Indian Government Scholarships: Complete Guide for Students (2026)

Many Indian students dream of studying abroad, but high costs often stop them from taking the first step. Tuition, travel, and living expenses at top global universities can add up quickly, making international education feel out of reach. While a record 1.8 million Indian students are now overseas, most don’t realise that fully and partially funded Indian government scholarships can cover a major share of these expenses.

These programs cover everything from tuition and travel to living expenses at top universities in the US, UK, Europe, and more. The problem is, many students miss out simply because they don’t know what scholarships are available or how to apply. If you’re planning to study abroad in 2026, this guide will help you understand the top government scholarships, who can apply, what they cover, and how to improve your chances of getting selected. 

Government scholarships for indian students are financial aid programs funded by either the central or state governments to support students in their education. These scholarships reduce or fully cover costs like tuition, books, travel, and living expenses. Many international scholarships for Indian students support study plans in popular countries like the USA, UK, and Europe.

Central government scholarships are offered nationwide and managed by ministries or national bodies like the Ministry of Education or MEA. State government scholarships are available only to students from a specific state and often focus on local communities, caste groups, or income categories.

Government scholarships for students in India come in different categories based on merit, family income, and social background. Some programs focus on support within India, while others allow students to continue their studies abroad. For school-level learners, the Pre Matric Scholarship offers support up to class 10. For higher classes, the Post Matric Scholarship continues to support after class 10 and into college-level education. Together, these schemes cover students across multiple stages of learning.

You can study abroad with full or partial fee coverage through an abroad scholarship for indian students. Here are the top indian government scholarships for studying abroad that support tuition, travel, and living costs for overseas education.

The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) is a central sector scheme of scholarship that supports students from specific groups to pursue Master’s and PhD programs abroad. The scheme provides full financial support, but only to those who meet strict eligibility conditions.

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The Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are fully funded scholarships offered to talented Indian citizens to pursue select master’s degrees in the U.S. These fellowships focus on fields that contribute to India’s development, such as public policy, environment, and education.

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The Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship is a joint initiative by the U.S. and Indian governments to support pre-doctoral research in climate-related fields. It is designed for Indian PhD scholars to conduct 6–9 months of research at a U.S. institution.

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The Interest Subsidy on Education Loans (ISEL) scheme provides financial relief to OBC and EBC students by covering the interest on education loans taken for postgraduate studies abroad. The subsidy applies only during the loan’s moratorium period (the time when you don’t need to repay the loan).

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The Ms Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship is a fully funded fellowship offered by the Government of India for advanced research at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford. Only one fellowship is awarded each year to a highly qualified Indian scholar in specific social science fields.

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The Raman-Charpak Fellowship is a flagship program jointly funded by the Government of India (DST) and the Government of France (MESR) to support PhD students from India and France in conducting short-term research internships in each other’s countries.

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The Telangana Overseas Scholarship Schemes are state-funded programs by the Government of Telangana to support students from SC, ST, BC, Minority, and EBC communities in pursuing higher education abroad. These include schemes like Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi (SC), Mahatma Jyothiba Phule Overseas Vidya Nidhi (BC & EBC), etc. The schemes cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

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Indian government scholarships require students to meet certain academic, financial, and legal conditions. These can vary by country and course, but some core requirements remain the same.

• Completed required education (Class 12 for UG, degree for PG)
• Minimum 60% marks (varies by university)
• English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL)
• Standardised tests (GRE/GMAT/SAT) if required
• Valid passport and student visa
• An admission letter from a recognised foreign university
• Proof of funds or scholarship for tuition and living expenses
• Meets age, income, and merit criteria for government scholarships

Applying through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) involves a few key steps. All actions must be completed on the official website.

The NSP portal lists government scholarships for college students each year. Here’s a quick guide on how to apply:

• Registration
  • Go to the NSP login site and click on “New Registration.”
  • Read the instructions carefully.
  • Keep Aadhaar number (or enrollment ID), mobile number, email, academic documents, and bank details ready.
  • Fill in your personal details and create a password.
  • Verify using OTP and complete face authentication via the NSP OTR app if required.
  • You will get a One-Time Registration (OTR) number—save it for future use.
• Login and Application
  • Click on “Student Login” and enter your OTR/Application ID and password.
  • On first login, reset your password.
  • Select your scholarship scheme and fill out the application with academic and personal details.
  • Upload required documents.
  • Review and click Final Submit. You cannot make changes after submission.
• Track Application Status
  • Log in to your NSP account.
  • Use the “Track Application Status” option in the dashboard.

These documents must be scanned and uploaded during the application. Ensure that all details match exactly with the information provided in the application form.

• Aadhaar Card or other government ID (e.g., PAN)
• Income Certificate from a competent authority
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Bank passbook or account details
• Educational certificates (marksheets, admission proof)
• Domicile Certificate (if required by state-specific schemes)

A strong scholarship application can increase your chances of being selected for a study abroad scholarship. Follow these tips to stand out and avoid common mistakes:

• Start early: Don’t wait for the last date, gather documents and begin your application well in advance.
• Read guidelines carefully: Each scholarship has specific rules. Follow them word-for-word.
• Write a strong essay: Focus on your goals, achievements, and why you deserve the scholarship. Be clear and honest.
• Avoid document errors: Double-check spellings, dates, and numbers. Mismatched details may lead to rejection.
• Upload clear scans: Blurry or incomplete documents may be marked invalid. Use high-quality scans only.
• Keep copies of everything: Save your application ID, submitted form, and uploaded files for reference.
• Track your status: Regularly check your NSP or PFMS account to stay updated on application progress.

Indian government scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of studying abroad. With the right planning, documents, and deadlines in place, you can improve your chances of being selected.

Need help preparing a strong application or choosing the right course? Leap Scholar offers expert guidance to support your study abroad journey. Our counsellors advise students on how to get scholarship to study abroad based on their marks and goals. Start your scholarship application plan today!