India is known to be the home country of many international students worldwide. But even with the loss of its local students, the government makes up for it in its foreign enrollees.

While India is not as prominent as many international educational institutions, it has proven itself a mighty force. To date, there are about 50,000 foreigners enrolled in India. The numbers are expected to increase, given the many benefits of Indian education.

For one, it’s home to the second-largest educational system. Here, learners can choose to study in any of its 8,000 universities and 39,000 colleges. Additionally, most of its institutions use English as the primary medium of instruction.

Tuition and the cost of living in India are very affordable too. Although study costs average less than $3,000 annually, enrollees may have the opportunity to study cheaply, if not free. All they need to do is apply to any of these scholarship programs in India:

Best Scholarships in India

1. Study in India Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 25% to 100% of the tuition amount each year (max $3,500) for 2-5 years
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

The Study in India scholarship program is the best scholarship in India for international students. It is a joint project by the Ministries of Education and Commerce & Industry. Yearly, it offers 2,250 deserving students a chance to study in India at a discounted amount, if not for free.

Applicants are deemed eligible after applying and undertaking the PRAGATII exam. The latter is administered in multiple destinations across the globe.

Awardees are chosen according to their PRAGATII exam and counseling results.

Apart from shouldering the cost of tuition, the Study in India scholarship will also cover the awardee’s admission fees, food costs, and accommodations.

The scholarship is subject to renewal every year. Awardees must have at least an 80% attendance in the year before re-qualifying for the coming term.

Awardees may change their majors as needed, although this should be done within their present institution.

2. ICCR General Scholarship Program

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition for the entire duration of the program
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree

Funded by the Indian Council for Culture Relations, the General Scholarship Scheme program is open to students from 55 countries. All applications should be coursed through the ICCR scholarship portal.

Students may apply and choose from 5 public institutions if selected by this India scholarship program.

Potential undergraduate students will need to have completed 12 years of primary studies to qualify. Likewise, they should have completed Physics, Chemistry, and Math courses to be admitted to science or engineering courses.

As for Ph.D. applicants, a study synopsis should be included in the application packet.

Apart from a 100% tuition subsidy, ICCR scholars are given living stipends, house rent allowances, contingent grants, medical benefits, and thesis expenses.

3. IGIDR-IDRC Scholarships and Fellowships: Asian Regional Initiative

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: Full tuition amount
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s Degree at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research

The IGIDR Scholarship and Fellowship is open to citizens of 13 Asian countries. Applications can be made through the university website.

The number of slots varies according to the program. Likewise, only select Master’s degrees provide fully-funded scholarships.

IGIDR offers five awards in the field of M.Sc. Economics. On the other hand, there are three scholarships open for M.Phil. students.

Both of these scholarships cover the total tuition amount. They also include monthly scholarships, medical coverage, and a travel grant, with the amounts varying according to the degree.

Awardees of this scholarship in India are selected according to their academic records and published papers. Weight is also given to their statements of purpose and reference letters.

Shortlisted applicants will be asked to undergo an interview via Skype.

4. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) International Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 50% to 100% of the tuition amount
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree at KIIT

Located in Odisha, KIIT is an up-and-coming university that offers scholarships to international students. For every country, there are ten slots available for a partial scholarship. Additionally, there are two slots reserved for a full scholarship.

Eligibility requirements vary according to the program. For a B.Tech. Degree, for example, the applicant must have garnered 60% marks in Physics, Math, and Chemistry. For other courses, required marks are lower (45% to 50%).

The exact requirements apply to post-graduate applicants. For an Engineering Master’s, for example, the applicant must have a first-class bachelor’s degree.

Expectedly, higher requirements are expected of Ph.D. applicants. The required marks are 55% to 60%, depending on the specialization.

5. Symbiosis International Scholarships

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 25% to 100% of the tuition amount
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s and Master‘s degree at Symbiosis International (Deemed University)

SIU, with the support of chancellor Dr. Mujumdar, offers scholarships to international students. Named the Symbiosis International Scholarship, it is given in coordination with ministries and embassies of other countries.

This India scholarship is open to students from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. To apply, students must meet the following eligibility rules:

  • 60% (undergraduate) or 75% qualifying grade (undergraduate)
  • At least a band 6 in IELTS and a score of 4 in the IELA

Likewise, they should be able to meet the requirements of their preferred program.

Every year, the school awards two undergraduate students with a 25% discount. Another one is given a 50% discount, and there’s one more with a 100% discount.

A 50% tuition is discount is given to one graduate student as well.

Unlike the Study in India scholarship, the Symbiosis scholarship does not cover the cost of application, travel, food, or housing.

6. SAARC/NON-SAARC Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 25% to 50% tuition discount
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at Chandigarh University

Located in Punjab, Chandigarh University offers international academic scholarships for its undergraduate and post-graduate degrees.

This scholarship in India covers 25% to 50% of the total tuition amount. It does not cover other fees for examinations or accommodations.

The scholarship is granted according to the student’s nationality and grade. For example, students from Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka need a minimum mark of 55% to get a 25% discount. A grade of 70% and above, on the other hand, is required to get a 50% tuition discount.

What’s great about this scholarship is that it does not require a separate application. The committee will choose awardees according to the transcripts and documents they have sent in.

7. SRM Institute of Science & Technology International Scholarship

  • Scholarship Link
  • Scholarship Amount: 25% to 40% tuition discount
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at SRM Institute of Science & Technology

SRM offers various scholarships to students from select countries in Africa and Asia. It is open to most Bachelor’s and Master’s programs, except for Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Medicine.

Grade requirements vary according to stream. For example, IB holders need a Grade 6 mark to get a higher discount for Science and Commerce streams. A grade 5 score, on the other hand, will qualify for a lower value.

Tuition subsidies vary according to this scholarship in India. The Economic Award, for example, covers 40% of the tuition amount. On the other hand, the Merit Scholarship shoulders 25% to 35% of the tuition costs.

The scholarship is subject to renewal every year. Students are expected to follow the scholarship regulations as stipulated.

 

We hope that this article on the best scholarships in India for international students was helpful. To know more information like this, check out the Available Programs for International Students!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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