Organization: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
Host country: India
Degree level: Undergraduate, Masters, Doctoral
Funding: Fully Funded
Deadline: April 30, 2026
Fields of study: Engineering, IT, Indian Languages, Liberal Arts, Management, Philosophy, Political Science, Science, Commerce, Agriculture, Arts (Excludes Medical, Paramedical, Fashion, Law, and 5-year Integrated Courses)
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) administers extensive scholarship programs on behalf of the Government of India. Under schemes like the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship and the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship, ICCR awards thousands of fully funded scholarships to international students from across the globe. This prestigious opportunity allows global talents to pursue Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees across top-tier Indian universities in various disciplines, excluding medical, paramedical, fashion, and law courses. The program covers airfare, tuition, and living stipends to facilitate a comprehensive cultural and academic exchange.
Benefits
100% Full coverage of tuition and other compulsory university fees paid directly to the institute
Monthly living allowance stipend to support daily expenses
Hostel fee or house rent allowance for university accommodation
Annual contingency allowance and specific thesis charges for research scholars
Return economy-class airfare (flight tickets) from the home country to India
Official sponsorship for the Indian Student Visa or Research Visa
Eligibility
Must be an international student applying from outside of India
Must be between 18 and 40 years of age for Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses as of July 1
Maximum age limit of 50 years for Ph.D. programs as of July 1
Must have completed 12 years of schooling (10+2 level) for Undergraduate admission
Must hold a relevant undergraduate degree for Master's programs, and a relevant Master's degree for Ph.D. programs
Must not be working in any part-time or full-time job alongside studies in India
Requirements
Submission of an online application comprising a 500-word essay in English on a specified topic to demonstrate language proficiency
Submission of a detailed research synopsis (specifically required for M.Phil, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral applicants)
Must procure a medical insurance policy with a minimum coverage of INR 500,000 per annum at the student's own cost before departure or upon arrival in India
For Engineering or Science courses, applicants must have mandatorily studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) or Biology at the Higher Secondary level
Required Documents
Completed online application form with an uploaded recent passport-size photograph (3.5x4.5cm, white background, without spectacles)
Certified copies of all academic qualifications, mark sheets, and school-leaving exam certificates
Certified English translations of any original academic documents that are in a local language
Certified copy of the syllabus of the last qualifying examination
Clear copy of a valid International Passport ensuring validity for the entire duration of the course
Official Birth Certificate or an official government-issued Unique Identity indicating a clear date of birth
Official Certificate of Physical Fitness in the prescribed ICCR format, filled by a registered medical practitioner
Formal Recommendation or Character Certificates from the existing school or university
Medium of Instruction Letter (if applicable)
Programs of Study
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Master's Degree Programs
Ph.D. (Doctoral) Programs
Postdoctoral Programs
Application Process
Visit the official ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal when the application window opens in February
Register on the portal to obtain a Login ID and Password
Select the preferred course level (UG, PG, PhD) and carefully review the list of participating Indian Universities
Apply to a minimum of 5 universities through the portal to maximize your assurance of getting accepted into at least one institution
Upload all required personal, academic, and medical documents precisely in their designated modules before the April deadline
Wait for the universities to verify the application, after which the Indian Mission will generate official Offer Letters for accepted scholars
How to Apply
Applicants must write their 500-word English essay thoughtfully, as it is a crucial component for assessing language proficiency since no formal English proficiency certificate is required
Ensure that all uploaded documents are originally in English or accompanied by certified English translations; applications with un-translated local language documents will be rejected
Original certificates and documents must be carried by the applicant when traveling to India, as universities will strictly verify these upon joining
Prepare your documents ahead of time and ensure you apply to 5 different universities to secure a 90% chance of acceptance
Selection Process
Initial scrutiny of applications is conducted directly by the respective Universities/Institutes to verify academic eligibility for the applied course
Once an academic admission offer is made, the respective Indian Mission/Post decides on the final allocation of the scholarship to the student
Selected students will be issued formal Offer Letters and must explicitly confirm their acceptance by the stated deadline (usually late June)
If initial acceptances are fewer than allocated seats, Indian Missions may offer scholarships to second-round waitlisted students in July