholarships provisioned
- Uttar Pradesh–Chevening Partnership: In a new collaboration with the UK’s FCDO, this scheme funds master’s studies abroad for five deserving UP students annually over 2025–28
- IIT Roorkee Initiatives: The institute offers 7 scholarship programs ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹2 lakh targeted at meritorious yet financially challenged students
D. Research & PhD Funding
India also empowers research enthusiasts through competitive fellowships:
- Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF): For PhD scholars at IITs, IISc, and IISERs; provides ₹70,000/month initially, rising to ₹80,000, along with annual contingency grants of ₹2 lakh
- CSIR-UGC JRF NET Fellowship: Supports doctoral candidates in sciences with scholarships of ₹31,000/month (first 2 years) and ₹35,000/month thereafter, plus ₹20,000 contingency annually
- DBT-JRF: Focuses on biotechnology scholars, offering ₹25,000/month for first two years and ₹28,000/month in later years, including HRA
- Other fellowships: AYUSH research fellowships, SAARC agricultural PhDs, and social science scholarships for women (e.g., Swami Vivekananda Single Child Scholarship) are also available
2. Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad
India supports outbound mobility through several prestigious and fully funded scholarships:
A. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
Administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, NOS provides comprehensive support—including tuition fees, living expenses, travel, health insurance—for Master’s or PhD-level studies abroad. It’s targeted at individuals from Scheduled Castes and marginalized groups, with income and academic criteria to meet. Annual support covers approximately USD 15,400 (USA) or GBP 9,900 (UK)
B. Dr. Ambedkar Interest Subsidy Scheme
This merit-based scheme subsidizes the interest on education loans for students from OBC and economically backward classes studying abroad. Family income caps apply—₹8 lakhs for OBC and ₹2.5 lakhs for EBC eligibility
C. J.N. Tata Endowment
Established in 1892 by Jamsetji Tata, this fund offers loan-based scholarships to around 90–100 candidates annually for PhD or postdoctoral studies. Loans range up to ₹10 lakhs, with low interest and add-ons like travel grants and merit awards
D. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
Targeted at outstanding Indians pursuing postgraduate studies overseas, these scholarships can total up to USD 100,000—covering tuition, travel, living allowance, healthcare, typically for up to 2 years of study
E. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
Offered by the US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), these fellowships support Indian scholars in pursuing further studies, research, or teaching in the U.S. Eligibility includes a bachelor’s degree, leadership credentials, work experience (min. 3 years), and academic merit
F. Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust
This merit-based award is reserved for Indian women holding bachelor’s degrees in social sciences, public health, or social work. It covers tuition for postgraduate study abroad and requires existing admission to the host institution
G. Cornell–Tata Scholarship
Fully funded for undergraduate programs at Cornell University, this scholarship targets Indian students with financial need and Indian secondary foundation. It covers tuition and other fees
H. Rhodes Scholarship (Oxford University)
Every year, up to 5 Indian students receive fully funded master’s scholarships for Oxford University. It includes tuition, yearly stipend (approx. £19,092 in 2023–24), visa and health surcharge, travel, and settling-in allowances
3. Scholarships for International Students to Study in India
India welcomes global scholars too, through several inviting schemes:
- ICCR – General Scholarship Scheme (GSS): Administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, this scheme supports undergraduates, postgraduates, and research students from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Funding includes stipend, accommodation, medical benefits, and sometimes travel grants. Undergraduate stipend: INR 5,500; postgraduate: INR 6,000; research: INR 7,000–7,500
- AYUSH Scholarships: Available to international students pursuing traditional medicine degrees in India across Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy
- ITEC/SCAAP Programs: Short-term fully funded training in areas like marketing, entrepreneurship, water and sanitation for students from developing countries. Covers tuition waiver, accommodation allowance (~INR 25,000), books, airfare, visa fees, and more
- GCSS, SAARC Scholarships, MHRD Scholarships: Programs administered for students from specific regions (e.g., Commonwealth or SAARC countries) to pursue various levels of higher education in India
4. Foundation- & NGO-Led Scholarship Initiatives
Foundation for Excellence (FFE)
FFE is a non-profit organization supporting academically brilliant but financially underprivileged Indian students pursuing engineering, medicine, pharmacy, or law. Since 1994, it has disbursed over USD 11.4 million in scholarships to nearly 38,168 students across 28 states The program includes mentorship, employability training, and a donor-partner “Adopt a Scholar” model.
Avanti Fellows
Partnering with Tata AIG, Avanti Fellows provides STEM-focused scholarships enriched by coaching and mentoring for meritorious female students from underserved backgrounds. It also supports rural students preparing for entrance exams like JEE through institute collaborations, such as with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas
5. Accessibility via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
The National Scholarship Portal is India’s digital gateway for applying to hundreds of government-run scholarship schemes. Managed by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, the portal simplifies processes by enabling centralized submission, verification, and disbursement of financial aid via direct benefit transfers (DBT)
6. How to Build a Strong Scholarship Application Strategy
- Define Your Goal: Are you studying within India, planning abroad, or aiming to come to India? Your choice shapes applicable options.
- Identify Relevant Schemes: Use NSP for government schemes; foundations and universities have their own portals.
- Understand Eligibility: Check age, income limits, academic standing, nationality, and intended course levels.
- Track Deadlines: Initiatives like Rhodes Scholarship open from early June to late July Shiksha; other schemes align with the academic calendar—monitor application windows closely.
- Prepare Documents Early: Gather transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of admission (if required), research proposals, and necessary certificates (e.g., caste, income).
- Craft a Compelling Profile: Highlight leadership, community impact, academic excellence, and alignment with scholarship values.
- Apply Widely, with Focus: Tailor each application, but don’t limit yourself to a single opportunity.
- Follow Up & Plan Ahead: Post-selection, be ready for logistics like visas, financial planning, and transitioning—especially for international programs.
Conclusion
India’s scholarship landscape is rich and multifaceted, offering abundant opportunities across levels, disciplines, and geographies. From nurturing domestic talent via NMMS, PMRF, and IIT scholarships, to supporting global academic mobility through Rhodes, Fulbright, and Inlaks awards, there is a well-structured path for capable students. International learners are also welcomed through ICCR, AYUSH, ITEC, and other schemes.
Your success depends on proactive planning, clear goal-setting, and thorough preparation. With the right approach, funding your academic journey—whether within India or abroad—can become a reality.