Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Indian Students in 2026

Want to Study in South Korea for Free? then you should know about GKS Scholarship for Indian students. Under this scholarship, meritorious students get financial aid to cover the expenses of air ticket, tuition fees, monthly expenses, and health insurance during their higher studies.

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program was launched in 2010 by the Education Ministry of Korea. It offers a golden opportunity for international students. Even if you are an Indian student, you can apply for it.

The main objective of the GKS Scholarship 2027 is to invite talented students to study in South Korea. It is a country known for its top ranked education systems and reputed universities. So, next time, if you think about why to choose South Korea? Answer is high quality academic environment with a fully funded scholarship for international students.

To be eligible for this fully-funded scholarship, Indian students must meet specific criteria. You need good academic records and must be within the set age limit. Furthermore, you must enroll in one of the universities listed with the GKS program. This article aims to help Indian students understand how to apply for the GKS Scholarship. Don't miss this chance to study abroad!

What is GKS Scholarship?

GKS Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. This scholarship was started to offer financial help to meritorious students. The aim was to attract talented students to study at higher educational institutions in Korea. It also enhances international education exchange and strengthens ties between Korea and the participating countries, including India.

For many Indian students, choosing this path is part of a larger Japan vs Korea academic debate. Japan offers MEXT scholarship. GKS in Korea remains a top choice for those seeking a future in Korea’s tech and cultural hubs. The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) manages the program directly.

Students enrolled in undergraduate or post-graduate, or doctoral degree courses offered by Korean universities are eligible to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship. Under this scholarship, there is a fixed number of scholarship quotas allocated for each country. For India, the reserved quota in the GKS Scholarship 2027 is 78, which includes 50 University Track and 28 Embassy Track.

GKS Scholarship 2027 Important Dates

Missing a deadline means waiting for another full year. The application timeline for GKS is strict. Below is the tentative schedule for the 2027 academic year (Graduate Cycle), which usually begins in February.

Note: Dates are subject to change. Always check official notice on the "Study in Korea" website.

Duration of GKS Scholarship for Indian Students

Benefits of GKS Scholarship for Indian Students

As a benefit of the GKS Scholarship 2027, students will get economy class airfare, a per-month allowance, Korean proficiency grants, etc. In short, if you are exploring a fully funded scholarship to study abroad, then the Global Korea Scholarship program is for you.

Below, we have mentioned the benefits of the Global Korea Scholarship program in detail:

• Economy class round-trip flight ticket (actual expense)
• Tuition Fee up to 5 Million KRW (INR 3.05 Lakhs)
• Monthly Allowance
• Research Allowance
• Korean Proficiency Grants-
• TOPIK Application Fee
• Degree Completion Grants
• Medical Insurance
• Publication Printing Fee
• Academic Incentives up to 630,000 KRW per month (INR 38,493).

There are some other benefits that you can check in the image below.

GKS Scholarship Eligibility for Indian Students

Global Korea Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded scholarship for Indian students. To study in South Korea. To be eligible, you must meet the following core requirements:

• Nationality: You and both of your parents must hold Indian citizenship. Dual citizens with South Korean nationality are strictly prohibited from applying.

• Academic Performance: You must have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 80% or higher on a 100-point scale or be ranked in the top 20% of your class.

• Age Limits:

  • Undergraduate: Must be under 25 years of age (born after March 1, 2001).

  • Graduate (Master's/PhD): Must be under 40 years of age (born after September 1, 1986).

• Health: You must be in good physical and mental health for the duration of the program.

• Educational Background:

  • For Master's programs, you must hold a Bachelor's degree.

  • For Doctoral programs, you must hold a Master's degree.

  • Applicants must have obtained their required degree by July, 2027.

Selection Process

The GKS Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. It means a strong academic record is essential for a competitive application. The selection committee carefully evaluates applications, and shortlisted candidates demonstrate exceptional academic merit. Here we have mentioned information that will help you to understand this well.

Top Universities Accepting GKS Scores 2027

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program opens doors to over 60 prestigious universities in South Korea. Applicants must strategically choose between Type A (General/National) and Type B (Regional) universities. Based on their track preference. Below is the complete categorization of participating universities to help you make an informed decision for your 2027 application.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) allows you to study at major South Korean universities. If you apply through the Embassy Track, you can choose up to three universities, but at least one must be from the Type B list.

University Categorization

Popular UIC Program Courses

The University Industry Cooperation (UIC) program offers customized field experience in natural science and engineering. Below are some subjects available for 2026:

Note: Indian students applying for the UIC program can apply regardless of the "invited countries" list as it is open to all countries.

This is all about the GKS scholarship for Indian students. As mentioned earlier, this scholarship is a perfect financial aid to all those students who either want to apply for a fully funded scholarship for their higher studies in abroad. This covers the expenses of travel, tuition fees, health insurance, and other essential things.

We have mentioned some common queries related to this scholarship below. If you still have a query in your mind, feel free to drop it in the comment section below or connect with Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors.