Scholarships and Grants for Indian Students 2026

Studying abroad is expensive, but it is not something Indian families have to fund entirely out of pocket. Between central government schemes, foreign government awards and university-funded aid, an Indian student can cover tuition, airfare and living costs in full. This guide lists the scholarships that are actually open in 2026, with figures taken from the awarding bodies themselves.

Which Indian Government Scholarships Fund Study Abroad in 2026?

National Overseas Scholarship

The National Overseas Scholarship is a central sector scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme guidelines applicable from 2026-27 confirm 125 fresh awards per selection year, split as 115 slots for Scheduled Castes, 6 for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes and 4 for Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans. Thirty percent of the scholarships in each selection year are earmarked for female candidates, and no single state may take more than ten percent of the total slots.

An important correction to older articles: this is not a minority scholarship. Applicants from minority communities are not eligible under this scheme, and the separate Maulana Azad fellowship for minorities was discontinued.

Eligibility under the 2026-27 guidelines is as follows:

• At least 60 percent marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying examination, which is a Bachelor's degree for Master's applicants and a Master's degree for PhD applicants.
• Not more than 35 years of age as on the first day of April of the selection year.
• Gross annual family income from all sources not exceeding Rs 8.00 lakh in the last completed financial year, certified by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar.
• An unconditional offer of admission from a foreign institution, with first-round priority given to universities in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2026.
• Marksheets for every semester must be submitted or the application is rejected outright.

Financial assistance is paid annually for up to four years for a PhD and up to three years for a Master's degree, or the sanctioned course duration, whichever is earlier.

Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust Scholarship

This trust scholarship is open only to Indian women graduates of reputed universities who want to study abroad. The 2026-2027 announcement confirms a gift scholarship of approximately Rs 3 lakh to Rs 6 lakh towards part of the tuition fee, and it is a grant, not a loan.

The trust is strict about subject matter. The focus of study must relate to women and children, across fields such as child health and nutrition, counselling, special needs education, speech and language pathology, gender studies, health policy, human rights, psychology, public health, social work and public and social policy. Applications outside these areas are rejected at the first stage.

• Applicant must be an Indian woman graduate with a consistent and remarkable academic record.
• All results must be in hand at the time of applying; candidates awaiting results are not eligible.
• Applicant must have applied for, or preferably secured, admission at a reputed institution in the United States, the UK or Europe.
• At least two years of relevant paid work experience is desired.
• Shortlisted candidates attend an in-person or online interview with the Board of Trustees in late June or early July.

What Scholarships Can Indian Students Get in the United Kingdom?

Commonwealth Master's Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission funds around 800 awards for postgraduate study and professional development each year. The Master's scheme supports one-year taught master's programmes only, and Indian applicants are nominated through the Ministry of Education, which is India's national nominating agency.

• Applicants must be a citizen of, or have been granted refugee status by, an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
• Applicants must hold a first degree of at least upper second-class honours standard, or a lower second-class degree plus a relevant postgraduate qualification.
• There is no age limit for Commonwealth Scholarship Commission applications, which corrects the widely repeated claim of an under-40 cut-off.
• The award covers approved tuition fees in full, approved return airfare, and a monthly stipend of GBP 1,712, or GBP 2,000 at universities in the London metropolitan area.
• A child allowance of GBP 622 per month for the first child and GBP 154 per month for the second and third child under 16 is available to eligible scholars.

For the cohort starting in September or October 2027, applications open on Tuesday 8 September and close at 16:00 BST on Tuesday 20 October.

Chevening Scholarships

Chevening is the UK government's international awards programme, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It funds a one-year master's degree at any UK university, in any subject, and India is one of its largest sending countries.

The single most misreported Chevening rule is work experience. It is mandatory, not preferred. Applicants must have at least two years of work experience acquired after completing their undergraduate degree, equivalent to 2,800 hours.

• Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country or territory and commit to returning home for at least two years after the scholarship ends.
• Hold an undergraduate degree that qualifies for a UK master's programme, completed at least two years before the application deadline.
• Apply to three different eligible UK courses and hold an unconditional offer from at least one by the stated deadline.
• There is no upper age limit.
• The award covers tuition fees, economy travel to and from your country of residence, arrival and departure allowances, the visa application cost, up to GBP 75 towards TB testing where required, and a monthly living stipend that differs inside and outside London.

For the 2027-28 intake, applications opened on 4 August 2026 and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. Results follow interviews held between March and April 2027, and the deadline to submit an unconditional UK university offer is 8 July 2027.

How Do Indian Students Fund a Master's Degree in the United States?

Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships

These fellowships are administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation and support up to two years of master's study at a US institution. Older articles claim applicants need a bachelor's degree from the United States, which is incorrect.

• Applicants must have completed the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university with at least 55 percent marks.
• At least three years of full-time paid professional work experience relevant to the proposed field of study is required.
• The award provides J-1 visa support, round-trip economy air travel from the fellow's home city, tuition and fees, living and related costs, and accident and sickness coverage.
• Eligible fields are Economics, Environmental Science or Studies, Higher Education Administration, International Legal Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, Public Health, Sustainable Development or Sustainability, and Urban and Regional Planning.

Doctoral candidates have a separate route. The Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships fund six to nine months of research in the United States for scholars registered for a PhD at an Indian institution, and the 2027-2028 cycle closes on 1 July 2026. Priority areas include critical minerals and supply chains, defence and security, energy security, science and research collaboration, space cooperation, and technology and innovation.

Cornell University Tata Scholarship

The Tata Education and Development Trust funded a USD 25 million endowment that provides financial aid to Cornell undergraduate students from India. The Tata Scholarship Fund supports approximately 20 scholars at any point in time, and awards run for the duration of the recipient's undergraduate studies.

• The student must have attended secondary school in India.
• The student must be offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate.
• The student must be eligible for need-based financial aid.
• There is no separate scholarship form. Applicants are considered automatically if they complete the admission application and apply for financial aid by submitting the CSS Profile.

Which Canadian Scholarship Is Open to Indian Undergraduates?

Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award

UBC has named more than 560 International Scholars since 2001. The award recognises students who show superior academic achievement and exemplary leadership, and who have made a positive impact through service projects and other pursuits. It applies to a first undergraduate degree, so any description of it as a postgraduate award is wrong.

• Applicant must be an international student who requires a Canadian study permit to study in Canada.
• Applicant must be entering directly from an accredited secondary school.
• Applicant must demonstrate significant financial need alongside superior academic achievement.
• Applicant must meet UBC's English language admission requirements.
• The application deadline is 15 November, with results released on a rolling basis from February to April.

UBC also runs three sibling awards under the same International Scholars umbrella: the Donald A. Wehrung International Student Award for students from impoverished or war-torn areas, the International Impact Award focused on sustainability and social justice with priority for first-generation learners, and the Vantage One Excellence Award for students who do not yet meet the English language admission standard.

What Funding Is Available in Europe and Other Destinations?

DAAD Scholarships for Germany

The German Academic Exchange Service funds international students through a searchable scholarship database. Current scholarship payments are EUR 992 a month for students and EUR 1,300 a month for doctoral and PhD students. Awards usually add a flat-rate travel allowance and, in many cases, health, accident and personal liability insurance. Depending on the programme there may also be a one-off research allowance, family benefits or funds for language courses. DAAD scholarships do not have to be paid back.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are integrated study programmes delivered by a consortium of universities across at least two countries. Programmes run for one to two academic years, worth 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits, and students from all over the world are welcome. Full scholarships for top-performing students cover participation costs and contribute towards travel, visa and a living allowance. Applications are typically submitted between October and January for courses starting the following academic year.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

This programme is frequently described as fully funded, which is inaccurate. Awards are structured as half grant and half loan, and the student repays fifty percent. Repayment of the loan component, which includes a service charge, begins six months after graduation or termination of the programme.

• Priority goes to Master's programmes; PhD study is considered but funded only for the first two years.
• India is one of fifteen eligible countries, alongside Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Kenya, the Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Uganda.
• Preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
• The award covers tuition and student living expenses, but excludes international travel, clothing, furniture and family members' expenses.
• The 2026-2027 cycle is closed and the next cycle opens in early 2027.

When Should You Apply for These Scholarships?

How Should You Plan Your Scholarship Applications?

1. Fix your intake year, then list every award for your destination and level with its exact closing date.
2. Check the hard eligibility gates first: income ceiling, minimum marks, age, and required work experience in hours or years.
3. Start university applications early where the scholarship requires an unconditional offer, as Chevening and Commonwealth both do.
4. Collect documents that take time to obtain, such as an income certificate from a Tehsildar, caste certificates, all semester marksheets and CGPA conversion formulas.
5. Apply to multiple scholarships in the same cycle, since no scheme here bars parallel applications, but declare any other funding you receive.
6. Read the repayment terms before accepting an award, because some programmes such as the Aga Khan Foundation scheme are half loan.

A scholarship application is judged on evidence, not enthusiasm. Concrete outcomes from your work, a clear plan for what you will do after the degree, and a course choice that matches your record will do more than a well-written essay with nothing behind it.