Best Government Funded Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025
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Studying abroad could be a challenging goal, especially for students from middle or lower income families. The financial burden often makes this dream seem out of reach for them.
This blog will navigate you through various central and state funded study abroad scholarships for Indian students, eligibility requirements, grant amounts and more details.
Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students: List of Central and State Funded Abroad Scholarships
To support Indian students to fulfill their aspirations of studying overseas, the Government of India offers various study abroad scholarships for Indian students. The scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government are of 2 types namely:
- Central Government Scholarships
- State Government Scholarships
Also Explore: Insights About The Scholarships For Abroad Study
5 Best Central Government Scholarship Programs for Indian Students
The top central government scholarship programs for Indian students to study abroad include the following:
| Scholarship/Fellowship | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) | Tuition fees, living expenses, and other approved costs (up to USD 15,400 annually for the U.S., GBP 9,900 annually for the UK, or equivalent in other countries). |
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Tuition fees, living expenses, J-1 visa support, and round-trip airfare (amount varies based on the U.S. institution). |
| Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy | Interest subsidy on education loans during the moratorium period (loan amount up to INR 20 lakhs for Master’s/Ph.D. programs). |
| Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship | Monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, J-1 visa support, and research allowance (amount depends on U.S. institution and duration). |
| Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship | GBP 29,944 per annum, covering stipend, travel allowance, and college fees at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford. |
1. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme for SC and Other Categories
This central government scheme supports low income students from Scheduled Caste, Denotified Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans to pursue higher education abroad, including Masters and PhD programs.
The aim of this scholarship is to help improve their economic and social status through quality, international education.
2. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
Designed for individuals who have completed a US bachelors degree or equivalent, this Fellowship supports candidates with at least 3 years of professional work experience. Recipients are also committed to returning to India and contributing to their communities.
The fellowship provides funding for up to 2 years to pursue a master's degree in fields like economics, environmental science, higher education administration, international affairs, journalism, public health, urban planning and women studies among others.
3. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy
This scheme provides an interest subsidy during the moratorium period of education loans for overseas studies. It is targeted at students from Other Backward Class (OBC) and Economically Backward Classes (EBC) who are pursuing Masters and M.Phil or Ph.D programs abroad.
Also Explore: 10 Best PhD Scholarships for Indian Students Abroad
4. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
This fellowship or study abroad scholarships for Indian students, supports Indian Ph.D. scholars conducting paid pre doctoral research in the United States in the field of climate change. It involves affiliation with a US host institution for a duration of 6 to 9 months
5. Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
This fully funded scholarship by the Indian government provides opportunity to the selected candidate at St. Anthony College, University of Oxford, London. The candidate’s status is equivalent to a Junior Research Fellow with the fellowship lasting 1 year and extendable for another year, based on performance
5 Best State Government Scholarship Programs for Indian Students
In addition to the Central government, many state governments in India offer financial assistance to students aspiring to pursue abroad studies. The top state government scholarship programs for Indian students to study abroad include the following:
| Scholarship Scheme | Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| Chief Minister’s Overseas Scheme for Minorities | Up to ₹20 lakhs or as per admission letter (whichever is less), plus one-way airfare and visa charges. |
| Maharashtra’s Foreign Scholarship Program | Varies based on department and program; generally covers tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. |
| Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department Scheme | Up to ₹36 lakhs per annum, depending on the country and course. |
| Kerala Backward Classes Development Scholarship | Up to ₹10 lakhs. |
| Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence | Covers full expenses, including tuition fees, airfare, and living costs for 200 students at 50 top global universities. |
1. Chief Minister’s Overseas Scheme for Minorities (Telangana)
The CM Overseas scheme for minorities offered by Telangana Govt. provides financial support to students from minority communities with their family income of less than ₹5 lakhs per annum. The scholarship covers up to 20 lakhs, or the amount mentioned in the admission letter, whichever is lower, along with a one way economy airfare and visa charges
2. Maharashtra’s Foreign Scholarship Program
Maharashtra state government offers a comprehensive set of scholarship schemes for students from various backgrounds, including those supported by Tribal Development Department, Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Higher and Technical Education Department, Planning Department, Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Minority Development Department, and Forest Department
3. Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Department Scheme
This scholarship supports Adi Dravidar, Scheduled Tribes, and Christian Adi Dravidar students pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies abroad. Up to 10 students are selected annually, and the grant can go up to ₹36 lakhs per annum, depending on the country and the course of study.
4. Kerala Backward Classes Development Scholarship
This study abroad scholarship for Indian students scheme offers financial aid to students from backward classes aiming to pursue studies in medical, engineering, pure science, agriculture, management, law or social science courses at select foreign universities. The maximum scholarship amount granted is up to ₹10 lakhs.
5. Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Under this study abroad scheme 200 merit students from Rajasthan are supported to study abroad at prestigious institutions like Oxford, Harvard, and Stanford.
This is one of the best scholarships for studying abroad by Indian government after 12th, that covers the entire course, including airfare, tuition fees, and living expenses for undergraduate, post graduate, PhD and post doctoral programs
Want to know How To Get Scholarship To Study Abroad After 12th. Explore the article for details
Secure You Study Abroad Scholarship with GetGIS Assistance
The scholarships offered by the Government of India play a crucial role in supporting students who aspire to pursue higher education abroad. While the schemes mentioned above highlight some prominent options, there are many other scholarship opportunities provided by different state governments. Students are encouraged to explore the official website of their respective state governments for additional details and updates on such schemes.
For comprehensive guidance on study abroad options, including personalised assistance with scholarships, student visa processes, university applications and more, consider reaching out to GetGIS. Our team of expert advisors can help turn your dream of studying abroad into a reality with tailored solutions and end to end support.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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