Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad 2026

Indian students form some of the largest communities of international students abroad every year. This move is derived from good quality of education, lifestyle and higher earning potential. Adding to this, they can also avail Indian government scholarships for studying abroad to reduce their financial burden.

To cater to the rising difficulty of managing funds for studying abroad among Indian students, the Indian government has launched several scholarship schemes so that most of the expenses of studying abroad can be taken care of and meritorious students get to study at reputable universities without the restriction of having a low bank balance. The only requirement that students need to fulfil is to maintain good academic records. 

The Indian government, in close ties with foreign governments and top universities abroad provide several fellowships and scholarships which have the potential to cover the whole tuition costs, living costs and other additional costs for students abroad. The Indian government scholarships are offered to deserving Indian students who wish to pursue PG courses at prestigious universities worldwide despite the high costs that they may encounter while studying abroad. This blog dives deep into the world of top Indian government scholarships to study abroad, equipping you with the knowledge and resources to navigate your path towards a globally enriching education. 

You may also want to read about the Fully funded Scholarships to Study Abroad.  

Top Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad 2026 and 2027

The Indian government, through various ministries and departments, administers a bouquet of scholarships specifically designed to support postgraduate studies abroad. Below is the list of the top popular scholarships offered by the Indian government for studying abroad. 

1. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2026-27

This prestigious scholarship, offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is a beacon of hope for students belonging to SC/ST, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Landless Agricultural Labourers (ALALs), and Traditional Artisans (TAs). It provides financial assistance for pursuing Master's or PhD programs at foreign universities. To be eligible for the National Overseas Scholarships, applicants must score at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade in their qualifying examinations. And they must not be more than 35 years old as of the first day of April of the selection year. Check more details in the video below 👇

Applications: The applications for 2026 are closed now. Students need to fill out the online application form by visiting the website  www.nosmsje.gov.in.  

Seat Distribution: The distribution of the total number of  National Overseas Scholarships among different marginalised communities is given below. 

Eligibility Criteria: Students must fulfil the following scholarship requirements in order to be considered for the scholarship.

• Secure 60% or above marks in the qualifying examinations.
• For any university, mark sheets for all semesters should be provided. However, if the university provides only a CGPA and not numerical marks then, a university-acknowledged conversion formula must also be provided along with submitting the CGPA. Failing to abide by any of these two conditions will result in the cancellation of the candidature of the student for the scholarship in the concerned year.
• The candidate should not be more than 35 years of age as of the first day of April in the year of application. 
• The total family income of the scholarship candidate (from all sources) must not exceed 8 lakhs per annum. 

Coverage: The scheme covers:

• tuition,
• visa,
• health insurance fees as charged by the respective organisations
• an annual maintenance allowance of USD 15,400 for the USA and other countries except the UK and GBP 9900 for the UK
• contingency allowance
• equipment allowance
• airfare in economy class from recognised and authorised agents only
• local travel

Meanwhile, you must also read Scholarship Interview Questions-answers to Study Abroad

2. Fulbright-Nehru Master's and Doctoral Research Fellowships 2027-28

Indeed, one of the best and most expansive scholarships offered by the Indian government, this collaborative program between the US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) and the Government of India fosters academic exchange between the two nations. It offers scholarships for outstanding Indian students to pursue Master's and PhD degrees in a wide range of fields at accredited American universities. 

These scholarships are awarded for a maximum of two years to pursue courses like public health, women and gender studies, environmental sciences, etc. at US universities. 

Applications: To apply for a Fulbright-Nehru Scholarship, candidates must fill out an online application form by visiting the website https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2027. The applications to apply for the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships for the year 2027-28 are closed now. 

Eligibility Criteria: To avail of a Fulbright-Nehru scholarship, students must fulfil the following scholarship requirements: 

• Students must have completed an equivalent of the USA’s bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 55% of marks.  
• a minimum of 3 years of work experience, 
• Students must not have any other degree from a university in the USA
• and are committed to returning to their home country after the successful completion of their higher education abroad. 

Coverage: The scholarship covers the following for the assistance of students:

• Round-trip air travel fare for economy class from the student’s host city to the city of the institution in the destination country. 
• Complete tuition fees and living costs; however, the scholarship does not provide financial aid for students.  
• Accident and illness coverage 

There are many more Fulbright-Nehru Scholarships for Indian students; some of them are listed below.

1. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships,
2. Fulbright-Nehru Academic and Professional Excellence Fellowships,
3. Fulbright-Nehru Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, and more.

Interested students can visit the website www.usief.org.in/Fellowships/Fulbright-Nehru-Fellowships.aspx to get complete details on all these scholarships. 

For complete details, check the Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowship.

3. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Doctoral Research 2027-28

Administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) on behalf of both the US and the Indian governments, the Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships are offered to Indian students to conduct research in a US-based institution in the fields of earth, atmosphere and environmental sciences. 

These fellowships are provided only for a period of 6-9 months and are available for a pre-doctoral research level only; this means that students in the last phase of their PhD or already having a PhD will not be considered for selection. The selected students will be affiliated with a host institution in the USA; however, a prior choice of a preferred institution will also be required from the student.

Applications: Interested students can check the https://apply.iie.org/ffsp2027 portal for details. However, the registration is closed now.

Eligibility Criteria: Candidates must fulfil the following requirements to avail of the Fulbright-Kalam Fellowship.

• Applicants must be registered for a PhD at a recognised Indian institution. 
• Applicants must have conducted sufficient research in the required fields of the fellowship. 
• Applicants must not be in the end phase of their PhD; the estimated final thesis submission date of the PhD student must be at least 3 months after the end date of the Fulbright-Kalam Fellowship grant. 

Coverage: the fellowship covers the following benefits:

• J1 visa support 
• Monthly stipend; please note that the grant is not sufficient to support family members
• Round-trip economy class air travel fare between India and the USA
• Professional allowance and a modest settling-in allowance 
• Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges per U.S. Government guidelines

There are several Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships as listed below.

1. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Doctoral Research
2. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Postdoctoral Research
3. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowships for Academic and Professional Excellence

Below are some useful links for students seeking to get a scholarship to study abroad. 

4. Raman Charpak Fellowships

These fellowships are co-funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the French Institute in India (IFI), Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Government of France. 

The Raman Charpak Fellowship is a flagship bilateral program aimed at facilitating scientific cooperation between India and France. It is jointly funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and the French Institute in India (IFI), Embassy of France. For the 2026 cycle, this fellowship is specifically designed for PhD students registered in an Indian university to carry out part of their research work (3 to 6 months) at a French university or research institute.

Coverage: The fellowship is highly comprehensive, covering almost all costs associated with the short-term research stay. It covers:

• Stipend: A monthly allowance of €1,500 (approx. ₹1.35 Lakhs) for living expenses.
• Travel: One return economy class air ticket between India and France.
• Insurance: Comprehensive health, social security, and liability insurance.
• Visa: Assistance with the French visa process and waiver of visa fees.
• Local Support: Administrative support for finding accommodation in France.

Eligibility: To apply for the 2026 fellowship, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Academic Status: Applicants must be registered for a PhD in a recognised Indian university or research institution.
• Age Limit: Maximum 30 years as of April 1st of the application year.
• Subject Areas: Limited to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and some Social Sciences (Economics/Sociology related to health/environment).
• Language: Proficiency in English is required; French language skills are an added advantage but not mandatory.

You may also check the different Types of scholarships available for Study Abroad aspirants

5. Maharashtra's Foreign Scholarship Program - Scholarships for Higher Education Abroad to Meritorious Boys and Girls Belonging to Economically Weaker Sections of Open Category

Funded by the Government of Maharashtra, this program offers comprehensive financial support for postgraduate and doctoral studies abroad to eligible students from economically weaker sections of the open category. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, return airfare, and insurance, requiring candidates to have secured admission to a top-200 ranked university and possess a Maharashtra domicile.

Eligibility: Maharashtra's Foreign Scholarship Program is open to EWS Open Category residents of the state under 35 (Masters) or 40 (PhD), requiring at least 55% in an Indian degree and a confirmed, unconditional seat in a top-200 QS World University Ranking institution.

Coverage: The scholarship covers 100% tuition, travel, and a fixed maintenance allowance for up to 40 students, with applications for the current cycle closing on July 27, 2026, on the official portal.

Good News for Odisha Students - MASSIVE Scholarships Launched!

There is a good news for Odisha students as the government of Odisha has launched MASSIVE Scholarships for them to do PhD abroad. Check below 👇

Why Should You Apply for Scholarships for Studying Abroad?

Getting a scholarship to study abroad is no harm. There is no bias from the universities between students for this reason. Below are the top reasons why you must consider applying for a scholarship to study abroad. 

1. Most scholarships cover your tuition and living expenses, or some provide a stipend towards living costs. This makes studying abroad relatively more affordable for students than when they have no scholarship.
2. Students with scholarships need not worry about getting part-time jobs to support their expenditures abroad. Instead, they can focus completely on their studies and build a bright future. 
3. Scholarship students are recognised by employers worldwide and they even get access to the scholarship's alumni portal, where they can make valuable contacts.   

How to Maximise Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship?

Here is what you can do to maximise your chances of getting a scholarship to study abroad:

• Demonstrate Your Academic Competitiveness: Maintain exceptional academic records throughout your undergraduate studies. Strong grades are a key factor in most scholarship selections.
• Ace Standardised Tests:  If required by the scholarship program, strive for high scores on tests like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS. These scores can significantly strengthen your application.
• Craft a Compelling SOP: The statement of purpose (SOP).
• Apply Early: Most scholarships are released before the university's application deadline. For this reason, one must apply early, typically by April-June.

Also read:

• International Scholarships for Indian Students after 12th 
• Scholarships for Bachelor's Abroad

This was all about the Indian government scholarships for studying abroad 2026. We have covered the top 4 scholarships offered by the Indian government for studying abroad along with their application deadlines, the application process, eligibility criteria and total coverage. If you wish to study abroad, then you can get assistance from Shiksha Counselling Services for free. You can also drop your queries in the comments section below.