{"id":7382,"date":"2022-05-13T18:42:57","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T18:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/?p=7382"},"modified":"2026-06-04T11:54:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T11:54:09","slug":"cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/","title":{"rendered":"Cambridge Scholarships for Indian Students 2026-27: Types, Amounts, and How to Apply"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>\n<div class=\"quick-read-box\">\n\n  <div class=\"qr-header\">\n    <span style=\"font-size:18px;\">\u26a1<\/span>\n    <h3 class=\"qr-title\">Quick Read<\/h3>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li>Cambridge funds 1,100 to 1,400 scholarship students every year at UG, Masters, and PhD levels.<\/li>\n\n    <li>The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers full tuition plus a \u00a321,000 (Rs.2,83,487 maintenance allowance per year.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Indian students qualify for exclusive Cambridge scholarships: Nehru Memorial, Pemanda Monappa, and Prathiba M. Singh.<\/li>\n\n    <li>Cambridge Trust: tick the funding box in the Applicant Portal.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <div class=\"qr-footer\">\n    \ud83d\udc49 Best for: Indian UG, Masters, and PhD applicants researching Cambridge funding options.\n\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cambridge_Scholarships_Available_to_Indian_Students_in_2026-27\"><\/span><strong>Cambridge Scholarships Available to Indian Students in 2026-27<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Cambridge scholarship funding comes from four sources. The first step is to understand which category applies to your level and nationality.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Content<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #192a3d;color:#192a3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#Cambridge_Scholarships_Available_to_Indian_Students_in_2026-27\" title=\"Cambridge Scholarships Available to Indian Students in 2026-27\">Cambridge Scholarships Available to Indian Students in 2026-27<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#Gates_Cambridge_Scholarship_What_It_Covers_for_Indian_Students\" title=\"Gates Cambridge Scholarship: What It Covers for Indian Students\">Gates Cambridge Scholarship: What It Covers for Indian Students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#Cambridge_Trust_Scholarships_How_the_Main_Funding_Body_Works\" title=\"Cambridge Trust Scholarships: How the Main Funding Body Works\">Cambridge Trust Scholarships: How the Main Funding Body Works<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#India-Exclusive_Cambridge_Scholarships_Most_Applicants_Miss\" title=\"India-Exclusive Cambridge Scholarships Most Applicants Miss\">India-Exclusive Cambridge Scholarships Most Applicants Miss<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#Eligibility_for_Cambridge_Scholarships_Academic_Benchmarks_for_Indian_Students\" title=\"Eligibility for Cambridge Scholarships: Academic Benchmarks for Indian Students\">Eligibility for Cambridge Scholarships: Academic Benchmarks for Indian Students<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#Which_Cambridge_Scholarship_Should_You_Apply_For_A_Profile-Based_Guide\" title=\"Which Cambridge Scholarship Should You Apply For? A Profile-Based Guide\">Which Cambridge Scholarship Should You Apply For? A Profile-Based Guide<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#Cambridge_Scholarships_Application_Calendar_2026-27_Planning_for_2027-28_Entry\" title=\"Cambridge Scholarships Application Calendar: 2026-27 Planning (for 2027-28 Entry)\">Cambridge Scholarships Application Calendar: 2026-27 Planning (for 2027-28 Entry)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#What_to_Do_When_Your_Cambridge_Scholarships_Application_Goes_Wrong\" title=\"What to Do When Your Cambridge Scholarships Application Goes Wrong&nbsp;\">What to Do When Your Cambridge Scholarships Application Goes Wrong&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#3_Takeaways_for_Indian_Students_on_Cambridge_Scholarships\" title=\"3 Takeaways for Indian Students on Cambridge Scholarships&nbsp;\">3 Takeaways for Indian Students on Cambridge Scholarships&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/cambridge-trust-scholarship-eligibility-process\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Cambridge_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge Scholarships for Indian Students\">Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge Scholarships for Indian Students<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Scholarship<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Level<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Full or Partial<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>India-Eligible<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Approx. Value<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gatescambridge.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gates Cambridge<\/a><\/td><td>Masters, PhD<\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>\u00a321,000 (Rs. 26,99,760)\/yr + fees<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridgetrust.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambridge Trust International<\/a><\/td><td>Masters, PhD, UG<\/td><td>Full or Partial<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Varies by award<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.student-funding.cam.ac.uk\/fund\/jawaharlal-nehru-memorial-cambridge-scholarship-2022\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial<\/a><\/td><td>PhD<\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Indians only<\/td><td>Fees + maintenance + airfare<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridgetrust.org\/scholarships\/pemanda-monappa-scholarship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pemanda Monappa<\/a><\/td><td>Masters<\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Indians only (South India connection)<\/td><td>Fees + maintenance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridgetrust.org\/scholarships\/scholarship\/?award=137\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prathiba M Singh<\/a><\/td><td>LLM<\/td><td>Partial<\/td><td>Indians only<\/td><td>Variable (financial need-based)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oxbridgeindia.com\/scholarship-guidelines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OCSI Scholarships<\/a><\/td><td>UG, PG, Research<\/td><td>Partial<\/td><td>Indians only<\/td><td>Rs.4,00,000 each<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/inlaksfoundation.org\/opportunities\/scholarship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inlaks Shivdasani<\/a><\/td><td>Masters, PhD<\/td><td>Full or Partial<\/td><td>Indians only<\/td><td>Fees + living costs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk\/commonwealth-shared-scholarships-eligible-courses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Commonwealth Shared<\/a><\/td><td>Masters<\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Yes (Commonwealth nations)<\/td><td>Fees + maintenance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chevening.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chevening<\/a><\/td><td>Masters<\/td><td>Full<\/td><td>Yes<\/td><td>Fees + maintenance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>College\/Departmental Awards<\/td><td>All levels<\/td><td>Partial<\/td><td>Varies<\/td><td>Varies<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Exchange rate used:<\/em><\/strong><em> 1 GBP = Rs.128.56. Verify the current rate before finalizing your budget.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Important:<\/em><\/strong><em> Full Cambridge scholarships at the undergraduate level are rare. Most UG funding is partial, competitive, and based on both merit and financial need. Full funding is concentrated at the postgraduate level.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridgetrust.org\/scholarships\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Cambridge Trust Scholarship Finder<\/em><\/a><em> |<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gatescambridge.org\/programme\/the-scholarship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Gates Cambridge Program<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gates_Cambridge_Scholarship_What_It_Covers_for_Indian_Students\"><\/span><strong>Gates Cambridge Scholarship: What It Covers for Indian Students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Gates Cambridge Scholarship is the most prestigious fully funded Cambridge scholarship for postgraduate students outside the UK. Established in 2000 through a $210 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it awards approximately 80 scholarships annually, with around 55 available in the international round (which includes India).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Full coverage for 2025-26 (2026-27 figures align closely):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>University Composition Fee:<\/strong> full tuition at the overseas rate (\u00a325,000 to \u00a360,000+ depending on course)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maintenance allowance:<\/strong> \u00a321,000 (Rs. 26,99,760) per year for 12 months (2025-26 rate); up to 4 years for PhD<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One economy return airfare<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inbound UK visa costs and Immigration Health Surcharge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Academic development funding:<\/strong> \u00a3500 to \u00a32,000 (Rs.64,280 to Rs.2,57,120) for conferences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dependent Children Allowance: <\/strong>up to \u00a312,184 (Rs.1,56,636) for one child<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The total value of a 3-4-year PhD can exceed \u00a3150,000 (Rs. 1.93 Cr).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Acceptance rate:<\/strong> Approximately 0.5% of applicants receive an award, making it one of the most competitive international scholarships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who is eligible:<\/strong> Any non-UK citizen applying for a full-time postgraduate degree (PhD, MSc, MLitt, or one-year Masters) at Cambridge. Indian students are fully eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What the selection committee looks for beyond grades:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Academic excellence: <\/strong>first-class degree or equivalent. Indian applicants typically need a CGPA of 8.5\/10 or above.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A strong case for why Cambridge is the right place for your specific research or course.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Leadership: <\/strong>demonstrated through roles, initiatives, or community work, not just titles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Commitment to improving the lives of others: <\/strong>Your dedication is assessed through your personal statement and references, not by checking boxes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight:<\/em><\/strong><em> Most Indian applicants who are shortlisted have already contacted a potential supervisor before applying. For PhD applicants especially, a supervisor who can confirm interest in your research area significantly strengthens your application. Do such outreach before the application opens in September, not after.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>2027-28 cycle:<\/em><\/strong><em> Applications open in September 2026. Indian applicants fall in the international round with deadlines in December 2026 or January 2027 (course-dependent). The 2026-27 cycle is now closed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source<\/em><\/strong><em>: Gates Cambridge Scholarship Program<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cambridge_Trust_Scholarships_How_the_Main_Funding_Body_Works\"><\/span><strong>Cambridge Trust Scholarships: How the Main Funding Body Works<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cambridge Commonwealth, European, and International Trust is the largest provider of Cambridge scholarships for international students, supporting 1,100 to 1,400 students in residence each year. It works with partner organizations worldwide and manages many of the India-specific awards listed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How to apply:<\/strong> No separate application. When you apply for your course through the Cambridge Applicant Portal, tick the box: &#8220;Yes, I wish to apply for funding.&#8221; Your application is automatically considered for every Trust award you are eligible for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>The Trust does not offer full-cost scholarships for MBA or MFin programs. It may co-fund students on these programs if nominated by a funding partner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Funding for students with financial need is highly competitive. The Trust expects you to apply for all suitable external scholarships before relying on Trust funding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Awards are announced between March and July.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 2026-27 funding deadlines (2 December 2025 and 7 January 2026) have passed. The 2027-28 cycle opens in September 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Source<\/em><\/strong><em>:<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridgetrust.org\/postgraduate-applicants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em> <\/em><em>Cambridge Trust: Postgraduate Applicants<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"India-Exclusive_Cambridge_Scholarships_Most_Applicants_Miss\"><\/span><strong>India-Exclusive Cambridge Scholarships Most Applicants Miss<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These Cambridge scholarships are open only to Indian nationals. Most competitor articles do not list them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Scholarship<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Level<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Who Qualifies<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What It Covers<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial<\/td><td>PhD<\/td><td>Indian citizens, any subject; under 28 as of 1 Sep\/Oct of selection year (priority given to those under 30); first-class degree required, first-class Masters preferred<\/td><td>Tuition (home rate), college fees, maintenance, contribution to return airfare<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pemanda Monappa<\/td><td>Masters<\/td><td>Indian nationals with a close connection to AP, Karnataka, Kerala, or Tamil Nadu; subjects: Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Economics, English Literature, Law, Physical Sciences, Technology<\/td><td>Tuition, college fees, maintenance; one scholar at a time; no separate application<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prathiba M Singh<\/td><td>LLM<\/td><td>Indian applicants; IP Law focus; intent to pursue legal career in India; financial need required<\/td><td>Variable, need-based<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>OCSI Scholarships<\/td><td>UG, PG, Research<\/td><td>Indian nationals at any level; all subjects<\/td><td>Rs.4,00,000 per award; part-cost; 2026-27 applications closed; next cycle opens early 2027<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation<\/td><td>Masters, PhD<\/td><td>Indian nationals under 30 (Masters) or under 35 (PhD); strong academic record; based in India at time of application<\/td><td>Up to $100,000 (Rs.83,63,500) covering tuition, living costs, and travel; separate application to Inlaks required<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Counselor insight: <\/em><\/strong><em>The Nehru Memorial and Pemanda Monappa Cambridge scholarships receive far fewer applications than Gates Cambridge. If you are a South Indian Masters applicant in an eligible subject, flag the Pemanda Monappa specifically in your funding section when applying.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eligibility_for_Cambridge_Scholarships_Academic_Benchmarks_for_Indian_Students\"><\/span><strong>Eligibility for Cambridge Scholarships: Academic Benchmarks for Indian Students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Academic Requirements for Cambridge Scholarships&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Level<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>General Requirement<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>India Equivalent<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Undergraduate<\/td><td>Top high school grades<\/td><td>CBSE\/ISC 95%+ in relevant subjects<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Masters<\/td><td>First-class bachelor&#8217;s degree<\/td><td>60%+ aggregate or CGPA 6.75+\/10 from most universities; 8.5+\/10 for competitive awards like Gates Cambridge<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PhD<\/td><td>First-class degree; Masters preferred for some awards<\/td><td>CGPA 8.5+\/10 with first-class Masters for Nehru Memorial<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Note<\/em><\/strong><em>: In January 2026, Cambridge announced CBSE Class 12 will be accepted for some undergraduate courses, with additional entry requirements likely for most programs. Check <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk\/courses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>your specific course page<\/em><\/a><em>; CBSE-only routes remain limited and course-specific.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>English Language Requirements for Cambridge Scholarships&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/ielts\">IELTS<\/a>: 7.5 overall, no band below 7.0.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/ielts\/preparation-online\"><em>Prepare for IELTS with LeapScholar<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/exams\/toefl\">TOEFL iBT<\/a>: 110 overall, minimum 25 in each component (<strong><em>note<\/em><\/strong><em>: TOEFL taken after 21 January 2026 requires an additional Cambridge Language Centre assessment<\/em>). Check your specific course page; some departments set higher minimums.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Documents Required for Cambridge Scholarships&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Document<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>India-Specific Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/academic-transcript-certificates-meaning-sample-university-colleges\/\">Academic transcripts<\/a><\/td><td>All semester marksheets from Class 10 onward; attested copies<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Degree certificate<\/td><td>Final degree certificate or provisional certificate if results are recent<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>English language certificate<\/td><td>IELTS\/TOEFL scores must be valid at time of application<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/statement-of-purpose\">Statement of purpose<\/a> \/ Research proposal<\/td><td>Required for PhD; Gates Cambridge has a separate personal statement section<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/letter-of-recommendation\/\">Letters of recommendation <\/a>(2-3)<\/td><td>Academic referees only for most awards; choose faculty who know your work closely<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>CV<\/td><td>Include research, publications, leadership roles, and community work<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Financial information<\/td><td>Required in the funding section of the portal; include all income sources<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Valid passport<\/td><td>Must be valid for the full duration of your course<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Cambridge_Scholarship_Should_You_Apply_For_A_Profile-Based_Guide\"><\/span><strong>Which Cambridge Scholarship Should You Apply For? A Profile-Based Guide<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scenario 1: Final-year BTech student, CGPA 9.1, targeting a research PhD in Computer Science or Engineering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Primary targets: <\/strong>Gates Cambridge, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Cambridge Scholarship, and Cambridge Trust International funding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Before September 2026: <\/strong>contact a potential Cambridge supervisor. A supervisor who confirms interest in your research area is a material advantage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The selection differentiator at this profile level is your research proposal and your relationship with your supervisor, not your CGPA alone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scenario 2: Class 12 CBSE student, 96% in science, applying for Natural Sciences or Mathematics at UG level<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Full Cambridge scholarships at the undergraduate level are rare. Expect partial, competitive funding through Cambridge Trust UG awards and college bursaries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Also check OCSI scholarships, which are open to Indian UG applicants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plan for the October 2026 UCAS deadline (2027 entry).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scenario 3: Working professional, 4+ years experience, applying for an MPhil or one-year Masters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Gates Cambridge is open to you. Build a strong case around the four selection criteria, particularly social impact and leadership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you have a South India connection, check the Pemanda Monappa Scholarship against your subject area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply for Chevening; it is fully funded and runs on a parallel application track.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tick the funding box in the Cambridge Applicant Portal to be automatically considered for all Trust awards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cambridge_Scholarships_Application_Calendar_2026-27_Planning_for_2027-28_Entry\"><\/span><strong>Cambridge Scholarships Application Calendar: 2026-27 Planning (for 2027-28 Entry)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the 2026-27 application cycle is closed, the timeline below is for students planning <strong>2027-28 entry<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\"><table class=\"has-palette-color-5-background-color has-background has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Month<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Action<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>July 2026<\/td><td>Research your target course and identify 2-3 matching scholarships; for PhD, begin identifying potential supervisors<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>August 2026<\/td><td>Contact potential PhD supervisors; begin SOP and research proposal drafts<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>September 2026<\/td><td>Gates Cambridge 2027-28 cycle opens; Cambridge Applicant Portal opens; OCSI scholarships expected to open<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>October 2026<\/td><td>UCAS deadline for undergraduate applicants (typically 15 October); Gates Cambridge US round deadline<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>November 2026<\/td><td>Finalise all documents; ensure references are briefed and ready to submit; IELTS\/TOEFL scores must be valid<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>December 2026<\/td><td>First PG funding deadline (course-dependent); all references must be submitted by the deadline<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>January 2027<\/td><td>Second PG funding deadline for remaining courses; ensure Financial Undertaking Form is complete<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>March to July 2027<\/td><td>Cambridge Trust awards period; scholarship notifications sent on a rolling basis<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>May 2027<\/td><td>Indian university final exams and Class 12 board results season; keep provisional certificates ready<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_When_Your_Cambridge_Scholarships_Application_Goes_Wrong\"><\/span><strong>What to Do When Your Cambridge Scholarships Application Goes Wrong&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>If you miss the funding deadline:<\/strong> The funding deadline and the application deadline are different. If you submit your course application on time but miss the funding deadline, you will not be considered for university funding that cycle. You cannot apply late. Your only option is to reapply in the next cycle. There is no appeal process for missed funding deadlines.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If your CGPA is just below the competitive threshold:<\/strong> Cambridge Trust part-cost and college-specific awards are less competitive than Gates Cambridge. Apply anyway through the portal. In parallel, look at the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarship and OCSI awards, which have separate applications and may assess financial need alongside academic merit. A strong research proposal or a compelling personal statement can offset a borderline CGPA for some awards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If your Class 12 marksheets or degree certificates are delayed:<\/strong> Cambridge accepts provisional certificates at the offer stage. Your final documents are required before enrollment. Keep a notarized copy of your provisional certificate ready when you submit your application.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If you are rejected from the Gates Cambridge:<\/strong> You can reapply in a future cycle. There is no bar on future applications. Many successful scholars applied more than once. Use the rejection as a signal to strengthen your research proposal, your supervisor relationship, and the social impact narrative in your personal statement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If your UK student visa is delayed:<\/strong> Apply for your visa as early as possible after receiving your offer. Keep the Immigration Health Surcharge payment receipt; this is covered by Gates Cambridge, but you may need to pay it upfront and claim reimbursement. Contact your college&#8217;s international student office if you face complications.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Takeaways_for_Indian_Students_on_Cambridge_Scholarships\"><\/span><strong>3 Takeaways for Indian Students on Cambridge Scholarships&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Identify your level and 2-3 matching scholarships before applying.<\/strong> UG students have limited full-funding options; PG and PhD students have the strongest Cambridge scholarship prospects. Use the Cambridge Trust Scholarship Finder filtered by your level and nationality.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tick the funding box in the Cambridge Applicant Portal.<\/strong> Cambridge Trust scholarships need no separate application. The single most common mistake is submitting a course application and forgetting to indicate funding interest or missing the funding deadline by applying too close to the general application deadline.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India-exclusive awards (Nehru Memorial, OCSI, Pemanda Monappa) are consistently overlooked.<\/strong> If your profile matches, these awards receive fewer applications than Gates Cambridge and deserve serious attention alongside the headline programs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Verified by:<\/em><\/strong><em> LeapScholar&#8217;s UK counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through Cambridge and UK postgraduate applications. Have questions about Cambridge scholarships?<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/webflow_progressive_form\"><em> <\/em><em>Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-2fff29c\" id=\"strong-frequently-asked-questions-about-cambridge-scholarships-for-indian-students-strong\" data-block-id=\"2fff29c\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_About_Cambridge_Scholarships_for_Indian_Students\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions About Cambridge Scholarships for Indian Students<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<ul class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572148862\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What Cambridge scholarships are available specifically for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Several awards are open only to Indians: the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Cambridge Scholarship (PhD, any subject), the Pemanda Monappa Scholarship (Masters, south India connection, specific subjects), the Prathiba M. Singh Scholarship (LLM, IP Law focus), and OCSI awards (all levels). Indian students are also eligible for Gates Cambridge, Cambridge Trust International, Chevening, Commonwealth, and Inlaks scholarships.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572175493\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship fully funded for Indian students?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. For 2025-26, it covers the full University Composition Fee, a maintenance allowance of \u00a321,000 (Rs.2,83,487) per year, one economy return airfare, inbound visa costs, and the Immigration Health Surcharge. PhD scholars receive funding for up to four years.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572190605\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What CGPA do I need for a Cambridge scholarship from India?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>For Gates Cambridge and competitive Cambridge Trust awards, Indian applicants typically need a CGPA of 8.5\/10 or above, or a clear first-class degree (60%+ aggregate from most Indian universities). The Nehru Memorial Scholarship gives preference to candidates with both a first-class bachelor&#8217;s and a first-class Masters.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572205904\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Do I need a separate application for a Cambridge Trust scholarship?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>For most Cambridge Trust awards, no. Tick the funding box when you apply through the Cambridge Applicant Portal. Your application is automatically assessed for all eligible awards. Some partner-funded awards (noted in the scholarship listing) require a separate application to the funding partner.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572220870\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What are the Cambridge scholarship deadlines for 2027-28 entry?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Gates Cambridge 2027-28 cycle opens in September 2026. Indian applicants fall in the international round with deadlines in December 2026 or January 2027, depending on their course. The Gates Cambridge US round deadline is usually in October. Check your specific course deadline in the Cambridge Postgraduate Course Directory.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572235452\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Can Indian students combine a Chevening Scholarship with a Cambridge scholarship?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Chevening and Cambridge Trust awards cannot be combined in most cases, as Chevening is a full-cost scholarship and holders are typically not permitted to hold another major award simultaneously. Check the current Chevening terms before applying. Some partial awards (college bursaries, OCSI) may be stackable; confirm with the individual awarding body.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572249564\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>What happens if I miss the funding deadline for the Cambridge scholarship?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>You will not be considered for university funding in that cycle. The funding deadline is separate from and earlier than the general application deadline. Missing it means waiting for the next annual cycle. There is no late submission option.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572282140\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>Which Cambridge scholarships are open only to Indian nationals?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Cambridge Scholarship, Pemanda Monappa Scholarship, Prathiba M Singh Cambridge Scholarship, and OCSI scholarships are exclusively or primarily for Indian nationals. The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation scholarship is also India-specific.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"faq-question-1780572304855\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h5 class=\"rank-math-question \"><strong>How competitive is the Gates Cambridge Scholarship for Indian PhD applicants?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Gates Cambridge acceptance rate is approximately 0.5% of all applicants globally. Around two-thirds of the 80 annual awards go to PhD students, with 55 available in the international round. Indian PhD applicants with a CGPA of 8.5+, a confirmed supervisor, and a compelling social impact narrative have the strongest profiles. Research-driven fields (sciences, engineering, and development studies) historically see strong Indian representation among successful applicants.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">10<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span> \u26a1 Quick Read Cambridge funds 1,100 to 1,400 scholarship students every year at UG, Masters, and PhD levels. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship covers full tuition plus a \u00a321,000 (Rs.2,83,487 maintenance allowance per year. Indian students qualify for exclusive Cambridge scholarships: Nehru Memorial, Pemanda Monappa, and Prathiba M. Singh. Cambridge Trust: tick the funding box in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":79511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,9],"tags":[679,675,672],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":6}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7382"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/88"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7382"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7382\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79521,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7382\/revisions\/79521"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7382"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7382"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leapscholar.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7382"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}