Every year, thousands of hundreds of talented Indian students who want to study abroad put their overseas education dreams on hold not because they lack in marks, but due to the financial weight that comes with that dream. What many do not realise is that to fill this gap, Indian government scholarships for studying abroad does exist. To provide a helping hand to the ambitious students we have fully funded fellowships in the USA, research grants in France, and many more in the list.
Whether you are planning to go abroad for Undergraduate, a master’s degree, a PhD, or a short-term study abroad, knowing the right scholarship can completely change your journey. This curated guide covers everything you require from the list of top schemes, their eligibility, coverage, to simple and effective application process.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Cost of studying abroad has hiked gradually in the year 2025-26. Several factors such as tuition fees, living expenses, visa costs, and health insurance together can make up to ₹40–80 lakhs for a two-year master’s programme. Study abroad scholarships are therefore not just helpful they are often the deciding and guiding factor between yes and no for a student who want to study abroad.
Every year, a range of study abroad scholarships are being funded by the Indian government, with the help of multiple ministries and bilateral agreements. Indian Government Scholarships for studying abroad are accessible to students across economic backgrounds, academic levels, and social categories. There are different kinds of scholarships, some are fully funded that covers all the financial load, some are semi-funded which are specifically responsible for the tuition fee support, and others provide interest subsidies on education loans.
These government-backed options are credible and reliable for their work. The Ministry of Education, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Department of Social Justice, handle and administers these scholarships. Host country often signs bilateral agreements with these governing bodies for the smooth conduction of fellowships.
Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad 2026
Here are some of the top Indian government scholarships for studying abroad 2026:
1. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
It is one of the oldest, most reliable, and targeted scholarship in terms of study abroad option. It is administered and maintained by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is specifically designed to support students from SC, Denotified Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans who wish to pursue education overseas.
125 annual seats are available for this scholarship that includes 115 for SC, 6 for DNT, 4 for agricultural labourers/artisans. This covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, contingency charges, and travel costs.
Income limit: Family income of the students has to be below ₹6 lakhs/annum
Gender reservation: 30% of annual slots reserved for women
Apply at: nosmsje.gov.in
2. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
If we talk about some prestigious options then this scholarship fulfils all the checklist accurately. The government of India and the US jointly started this initiative.
Eligibility: you have to be an Indian citizen, with minimum 55% in bachelor’s degree, at least 3 years of relevant work experience, age below 45. It covers Full tuition, health insurance, J-1 visa support, economy class round-trip airfare, and living allowance
Fields: Public policy, education, environmental science, economics, STEM, and more
Application: Administered by USIEF; apply at apply.iie.org
Note: Once the course duration is over, recipient is expected to return back to the native country.
3. Raman Charpak Fellowship (India–France)
The funds for this scholarship are jointly maintained and held by India’s Department of Science and Technology and the French Institute in India. This fellowship allows Indian PhD students to conduct their research in French institutes for a stretch of 3-6 months. Eligibility for this includes that student has to be registered as a PhD scholar at a recognised Indian university, with an age limit that is below 30.
Fields: Science, Technology, Engineering and Management subjects and select social sciences subjects also.
Coverage: Monthly stipend of €1,500, travel support, visa assistance, and accommodation help
Application window: Usually opens January–March each year
4. JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
This scholarship is backed by Tata Trusts; it was founded in 1892 by Jamsetji Tata. Around 90–100 scholars are selected every year across all disciplines. This fellowship allows Indian student to avail a price range of ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakhs.
Eligibility: Indian citizen, with minimum 60% marks in qualifying degree, confirmed admission to a reputed foreign university
No collateral required, but a guarantor (typically a parent or guardian) is mandatory
Application: Submit request by email at igpedulmdtet@tatatrusts.org between March–April each year
Scholarships for Studying Abroad by Indian Government After 12th
Students pursuing 12th grade often thins that most of the Indian government scholarships are only for postgraduate and doctoral degree students. This is not true; there are some of the good scholarships that back 12th graders also.
Here are some of the good options that they can consider:
- State Government Scholarships: 12th pass students especially from minority group are backed by the Chief Minister’s Overseas Scholarship Scheme (Telangana). Similar programmes also run in Maharashtra, Punjab, and Kerala that offer direct support to students.
- University-Level Scholarships: Top countries like Ireland (Education Future International Scholarship), Germany (DAAD for undergraduates), and Canada (Vanier Scholarships for advanced students) offer merit-based funding to Indian undergraduates directly through institutions.
- GREAT Scholarships (UK): Available at 20 UK universities, this scholarship is open to Indian students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. It is backed by the British Council and the UK Government.
The majors for 12th-pass students to keep in mind to avail best scholarship is to apply early, maintain strong academic records, and target institutions that have specific bilateral agreements with India.
Also Read – Career Guidance for Students
Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students
Not all scholarships are fully funded scholarships for Indian students — some cover only tuition fee, while others include living costs, travel, and health insurance.
Here is a quick comparison to help you identify the most reliable and acceptable options that fits in your journey perfectly:
| Scholarship | Level | Fully Funded? | Country |
| Fulbright-Nehru | Master’s | ✅ Yes | USA |
| National Overseas Scholarship | Master’s / PhD | ✅ Yes | Multiple |
| Raman Charpak Fellowship | PhD (Research) | ✅ Yes | France |
| Fulbright-Kalam Climate | PhD (Research) | ✅ Yes | USA |
| Ms Agatha Harrison | Research | ✅ Yes | UK |
| JN Tata Endowment | PG / PhD / Post-Doc | Partial (Loan) | Multiple |
| ISEL (Dr Ambedkar) | Postgraduate | Interest Subsidy | Multiple |
How to Apply for Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad:
Step 1 – Check Eligibility
Step 2 – Secure Admission First
Step 3 – Gather Important Documents
Step 4 – Apply Online
Step 5 – Track Deadlines
Conclusion on the Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad
Due to a lag in system of information circulation, most students are shocked to find out that Indian government scholarships for studying abroad often go unclaimed. This lag appears not at the cost that the student can’t claim them, it appears because nobody told them about the scholarships and how to apply for them. The paperwork can be a constraint at first glance, but once you crack it down step by step especially with the help of our guide, it is far more manageable than it seems.
Think about it this way whether you are the first person in your family to even consider a PhD abroad, or a working professional who has spent years dreaming of that US master’s in public policy, someone sat down and designed one of these scholarships with exactly your situation in mind. The opportunity is real. What its needs from you are a little early planning, an organised approach, and the willingness to not give up at the first confusing form.
So, if you are fully fuelled to rocket up your abroad journey, fill out our free scholarship counselling form today and let our team help you figure out which Indian government scholarships for studying abroad actually fit your profile before the 2025–26 application windows close.