Scholarships in India for international students

Your tuition costs in India depend heavily on your chosen institution and program. With 1,777 programs available, you can find options ranging from USD 100 to USD 350,000 per year. The average international student pays USD 6,964 annually. Some programs even offer free tuition, making it one of the most accessible destinations for high quality education.

Next step: Use our program search to filter degrees by your specific budget and see exact fee structures.

Living in India is affordable compared to Western countries. You should budget for these monthly expenses:

• Rent: Costs vary by city, but you can find student housing or shared apartments starting around USD 150 to USD 400.
• Food: Local meals and groceries typically cost between USD 100 and USD 200.
• Transport and Phone: Public transport and mobile data plans are inexpensive, usually totaling less than USD 50.

Next step: Research the specific cost of living for the city where your university is located, as prices in Mumbai or Delhi are higher than in smaller college towns.

To help pay for your studies, you can look for financial aid from several sources. The Indian government offers the Study in India (SII) scholarship, which can cover tuition, room, and board. Many individual universities also provide merit-based fee waivers for international applicants. While our database shows free tuition is available for certain tracks, these spots are competitive and often require high entrance exam scores.

Next step: Check the "Scholarships" tab on your chosen university's profile to see if you meet the eligibility criteria for a fee waiver.

The bottom line is that India offers significant savings. While an engineering or medical degree in the US, UK, or Australia can cost over USD 40,000 per year, you can find similar accredited programs in India for a fraction of that price. With an average tuition of USD 6,964, your total investment remains low while you earn a degree recognized globally.

Next step: Compare your top three Indian university choices against a UK or US alternative to see your total projected savings over four years.

Studying in India offers access to one of the largest education systems in the world. While tuition fees are often lower than in Western countries, securing a scholarship can help you manage living costs and travel. You can find several active funding programs funded by the Indian government and private institutions.

Government & National Scholarships

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (ICCR)
  Provider: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
  Value: Full tuition fee waiver, monthly living stipend of USD 216 to USD 300 depending on the degree level, and a house rent allowance.
  Eligibility: You must be a citizen of a country included in the ICCR list. You must be between 18 and 50 years old. Proficiency in English is required.
  Official URL: ICCR Scholarship Portal
• Study in India (SII) Scholarship
  Provider: Ministry of Education, Government of India
  Value: USD 3,500 per year. This covers tuition, entry fees, exams, and hostel charges.
  Eligibility: You must be a non-resident Indian or a foreign national. You must apply through the Study in India portal and take the PRAGATII exam if required by the specific cycle.
  Official URL: Study in India Official Website
• Africa Scholarship Scheme
  Provider: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
  Value: Fully funded including tuition, stipend, and medical expenses.
  Eligibility: This is specifically for students from African nations pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programs in Indian universities.
  Official URL: A2A Scholarship Portal

University-Level Scholarships

Many top-tier Indian institutions provide their own financial aid to attract international talent. These often focus on academic merit.

• Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) International PhD Fellowship
  Coverage: Full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend of USD 370 for the first two years, increasing to USD 420 for subsequent years.
  Eligibility: You must have a strong academic record in engineering or science and meet the specific department's entry requirements.
  Official URL: IIT Delhi Admissions
• Chanakya University Merit Scholarships
  Coverage: Partial to full tuition fee waivers.
  Eligibility: These are awarded based on your performance in the Chanakya University Entrance Test (CUET) or national level entrance scores. You must maintain a high GPA to renew the scholarship each year.
  Official URL: Chanakya University Financial Aid

External & Foundation Scholarships

• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
  Provider: Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation
  Value: Up to USD 120,000.
  Eligibility: While primarily for Indians going abroad, the foundation also supports specific artistic and research residencies within India for exceptional talent. You must be under 30 years old.
  Official URL: Inlaks Foundation
• L&T EduTech Excellence Awards
  Provider: L&T EduTech
  Value: Partial tuition support and industry certification credits.
  Eligibility: You must be enrolled in specific engineering or technology programs that partner with L&T EduTech. Selection depends on technical assessment scores.
  Official URL: L&T EduTech

Our Partner Scholarships

If you apply to our partner institutions like Chanakya University or programs involving L&T EduTech, you can access dedicated fee structures. These partners often offer fee concessions for early applicants or students with high scores in standardized tests like the SAT or GRE. Board Infinity and Fractal Analytics also provide skill-based discounts for students transitioning into data science and management roles through their university collaborations.

Application Tips

• Check the Timeline: Most Indian government scholarships open in February and close by late April for the July intake.
• Prepare Documents: You will need your transcripts, a valid passport, a medical fitness certificate, and an English proficiency certificate.
• Translate Records: Ensure all your academic documents are translated into English by an official translator if the originals are in another language.
• Write a Strong Statement: Clearly explain why you want to study in India. Mention how the specific course helps your career goals.
• Verify Eligibility: Some scholarships like the ICCR schemes require you to apply through the Indian Embassy in your home country. Contact them early to confirm local deadlines.