Scholarships to Study in India
Fully-funded opportunities, university grants, and government fellowships for international and domestic students in India.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Federally-funded scholarship for US undergraduate students receiving Federal Pell Grants to study or intern abroad. Prioritizes underrepresented students and non-traditional destinations. Over 4,000 scholarships awarded annually.
Boren Awards for International Study
Institute of International Education (IIE) & National Security Education Program
Awards for US students to study less-commonly taught languages in world regions critical to US interests (excludes Western Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). Focuses on Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Includes federal service commitment.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Fully-funded summer overseas program for intensive study of 15 critical languages (Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu, and more). Prepares American students for critical world languages needed in national security and diplomacy.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
European Commission
The European Union's flagship scholarship program for international students. Funds 2-year integrated Master's programs delivered by consortiums of 3+ European universities. Students study in multiple European countries and receive a joint degree. Over 5,000 scholarships awarded annually across 100+ programs.
Ashinaga Africa Initiative
Ashinaga Foundation (Japan)
Japanese foundation's scholarship for orphaned African high school graduates to pursue undergraduate studies at universities worldwide. Requires return to home country after graduation to contribute to development. Awards ~50 scholarships annually across sub-Saharan Africa. Founded by Yoshiomi Tamai in 2014.
INSPIRE Scholarship (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
Government of India's flagship scholarship for top 1% of Class 12 science students. Encourages talented students to pursue basic sciences (BSc + MSc integrated 5-year program) at Indian universities. Awards 10,000 scholarships annually. Alumni pipeline to Indian scientific research.
KVPY (Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana)
Department of Science and Technology + IISc Bangalore
IISc-managed prestigious scholarship encouraging students to take up research careers in basic sciences. Selects top science students at Class 11, Class 12, and 1st year BSc levels via national exam. Awards ~2,000 fellowships annually. Alumni include leading Indian scientists and IIS professors. NOTE: KVPY was discontinued in 2022; consolidated into INSPIRE.
National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
India's most prestigious school-level scholarship for Class 10 students. Two-stage national exam (State-level + National-level). Awards 2,000 scholarships annually with lifetime stipend from Class 11 through PhD (as long as academic performance is maintained). Highly competitive.
PM Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS)
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Government of India scholarship specifically for students from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to pursue undergraduate programs (Engineering, Medical, General degree) at institutions outside their home state. Awards 5,000 scholarships annually to promote national integration. Fully-funded 4-5 year program.
Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF)
Ministry of Education, Government of India
Government of India's premier PhD scholarship attracting top talent to Indian research institutions. Fully-funded 5-year PhD at IITs, IISc, IISERs, or NITs. Direct admission channel bypassing GATE. Awards 3,000 PMRFs since inception (2018). Highly competitive with strict academic requirements.
Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship
University Grants Commission (UGC), Government of India
UGC-funded scholarship exclusively for single girl children pursuing MPhil/PhD in social sciences and humanities. Aims to promote female higher education and combat gender-based discrimination in academia. Awards 3,000 fellowships annually. Requires proof of being the only girl child in family (no brothers).
National Overseas Scholarship (SC/ST)
Ministry of Social Justice + Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
Government of India scholarship exclusively for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates to pursue Master's/PhD abroad. Fully-funded at any recognized foreign university. Awards ~100 scholarships annually (SC) + ~20 (ST). Highly competitive with income and academic criteria.
Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students
University Grants Commission (UGC) + Ministry of Minority Affairs
UGC fellowship exclusively for students from minority communities (Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi) pursuing MPhil/PhD at Indian universities. Awards 1,000 fellowships annually. Structured like CSIR-UGC JRF/SRF with 5-year total funding. Discontinued in 2022 - now integrated with other schemes.
Indian Institute of Astrophysics Scholarships
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore
IIA Bangalore's premier PhD scholarship for astrophysics and astronomy research. India's oldest astronomical research institute (founded 1971). PhD placement at IIA with access to Kodaikanal, Hanle, Kavalur, Devasthal observatories. Prepares researchers for global astronomical missions.
Central Sector Scholarship Scheme for College Students
Ministry of Education, Government of India
Central government's largest merit-cum-means scholarship for economically weaker section students. Awards to top 20% of Class 12 passing students (per board) with family income under ₹4.5 lakh. Approximately 82,000 fresh scholarships annually across all Indian boards. Long-standing scheme with proven track record.
Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)
Aga Khan Foundation's scholarship for outstanding students from selected developing countries (Africa, Middle East, Central & South Asia). Awards 100+ scholarships annually for Master's/PhD at any university worldwide. Unique 50% grant + 50% interest-free loan structure. Focus on students committed to serving Muslim world.
Rotary Peace Fellowship
Rotary Foundation
Rotary Foundation's flagship program funding future peace and development leaders. Fully-funded Master's (2 years) at 6 partner universities OR Professional Development Certificate (3 months). Awards 130+ fellowships annually. Focus on conflict resolution, peace-building, and international relations.
Ford Foundation International Fellowships
Ford Foundation
Ford Foundation's flagship scholarship for individuals from developing countries who have historically lacked educational opportunities. Awards ~350 fellowships annually across 22 countries. Fully-funded Master's or PhD in social justice fields. Alumni becoming next generation of leaders in social equity.
Watson Fellowship
Thomas J. Watson Foundation
Unique post-baccalaureate fellowship funding 40 US undergraduates for one year of purposeful, independent exploration outside the US. No academic program - pure international immersion around a personal interest. Awards 40 fellowships annually from 41 partner colleges. 45+ years running, 3,000+ alumni.
Davis Projects for Peace
Kathryn Wasserman Davis (through Davis United World College Scholars)
Grant funding undergraduate students at 91 partner colleges to design and implement their own peace-related project during summer. $10,000 per project. Awards 130+ projects annually across all disciplines. Complete flexibility in project scope - past projects range from clean water in Kenya to art therapy in refugee camps.
Google Women Techmakers Scholarship (Anita Borg)
Google Women Techmakers
Google's global scholarship for women pursuing computer science careers. Named after Anita Borg (pioneer for women in computing). Awards $10,000 (US/Canada), €7,000 (EMEA), or regional equivalents. Includes exclusive retreat. Alumni pipeline to Google jobs. Highly competitive.
Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship
Adobe Research
Adobe Research's scholarship for outstanding women pursuing computer science/engineering degrees. Awards annually in US and India. Focus on empowering women in tech research. Pipeline to Adobe Research internships and full-time roles. Includes exclusive researcher mentorship.
Zonta Amelia Earhart Fellowship
Zonta International
Awarded annually to up to 30 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. Established in 1938 in honor of famed pilot and Zontian, Amelia Earhart.
Margaret McNamara Education Grants
Margaret McNamara Education Grants
A nonprofit public charity that awards educational grants to exceptional women from developing countries, who are at least 25 years old, and are enrolled at universities in the US, Canada, South Africa, and Latin America.
Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship
Palantir Technologies
Launched in 2010 to encourage women to pursue computer science. Open to undergraduate women globally. Evaluated on technical capability and leadership.
Generation Google Scholarship (APAC)
Designed to help women pursuing computer science degrees in the Asia-Pacific region excel in technology. Based on a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.