Indian government scholarships for studying abroad
Several schemes funded from India support overseas study, and they are systematically under-used — not because students are ineligible but because they find out after the deadline. They are invisible from any university's scholarship page.
At a glance
| Awards we list in this group | 5 |
|---|
What exists
- National Overseas Scholarship, for eligible categories, funding study abroad directly.
- State government schemes, which vary widely and are frequently under-subscribed.
- Ministry and department schemes tied to particular fields or communities.
Eligibility for these is usually defined by category, income and field rather than by marks alone, which means the competition is narrower than for open schemes.
The documentation is the work
- Category and income certificates take weeks and are issued by state authorities.
- Several schemes require an admission offer, which fixes the order.
- Deadlines are typically well before the intake and are not extended.
- Requirements are published on the scheme's own portal rather than anywhere aggregated.
Begin the certificates before you begin the applications. They are the long pole, and they are entirely outside your control once submitted.
Indian government schemes we list
5 awards, each with its own deadline, eligibility and the source we read it from.
Indian government schemes — FAQs
2 questions
An Indian government scheme funding overseas study for eligible categories. Eligibility is defined by category and income as well as academic record.
Several states run schemes, and they are often under-subscribed. Check your own state's higher education department directly.
Want help shortlisting? A counsellor matches your marks, course and budget to the awards you can actually win — free.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 1 October 2026.