Studying abroad does not have to mean an education loan that follows you for a decade. Every year, thousands of Indian students win fully funded scholarships to the US, UK, Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, and across Europe, covering tuition, living costs, and often flights. There are also India-specific awards, run by Indian foundations and endowments, built exactly for students like you.
This guide covers the strongest scholarships open to Indian citizens for the 2026-2027 cycle: what each covers, roughly when it opens, and who it suits. Deadlines and amounts change every year, so use the timings here to plan and confirm the current details on each official page before applying.
New to this? Start with our master guide on how to find fully funded scholarships.
Before you apply: the habits that win
- Apply to several. Most winners applied to five or more, and applying widely sharpens your essays.
- Start early. Transcripts, references, and test scores take time to assemble.
- Nail the writing. More applications fail on weak essays than on weak grades. See our guides on the statement of purpose and the scholarship motivation letter.
- Sort your tests early. Some US programs still want the GRE, so read our GRE preparation guide if that applies to you. Many other countries need no GRE at all.
- Get strong references. See how to get a strong reference letter.
One standing warning: genuine scholarships never charge an application fee, and no agent can sell you a guaranteed seat. Apply only through official portals, and never pay anyone to “secure” an award.
1. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships (United States)
The Fulbright-Nehru program, administered in India by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), is the flagship route for Indian students to study in the US. The Master’s Fellowships fund postgraduate study for Indian citizens.
- Covers: tuition, a living stipend, airfare, and health coverage for a US master’s degree.
- Who it suits: graduates with a strong academic record, leadership, and a clear plan to contribute back in India.
- Timing: applications generally open in the first half of the year for study starting the following year.
- Where: apply through the official USIEF Fulbright-Nehru pages, and confirm the current cycle there.
2. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
India runs one of the largest Chevening cohorts in the world. Chevening is the UK government’s flagship fully funded master’s award for future leaders.
- Covers: full tuition for a one-year UK master’s, a monthly stipend, return airfare, and allowances.
- Who it suits: working professionals with an undergraduate degree and at least two years (around 2,800 hours) of work experience.
- Timing: opens in early August, closes in early October. For the 2027-2028 intake the deadline is around 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC. You apply to Chevening first, then secure a UK offer later.
- Where: see our Chevening Scholarship listing and apply on the official Chevening site.
3. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)
Funded by the UK government for Commonwealth countries, these scholarships fund master’s and PhD study at UK universities, along with distance-learning and shared-scholarship routes.
- Covers: tuition, airfare, and a living stipend for full master’s or doctoral study (varies by scheme).
- Timing: master’s and PhD applications generally run in the last months of the year for the following session.
- How to apply: most routes require nomination through the Indian nominating agency (the Ministry of Education) or through selected UK universities. Confirm the current route on the official Commonwealth Scholarship Commission page.
4. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
One of the best-known India-specific awards, the Inlaks Foundation supports outstanding young Indians for postgraduate study at top universities in the US, UK, and Europe.
- Covers: tuition, living costs, and one-way travel, up to a set ceiling, so it pairs well with a partial university award.
- Who it suits: high-achieving students with admission (or a strong shot at admission) to leading institutions.
- Timing: the application window typically runs early in the year. Confirm the current dates and eligibility on the official Inlaks Foundation page, as age and degree conditions apply.
5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (Europe)
Erasmus Mundus funds prestigious joint master’s programs where you study in two or more European countries under a single scholarship. Indian students are among its biggest beneficiaries.
- Covers: tuition, a monthly living allowance, travel, and installation costs.
- Timing: most programs close between around October and January for study starting the following autumn.
- Where: apply through the official Erasmus Mundus catalogue for the specific joint master’s in your field.
6. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Germany is a favourite for Indian students in engineering, computer science, and management, partly because public universities charge little or no tuition. DAAD adds funding on top.
- Covers: a monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel and study allowances, depending on the program.
- Timing: varies by program, with many master’s deadlines in the second half of the year.
- Read next: our DAAD scholarship complete guide, browse DAAD opportunities, and see our guide to studying in Germany.
7. Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
China funds one of the largest scholarship programs in the world, covering bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD study at more than 280 universities, with many English-taught programs.
- Covers: full tuition, accommodation or a subsidy, medical insurance, and a monthly stipend (roughly CNY 2,500 to 3,500 by level).
- Timing: the cycle runs from around December to April. Bachelor’s applicants now also sit the new CSCA test, so plan ahead.
- Read next: our full Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) 2027 guide.
8. Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
MEXT funds undergraduate, master’s, and PhD study in Japan for Indian students, through either the Japanese embassy or a university.
- Covers: full tuition, a monthly stipend, and airfare both ways.
- Timing: the embassy route usually opens in the first half of the year for enrollment the following year.
- Where: see our MEXT scholarship listing and our guide to studying in Japan.
9. Korean Government Scholarship (GKS)
The Global Korea Scholarship, still widely known as KGSP, funds undergraduate and graduate study in South Korea and includes a funded Korean language year.
- Covers: tuition, a monthly stipend, airfare, a settlement allowance, insurance, and language training.
- Timing: cycles usually open in the first half of the year through the Korean embassy or partner universities.
- Read next: our guide to studying in South Korea, and the KAIST scholarship listing.
10. GREAT Scholarships and Aga Khan Foundation
Two more to add to your list:
- GREAT Scholarships, run by the British Council with UK universities, offer substantial awards for Indian students and pair well with a Chevening application.
- The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship offers need-based assistance (part grant, part loan) for postgraduate study for outstanding students from developing countries. See the Aga Khan Foundation listing.
Loan scholarships: a different kind of India-specific help
Some of India’s best-known “scholarships” for study abroad are actually low-interest or interest-free loan scholarships from Indian foundations, including the JN Tata Endowment, the KC Mahindra Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies Abroad, and the Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation. These are not free money in the way a Chevening or Fulbright is. They are a financing tool with a cost, usually far gentler than a commercial education loan, and often with a partial gift element.
They can be a sensible bridge when a grant covers most, but not all, of your costs. Treat any loan as a commitment to repay, read the terms carefully, and only borrow what you genuinely need. Confirm every current condition on the foundation’s official page.
How to build your shortlist
You do not have to choose just one. A typical Indian applicant might, across a single year, target Fulbright-Nehru and Inlaks for the US, Chevening and Commonwealth for the UK, DAAD and Erasmus Mundus for Europe, and the CSC or MEXT for Asia. Their deadlines fall in different months, so a good calendar lets you apply to all of them without clashes.
If your GPA is not perfect, do not rule yourself out. Many of these weigh your full profile, your goals, and your leadership, not just your marks. Our guide on winning a scholarship with a low GPA shows how to frame a mixed transcript.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarships for Indian students do not require the GRE? Chevening, Commonwealth, DAAD, Erasmus Mundus, the CSC, MEXT, and GKS generally do not require the GRE. It is mainly some US graduate programs that still ask for it, and even there many have gone test-optional. Read our GRE preparation guide only if a target program specifically requires it.
Can I apply without IELTS? Yes for several options. The CSC (for many programs), MEXT, and others often accept a medium-of-instruction certificate since your degree was taught in English. See our guide to studying abroad without IELTS.
Are these scholarships fully funded? Fulbright-Nehru, Chevening, MEXT, GKS, and most Type A CSC awards are fully funded. Inlaks, DAAD, and Commonwealth vary by scheme, and the Indian foundation loan scholarships are financing, not grants. Always check what a specific award includes.
When should I start? Six to nine months before your target deadlines. Fulbright-Nehru, CSC, MEXT, and GKS mostly run in the first half of the year, while Chevening, Commonwealth, and Erasmus Mundus run in the second half. Map them all early.
Do I need work experience? Only for Chevening (at least two years). Fulbright-Nehru, Inlaks, DAAD, CSC, MEXT, GKS, and Erasmus Mundus are open to recent graduates.
Pick three or four awards, put their deadlines on a calendar, and start writing now. When you are ready to see everything currently open, browse our full list of fully funded scholarships.
