Every year, thousands of ambitious Indian students dream of pursuing higher education abroad — in world-class institutions offering cutting-edge research, global exposure, and unique academic environments. Yet, the cost of tuition, living expenses, and international travel often becomes the primary barrier. That’s where scholarships by Indian government to study abroad come in — they turn what seems impossible into achievable.
At Span International, our mission is not just to guide you through visa processes, test prep, or university shortlists — but also to help you access funding opportunities that reduce the financial burden. In this article, we deeply explore the most relevant scholarships offered by the Indian government (and allied schemes), eligibility criteria, strategies to win, and how you can leverage them in your abroad-study plan.
Why Government Scholarships Matter in Your Study Abroad Plan
Financial certainty and risk reduction
Going abroad without funding is a big gamble. Scholarships by Indian government to study abroad can cover or offset major costs like tuition, travel, living stipend, and insurance. Having one or more such scholarships in hand gives you financial stability and peace of mind.
Credibility and prestige
Receiving a government-backed scholarship also adds weight to your profile. It signals merit, strong academic record, and reliability — factors that can influence admission decisions, university funding, or future academic applications.
Encourages socio-economic equity
Many of these scholarships are targeted toward underrepresented groups (SC/ST/OBC, minorities, economically weaker sections). They help level the playing field and ensure talented students aren’t left out for want of funds.
Strategy for counselling and conversions
As a study abroad consultant, offering insight into scholarships by Indian government to study abroad becomes a powerful differentiator. You can increase your conversion rate by helping students navigate funding routes.
Top Scholarships by Indian Government to Study Abroad (2025 and Beyond)
Below are some of the most prominent and beneficial scholarship / subsidy schemes that Indian students can explore. (Always verify current guidelines, as these may be updated.)
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
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What it is: A flagship scheme aimed primarily at SC, Denotified Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers, traditional artisans to pursue Master’s / PhD abroad.
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Eligibility:
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Indian citizenship, belonging to eligible categories (SC / DNT / traditional artisans etc.)
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Minimum marks (often ~60% or equivalent) in the qualifying degree.
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Age limit (commonly ≤ 35 years)
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Family income ceiling (for example ₹8,00,000 per annum)
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Admission (or conditional offer) to a recognized foreign university in a relevant program.
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What it covers:
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Tuition fees
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Annual maintenance allowance / living stipend
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One-time airfare
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Visa, contingency, health insurance, books, etc.
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Limitations & notes:
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It does not typically cover undergraduate study abroad.
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Limited number of seats / funding each year
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Delays in disbursement are occasionally reported
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ICCR Scholarships (Indian Council for Cultural Relations)
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What it is: While not always directly labelled as “government scholarships to study abroad”, ICCR supports cultural and educational exchange by offering scholarships to foreign students and occasionally supports Indian students going abroad (especially for certain programs).
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Eligibility & features:
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Indian students who have secured seats abroad in partner or recognized institutions
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Useful especially for undergraduate and postgraduate levels
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What it covers:
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Tuition, maintenance allowance, and travel allowance depending on scheme
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Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
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What it is: A collaboration between the U.S. and India, this fellowship supports Indian students, scholars, and professionals to study or conduct research in the U.S.
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Eligibility:
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Indian citizens with appropriate academic background (four-year bachelor’s or equivalent)
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Strong leadership, research proposals, academic excellence
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What it covers:
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Tuition fees
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Living stipend
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Health insurance
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Airfare / travel allowance
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Considerations:
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Highly competitive process
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Applicants often need to return to India after completion (in many cases)
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Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy
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What it is: A scheme aimed at students from OBC / EBC categories, offering interest subsidy (i.e. the government pays the interest on an education loan during the study period).
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Eligibility:
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Indian citizens from OBC / EBC category
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Family income ceiling as defined in scheme (e.g. ≤ ₹8,00,000)
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Admitted to a foreign university in a program (often Master’s / PhD)
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What it covers:
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Full interest during the moratorium (study period + up to 6 months or 1 year)
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Note: It is a loan subsidy, not a grant — you still repay the principal.
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JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarships
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What it is: While technically not a pure “grant” scholarship, this is a loan-cum-scholarship scheme that awards partial financial assistance to meritorious Indian students studying abroad.
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Eligibility:
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Indian nationals, typically under a certain age limit (often < 45)
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Strong academic record
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Admission to recognized foreign university
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What it provides:
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A portion of the funds as a loan with favorable terms
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A small portion may be “gifted” or converted to a grant depending on performance
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Padho Pardesh Scheme (Interest Subsidy for Minority Students)
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What it is: A scheme that provides interest subsidy on education loans for minority students going abroad.
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Eligibility:
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Students from minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, etc.)
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Admission in foreign university
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Family income limit (e.g. ≤ ₹6,00,000)
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What it covers:
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Interest subsidy (i.e. government pays interest during moratorium) — the principal still must be repaid
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State-Level & Special Schemes (Supplement Your Strategy)
While central government schemes are prominent, many state governments and welfare departments run overseas / foreign education scholarship schemes especially for SC/ST, minorities, or economically weaker sections.
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Example: In Maharashtra, the Rajarshi Shahu Foreign Scholarship is available for SC / Neo-Buddhist students to pursue higher education abroad.
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Many states also offer minority welfare foreign scholarship schemes for postgraduate / doctoral levels.
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These state schemes can be stacked (or combined) with central schemes, but you must carefully check “non-duplication clause” or funding rules.
As a study abroad consultant, you should always query the student’s home state or domicile, caste / minority status, and cross-check whether a local foreign scholarship exists — sometimes a small but definite asset in the funding mix.
How to Apply & Maximize Your Chances
Securing scholarships by Indian government to study abroad is not purely about eligibility — it’s also about strategy, timing, and excellence. Here’s a step-by-step blueprint with tips:
1. Map and shortlist relevant scholarships early
Start by listing all possible central and state schemes your student may qualify for. Filter by:
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Program level (Master’s, PhD, rare undergraduate)
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Category (SC / ST / OBC / minority / general)
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Age, income ceilings, domicile / state rules
2. Secure admission (or conditional offer) early
Many scholarship schemes demand you already have an offer from a recognized university abroad (sometimes with details of fee structure) before you apply.
Hence, plan university shortlists, applications, and acceptances well in advance — ideally before the scholarship application window closes.
Get all supporting documents ready
Typical documents required:
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Academic transcripts, degree / provisional certificate
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Passport, passport photograph
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Caste / community / minority certificate (if applicable)
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Income certificate, family income proofs
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Domicile / state residence certificate
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Offer letter from university abroad
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Statement of Purpose (SOP) / Personal Statement
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Letters of Recommendation
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Bank account / Aadhaar / PAN etc.
Ensure all certificates are authenticated, notarized (if needed), and translated (if required).
4. Craft a strong application & SOP
A bland application won’t win. Tips:
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Show clarity of purpose: Why this program, university, country?
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Highlight past achievements, leadership, community service
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Define how your study abroad plans will benefit India or your local community
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Be honest, precise, and avoid exaggeration
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Proofread ruthlessly — errors in form or grammar may disqualify
5. Apply early and monitor deadlines
Scholarships often have strict windows (May–June, sometimes earlier). Late or incomplete submissions are usually rejected outright. Use checklists and reminders.
6. Follow up and interview preparation
Some schemes shortlist candidates for interviews or written tests. Be ready to articulate your plan, research proposals, and motivations. Practice mock interviews.
7. Plan for disbursement, use & compliance
Once selected, students must often meet compliance conditions (e.g. admission verification, visa, arrival reporting, periodic performance evaluation). Help them understand:
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Disbursement schedules
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Conditions (e.g. maintain minimum GPA)
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Refund / repayment clauses (in case of dropout)
As a consultant, you should pro-actively track these stages so your students don’t lose their awards.
Common Challenges & How to Mitigate Them
Limited seats / fierce competition
Because the number of scholarships by Indian government to study abroad is often limited, high competition is inevitable. Mitigation:
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Encourage multiple scholarship applications
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Build a robust profile (not just academics but co-curricular, research, internships)
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Use fallback funding sources (university scholarships, private trusts)
Funding delays or bureaucratic hurdles
Some students report disbursement delays, paperwork bottlenecks, or sanctioning delays. To reduce risk:
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Maintain regular communication with funding authority
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Keep your documents up to date
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File early and ensure compliance with government norms
Non-availability for undergraduate abroad
Most central schemes focus on postgraduate / research levels, making undergraduate abroad funding rare. Mitigation:
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Explore foreign government scholarships, university merit scholarships, private international scholarships
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Leverage local state schemes (if any)
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Consider partial funding and loan + grant mix
Duplication or conflicting funding rules
Many schemes disallow simultaneous funding from multiple government sources. Always read the “non-duplication clause” and help your student decide which combination is legally permissible.
Role of Span International — How We Help You Win
As a dedicated study abroad consultancy, Span International offers more than just university shortlists and visa assistance. When it comes to scholarships by Indian government to study abroad, here’s what we bring to the table:
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Comprehensive eligibility assessment: We screen each student’s category, income, domicile, academic record, and match applicable schemes
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Application support & coaching: SOP reviews, interview preparation, document checklists, mock interviews
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Deadline tracking & follow-up: Alerts for scholarship windows in central and state departments
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Disbursement liaison: We help follow up with funding authorities, ensure compliance, track fund release
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Alternate funding options: In case the government scholarship doesn’t fully cover costs, we help identify university scholarships, private trusts, or loan + grant mixes
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Customized strategy per student: Each student’s profile is unique; we tailor the plan (which scholarships to apply for, which universities to target, whether to combine with external funding)
By integrating scholarship planning into your study abroad journey, we can maximize your odds of success and reduce financial stress.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Can I apply for more than one Indian government scholarship to study abroad?
A: Yes — as long as the schemes do not have a “non-duplication clause.” Always check each scholarship’s terms. Some may prohibit receiving two central funds simultaneously; others (like state + central) may allow it.
Q: Do these government scholarships cover family or dependent costs abroad?
A: Usually not. Most schemes cover only the student’s travel, tuition, living stipend, and insurance, not spouse or children costs.
Q: Can a student apply before obtaining admission to a foreign university?
A: Most schemes require proof of admission (or at least conditional offer). Some may accept provisional offers, but it depends on scheme rules. Always check individual guidelines.
Q: If I drop out of the foreign university, do I have to repay the scholarship?
A: Yes. Many schemes have clauses requiring reimbursement of funds or revocation of benefits in case of dropout or failure. That’s why compliance is essential.
Q: Are these scholarships available for undergraduate programs abroad?
A: In most cases, central government schemes prioritize postgraduate / PhD levels. Undergraduate scholarships by central government are rare. However, some state schemes or ICCR programs may support undergraduates.
Q: When are the application windows generally open?
A: For many schemes, the window is between May and June, but it can vary. State schemes may follow different timelines. Always check official portals yearly.
Dreaming of studying abroad is easy; funding it is the real challenge. But scholarships by Indian government to study abroad turn that challenge into an opportunity. With the right strategy, early planning, strong applications, and trusted guidance, students can unlock financial assistance that opens the doors to global education.
At Span International, we don’t just help you pick universities or file visas — we make scholarship planning a core pillar of your overseas journey. If you’re serious about leveraging government funding (alongside other scholarship opportunities), let us audit your profile, map your options, and help you execute a winning scholarship strategy.
Ready to check which Indian government scholarships you qualify for?
Contact us at Span International today for a free scholarship eligibility audit.
