Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad in 2025

Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

I have been helping hundreds of students in achieving their dreams of studying abroad for several years as a study abroad education consultant. Personally, I think the world of scholarships and all the different forms of scholarships is confusing.

I decided to write this article to inform you about the Indian government scholarships for 2025. These scholarships will ease the financial load and enable talented students to pursue overseas education.

Table of Contents

Summary

Here is an overview of the key scholarships that the Indian government offers to study abroad:

Central Government Scholarships:
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, National Overseas Scholarship, and more.
State Government Scholarships: Kerala State Higher Education Council Scholarships, YSR Vidyonnathi Scheme, and others.
Benefits Covered:  Tuition fees, living and travel expenses, and additional allowance.
Eligibility: varies according on the scholarship, usually needing income and academic merit.
Total Financial Aid: Varies according to the curriculum, ranging from ₹2 lakhs to USD 33,800 each year.

Central Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Fulbright-Nehru MastersFellowships

In my experience, Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowships are one of the most sought-after scholarships, awarded to deserving students who demonstrate leadership potential and possess the academic credentials and professional experience necessary to study in the USA.

For a maximum of two years of study, the fellowship covers living expenses, tuition, airfare, and health insurance. They provide scholarships for postgraduate study in disciplines including public administration, science, arts, public health, and economics.

National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)

By providing scholarship opportunitiesto study abroad, the National Overseas Scholarship significantly contributes to funding higher education, including postgraduate or Ph.D. courses, for students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other marginalized groups. Approximately 115 out of 125 scholarships are awarded to SC candidates each year.

JN Tata Endowment - Higher Education of Indians

I have seen many students benefit from the JN Tata Endowment Scholarships provided to Indians to study abroad for Masters, PhD and Postdoctoral degrees. This merit-based fellowship was created by Jamsetji Nussarwanji Tata in 1892 and has been awarded to 5,600 students. It provides some financial assistance to students, including accommodation.

Great Scholarships India

Students who wish to continue their studies in the UK have a great opportunity with these scholarships, which are offered in partnership with the British Council. These excellent scholarships cover tuition fees of at least £10,000 for a one-year postgraduate degree.

Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship

The Ms Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is a fellowship awarded by the Indian Ministry of Human Resource and Development to anyone interested in political science, economics or history. Each year, one student is selected to receive the fellowship and is sent to St Antony’s College, University of Oxford, London, as a Junior Research Fellow.

Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Program of Interest Subsidy

For students from lower-income classes, the Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme program provides significant financial support by offering interest discounts on student loans to the Other Backward Classes and Economically Backward Classes studying overseas for master’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees

State Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Thus, there exist a few state government scholarship lists. These scholarships have enabled those with financial hardships students to continue higher education overseas. Based on my findings, I have observed students using state scholarships to further their studies overseas.

Students who reside in their respective states and have exceptional academic records are often eligible for these scholarships.

In addition to covering tuition fees, several state governments additionally assist with maintenance allowances and accommodation expenses for students in postgraduate and doctorate studies.

I’ve highlighted a few of the most popular ones for you to look into with your own states.

Ambedkar Overseas Vidyanidhi Yojana

For students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the scholarship program provides major financial assistance for overseas studies to SC/BC students whose family income is less than Rs 6 lakh per annum. A total of up to Rs 20 lakh will be provided.

Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department Program

Hundreds of Tamil Nadu SC/ST students pursuing higher education abroad have benefited from this program so far. Students come from families earning less than ₹8 lakh per annum. The total annual amount supported is up to USD 33,800.

Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) Scholarships

For residents of Kerala who have excelled academically. The maximum award amount is Rs 10 lakh.

Dr. Panjabarao Deshmukh Lodging Nirvaha Bhatta

For students from low-income families in the state of Maharashtra. The annual amount sponsored is Rs 2 lakh.

Karnataka Minority Development Corporation (KMDC) Scholarships

An excellent opportunity for minority students from Karnataka who are highly skilled in their subjects of study. The amount varies according to the specific course

Conclusion

In my own experience, I have seen students who are getting scholarships from the Government of India who have excellent academics and they are all very blessed. Some scholarships provide full living expenses and full tuition fees along with all the additional support.

Opportunities also arise for those belonging to minority communities or economically weaker sections of society. Take some time to explore and don’t be afraid to ask for advice or get in touch because your dream may come sooner than you think. All the best

Read out my best blog post on Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in the USA (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Indian students who meet certain eligibility requirements and have a solid academic record are eligible to apply.
Some scholarships offer full support, while others only cover a portion of the cost.
While some may accept undergraduate students, most of the scholarships I have listed are for Masters and PhD students.
Yes, students from all over the country are eligible to apply for central government scholarships.
Many scholarships have income requirements, usually targeting those from low-income backgrounds.
Each scholarship has a different application process, usually involving documents, academic transcripts, community-related information, proof of family income, and essays, etc.
Yes, but make sure the rules regarding overlapping benefits are followed.
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