Financial barriers often block the path to quality higher education. High tuition fees and the cost of living abroad can force even the most high-performing students to rethink their plans. Merit based scholarships for Indian students address this by rewarding academic, artistic, or leadership achievements with financial support, often waiving tuition or funding travel and living costs.
In the 2026 academic cycle, major programs are expanding. For example, the Reliance Foundation expects to support 5,000 students through its undergraduate merit based program. This guide details the available funding, eligibility, and the steps to secure a place in these competitive programs.
What is Merit Based Scholarships for Indian Students?
Merit based admission refers to a selection process where entry and funding are determined primarily by a candidate’s achievements such as grades, test scores, or leadership rather than their financial status. Unlike need-based aid, it focuses on future potential and past excellence.
In 2026, merit based admission has shifted toward a holistic review. Universities evaluate:
- Academic Excellence: High GPA and competitive scores in standardized tests.
- Specialized Skills: Demonstrated talent in sports, arts, or specific research fields.
- Merit Based Exam Means: This refers to standardized aptitude tests used to rank students. For instance, the Reliance Foundation scholarship uses a 60-minute online test to filter candidates from a large applicant pool.
Merit-Based vs. Need-Based Scholarships
| Feature | Merit Based Scholarships | Need-Based Scholarships |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Basis | Excellence in academics, arts, or sports | Proof of financial hardship |
| Key Requirements | High GPA, SAT/GRE scores, or portfolios | Low family income and asset proof |
| Application Focus | Personal achievements and leadership roles | Financial aid forms (e.g., FAFSA) |
Types of Merit Based Scholarships
The various types of merit based scholarships include academic, athletic, artistic, and talent-based scholarships. This shows these awards serve the funding requirements of students who excel in diverse backgrounds. Let us discuss the types of merit scholarship to help you understand your best fit:
- Academic Scholarships: This is the most common type of merit scholarship, awarded to students with high academic scores and those who qualify in exams such as the SAT or GRE. However, there are many universities in the US without the GRE, where you can apply and qualify.
- Athletic Scholarships: These are specially designed for talented sportspersons or athletes who have the potential to enhance the university’s sports team.
- Artistic Scholarships: These are for creative students who excel in music, dance, theatre, or visual arts. The selection committee may require an audition or a creative portfolio.
- Leadership and Talent-Based Scholarships: Students who have contributed to community service, demonstrated leadership potential, or shown entrepreneurial skills are considered.
Top 15 Merit Based Scholarships for Indian Students
For Indian students who dream of studying abroad, finding the right merit based scholarships can be a daunting task. Some of them only provide a full or partial tuition fee waiver to ease the burden of university fees. Others, in addition to a fee waiver, provide living allowances or stipends (a yearly or monthly sum) to help overcome the high cost of living overseas.
To help you find your best fit, here is a curated list of the top scholarships for Indian students that reward academic merit. We will also discuss merit scholarship eligibility, their benefits, and deadlines for 2026:
1. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships (USA)
The Fulbright-Nehru foreign student program is counted among some of the most prestigious merit scholarships for Indian students. Each year, it helps around 4,000 international students pursue their master’s or doctoral education across different universities in the United States.
Average Award: Covers full tuition, a living stipend, J-1 visa sponsorship, travel costs, and health insurance.
Application Deadline: September or October 2026.
Apply: Fulbright Foreign Student Program Page
2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Chevening Scholarship is provided by the UK Government’s flagship global programme. It helps high achievers from India pursue a master’s degree and covers their full tuition fees.
Average Award: Includes full tuition fees, visa fee, arrival and departure allowance, and monthly living allowance. It also includes the cost of TB testing, £75 (₹8,900) and a travel top-up allowance.
Application Deadline: October 7, 2026
Apply: Official Chevening Scholarship Page
3. Inlaks Scholarships
The Inlaks program supports exceptional young Indians for Master’s, M.Phil, or PhD programs at top institutions in the US, UK, and Europe. This merit based scholarship program widens the perspective of talented students by offering funds for courses that last between 9 months to 4 years.
Average Award: Covers tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, and health allowance, up to $100,000 (₹87,97,420) for four years.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Apply: Official Inlaks Page
4. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship
The Narotam Sekhsaria scholarship is funded by a non-profit foundation that aims to support the educational needs of meritorious students. It provides postgraduate scholarships, mentorship, and a wide scholarship network of students from diverse backgrounds.
Average Award: An interest-free loan of up to ₹20,00,000 that needs to be repaid one year after finishing the course in installments.
Application Deadline: Expected on March 17, 2026.
Apply: Narotam Sekhsaria Page
5. K.C. Mahindra Scholarship
The K.C. Mahindra Education Trust offers interest-free loans of up to ₹10,00,000 to meritorious Indian students. The trust has offered this scholarship since 1956, showing its commitment to supporting scholars who want to pursue postgraduate degrees.
Average Award: ₹10,00,000 to top 3 K.C. Mahindra fellows each and ₹5,00,000 to each remaining successful applicants
Application Deadline: April 2026
Apply: K.C. Mahindra Education Trust Page
6. Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
This is one of the most sought-after fully funded scholarships for indian students. Under this scholarship, about 80 full tuition scholarships are given to international students who want to pursue PG degrees at the University of Cambridge.
Average Award: Covers full tuition, university composition fee, a maintenance allowance of £21,000 (₹24,98,985) for 12 months and for 4 years for PhD scholars. It also includes travel costs, along with visa costs and the cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Application Deadline: Varies with selected course.
Apply: Official Gates Cambridge Page
7. Rhodes Scholarships (UK)
The Rhodes program stands as one of the oldest merit based scholarships for international students. It provides fully-funded awards to international applicants who plan to study at the University of Oxford for postgraduate degrees in any field.
Average Award: Covers full University of Oxford course fees and college fees, and even the application fee. It also provides a stipend of £19,800 (₹23,54,350) per annum, a fee for International Health Surcharge (IHS), and two economy-class flights. Additionally, the student Visa fee and renewal fee, along with a settling allowance, are also provided.
Application Deadline: Applications for India close on October 1, 2026.
Apply: Official Rhodes Trust Page
8. Vanier Canada-Canada Graduate Research Scholarship
The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship awards financial aid to world-class doctoral candidates studying at Canadian institutions. It recognises their leadership skills and scholarly achievement by reserving 15% scholarship for international applicants and easing their cost of living in Canada.
Average Award: CAD 40,000 (₹25,46,446) per year for PhD students for 3 years.
Application Deadline: October 17, 2026
Apply: Official Vanier Canada Page
9. Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship (Australia)
The Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship rewards high-achieving international students. It provides a partial tuition waiver to help students from economically disadvantaged nations access quality education in Australia.
Average Award: Covers a 25% tuition fee remission.
Application Deadline: Varies by intake.
Apply: Official Page of The University of Melbourne
10. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
The Swiss Confederation, under its Government Excellence Scholarships, rewards meritorious postgraduate researchers each year. Under this merit based scholarship, the participants can conduct a one-year research project in any discipline at one of Switzerland’s public-funded universities. This promotes cultural and research exchange among over 180 nations.
Average Award: Includes a monthly stipend of CHF 1,920 (₹2,12,448) to cover costs of living.
Application Deadlines: November 2026 for Indian Applicants.
Apply: Official Scholarship Page
11. Felix Scholarships (University of Oxford, UK)
The Felix fellowship enables outstanding Indian students to pursue postgraduate studies in any topic at leading universities in the UK. These institutions include the University of Oxford, the University of Reading, and the School of Oriental and African Studies. Since 1991, it has provided financial assistance to deserving students by covering the cost of a full degree course as well as living expenses.
Average Award: Covers 100% of course fees, a grant of about £19,000 (₹22,57,540) for living costs, and one return flight from India to the UK.
Application Deadline: December 2025 or January 2026, as per the course application deadline.
Apply: Official Page
12. International Scholarships (University of British Columbia, Canada)
The University of British Columbia (UBC) allocates about $35 million each year to provide merit based scholarships and grants to high-achieving International students. All the course applicants are automatically considered for UBC’s merit-based award.
Average Award:
$10,000 to $20,000 (₹8,79,742 – ₹17,59,484)/year for those who qualify for International Major Entrance Scholarships (IMES).
$10,000 to $25,000 (₹8,79,742 – ₹21,99,355)/year for those who qualify for Outstanding International Student (OIS).
Application Deadline:
- Winter Session (September 2026 to April 2027)
- Summer Session (May to August 2026)
Apply: Official UBC Page
13. Australia Awards Scholarships
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Australian Government offers various fully-funded scholarships in Australia. It provides opportunities for students from developing countries, including India, to pursue UG and PG degrees in Australia.
Average Award: Covers complete tuition, round-trip air tickets, an establishment allowance, and a biweekly contribution to living expenses. It also includes Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), costs for Pre-course English (PCE) if necessary, and academic or fieldwork support.
Application Deadline: Around April or May 2026.
Apply: Official Australian Awards Website
14. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a wide range of merit based scholarships for international students to pursue postgraduate study and research in Germany. The German Federal Foreign Office funds these awards for a duration between 10 months to 2 years. It also supports creative merit scholarships in the fields of architecture, fine art/design/film, performing arts, and music.
Average Award: It awards scholarship payment of €992 (₹1,01,303)/month, annual study allowance (€460/₹46,975), health insurance, and travel allowance. (Master’s scholarship)
Application Deadline: Varies by program.
Apply: DAAD Website
15. Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP)
The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship is a scholarship program financed by both the Japanese government and the World Bank. It assists students from underdeveloped nations, including India, to pursue master’s degrees in development-related subjects. Recipients can study at partner universities across the world, including in Japan. The scholarship provides scholars with the necessary skills and knowledge to help their home countries thrive.
Average Award: The scholarship award covers two economy-class flight tickets and a travel allowance of US$600 (₹52,786). It also grants funds for two years of tuition fees, a living stipend, and basic medical care.
Application Deadline:
- Slot 1: January 15 to February 27, 2026
- Slot 2:March 30 to May 29, 2026
Apply: Official JJ/WBGSP Website
Understanding Merit Based Scholarship Eligibility
Securing a scholarship is highly competitive at all levels. While Class 12 students focus on board results, PG and PhD applicants are evaluated on a broader “portfolio of impact,” including research potential and professional maturity.
Standard Merit Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements vary depending on your level of study and the awarding body:
- Academic Criteria:
- Undergraduate (UG): Most programs require 75% to 90% in Class 12. Exceptions exist, such as the Reliance Foundation, which sets a minimum of 60% for first-year students.
- Postgraduate (PG): Typically requires an undergraduate degree with first-class honors (60–70% or equivalent CGPA). Programs like the Inlaks Foundation require a minimum of 65% to 70% depending on the subject area.
- Doctoral (PhD): Scholars are often required to hold a Master’s degree with a minimum of 55% to 60% and demonstrate exceptional scholarly achievement.
- Aptitude & Standardized Performance:
- Domestic Merit: Competitive entrance scores (e.g., JEE, NEET) often serve as primary filters for UG students. PG students may be judged on GATE scores or university rank (e.g., UGC University Rank Holders scheme).
- International Merit: For study abroad, clearing standardized tests like the GRE or GMAT is frequently required, alongside English proficiency tests such as IELTS (typically 6.5+) or TOEFL.
- Work Experience & Age Limits:
- Flagship international programs for Master’s students, such as Chevening or Fulbright-Nehru, often mandate 2 to 3 years of professional work experience.
- Age limits generally apply; for instance, many PG scholarships cap eligibility at 30 years, while PhD awards may extend this to 35 or 50 years.
- Income Limits:
- While focused on merit, many Indian schemes (e.g., SBI Asha or Reliance Foundation) set annual family income ceilings to ensure aid reaches those who need it most. These typically range from ₹3 Lakhs to ₹15 Lakhs.
How to Qualify and Apply for Merit Based Scholarships: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before applying for merit based scholarships, read all the requirements carefully and mark your calendar with the application deadlines. Start planning at least a year before your higher education plans to find the best scholarships for your career goals. To guide you on how to get a merit based scholarship, let us discuss some important steps:
Building a Strong Academic Profile
To make an impact, aim for high GPAs and choose electives and courses that demonstrate your passion for your chosen field of study. Additionally, devote extra time to preparing for scholarship exams to study abroad, like the SAT, GRE, or GMAT. Many institutions abroad require passing scores in these tests as a prerequisite for admission.
Step 1: Research and Find the Right Scholarships
Begin by shortlisting the best universities in your chosen field. Then, visit the colleges’ websites and scholarship pages to confirm your eligibility. Next, examine government portals like the National Scholarship Portal to determine if they cover your preferred university or country. Finally, review the scholarship list on career platforms to see if you missed anything.
Step 2: Prepare a Strong Application
To improve your chances, collect and upload copies of documents such as:
- Secondary school documents for undergraduate programmes
- Bachelor’s degree and other related documents for postgraduate admissions
- Offer letter from your chosen university
- Reports of test scores for exams such as the SAT, GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs) and Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Proof of citizenship and address
- Work portfolio for creative merit scholarships
Step 3: Write a Compelling Scholarship Essay
The scholarship essay or Statement of Purpose (SOP) allows you to communicate your potential to the selection committee. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while writing:
- Instead of submitting a general essay, write it according to the aim of the scholarship.
- Mention instances from your volunteering or community service experiences.
- Before submitting, read your essay aloud and proofread to make sure it is free of typing mistakes.
- You can also ask your mentor to review it and provide constructive feedback.
Conclusion:
Navigating the landscape of merit based scholarships for Indian students in 2026 requires meticulous planning and a strong narrative. Whether you are looking for a ug merit scholarship or an elite fellowship, starting early is the key to success.
Planning for your degree in 2026? LeapScholar provides personalized guidance to help you shortlist the right awards, refine your SOP, and build a competitive application profile.
Connect with a LeapScholar mentor today to start your application journey!
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
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Are there merit scholarships that don’t just look at grades?
Merit scholarships come in various types. Apart from academic scholarships, many universities offer awards for athletes and creative students. These scholarships evaluate your skills in arts, dance, music, sports, and even business acumen. Most universities prefer all-rounders to enhance the diversity of their student body.
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Which college gives the most merit scholarships?
Several prestigious global institutions are recognized for offering extensive merit based aid, including Yale University and Stanford University, which provide significant funding for high-achieving international students. In the UK, the University of Glasgow recently announced a £15,000 (approx. ₹18.2 lakh) scholarship exclusively for Indian students, while Cambridge offers the prestigious Gates Cambridge award. Other major contributors include private entities and government programs like Chevening (UK) and MEXT (Japan), which provide full funding to scholars with exceptional leadership and academic records.
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How can you receive a scholarship based on merit?
To receive a scholarship based on merit, you must typically complete a detailed online application that includes academic transcripts, personal statements, and proof of specialized achievements. Many flagship programs, such as the Reliance Foundation, require a mandatory aptitude test focusing on analytical, verbal, and numerical abilities to filter high-performing candidates. Finally, for many international and private awards, you must secure an admission offer from a recognized institution before applying to demonstrate your academic readiness.
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Who is eligible for merit based scholarships?
Eligibility for merit based scholarships in 2026 is primarily determined by high academic performance, often requiring a minimum of 60% to 75% marks or a 7.0 CGPA from the previous academic year. Programs like the Reliance Foundation or Inlaks scholarships also evaluate leadership potential, community commitment, and specific talents in arts or sports. Additionally, many merit-cum-means awards include gross annual family income limits, which can range from ₹2,00,000 to ₹15,00,000 depending on the specific scheme.
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