As an Indian student planning to pursue your master’s abroad, you will be pleased to discover that there is a large list of scholarships for study abroad specifically aimed at you. These scholarship programs come from different providers: government grants, foundations, corporations, private organisations, and universities. Searching through all scholarship programs you are eligible for can be a tedious task. In this article we have put together a list of the top ten Indian student scholarships which can help you finance your overseas education to the greatest extent.
A scholarship is the most common form of funding availed by Indian students going abroad. Usually, scholarships are merit-based. A scholarship can cover tuition partly or wholly. Some cover the cost of living, but by no means is that common. According to the Fulbright Commission, over 600 American universities offer scholarships of $20,000 or more to international students.
Top 10 Master’s Scholarships for Indian Students 2026 – At a Glance
| Scholarship | Offered By | Destination | Coverage | Fully Funded? |
| National Overseas Scholarship Scheme | Government of India | Any country; selected universities | Full tuition + living costs + medical insurance + air passage | Yes – fully funded |
| Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship | Commonwealth member governments | UK and other Commonwealth countries | Fully funded (varies by awarding country) | Yes – fully funded |
| Inlaks Foundation Scholarship | Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation (established 1976) | USA, UK, and Europe (top institutions only) | Up to USD 120,000 (tuition + living + one-way travel + visa + health) | Effectively fully funded up to $120K |
| Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowship | US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) | USA | Tuition + living costs + airfare + health insurance + professional development | Yes – fully funded |
| Chevening Scholarships | UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) | UK | Full tuition + monthly stipend + return airfare + visa fees + arrival allowance | Yes – fully funded |
| Rhodes Scholarship | Rhodes Trust (established 1903) | University of Oxford, UK | Full tuition + college fees + living allowance; established 1903 | Yes – fully funded |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Aga Khan Foundation | USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and others | Partial grant + loan; covers 50% grant and 50% loan | Partial (50% grant + 50% soft loan) |
| DAAD Scholarships (Germany) | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) | Germany | Monthly stipend + one-time grants; varies by program | Yes for research/doctoral; partial for Master |
| Australia Awards Scholarships | Australian Government (DFAT) | Australia | Full tuition + return airfare + establishment allowance + health cover + living costs | Yes – fully funded |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees | European Union (EU) | Multiple EU countries (joint programs) | Full scholarship covering tuition + travel + installation + living allowance | Yes – fully funded |
This list covers scholarships from government, foundation, and international organisation sources. Most of these scholarships are fully funded – meaning they cover tuition, living costs, and travel expenses. However, the eligibility criteria and application processes vary significantly. Always verify current scholarship details at the official scholarship website before applying.
1. National Overseas Scholarship Scheme (Government of India)
The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme is a Government of India run scholarship for study abroad which helps low-income Indian students pursue a higher educational degree overseas.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | Government of India (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) |
| Expenses covered | Full tuition, living costs, medical insurance, and air passage |
| Eligible categories | SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), OBC (Other Backward Classes), Persons with Disabilities, and certain other reserved categories |
| Degree levels | Master’s degree and PhD programs |
| Age limit | Applicant must be below 45 years of age |
| Academic requirement | Minimum 60% in last qualifying examination; recognized bachelor’s degree |
| Income limit | Family income limit specified by government (varies by category); low-income families prioritised |
| Residency requirement | Open to students who are just beginning the second year of a two-year postgraduate course |
| Apply at | scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal) |
2. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. Through this program, an Indian student can pursue a fully funded master’s or doctoral program at a university in the UK or other Commonwealth nation.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC); funded by UK Government for UK placements |
| Destination | Primarily UK; also available through other Commonwealth member governments |
| Coverage | Fully funded: tuition + living stipend + return airfare + additional grants |
| Degree levels | Master’s and doctoral programs |
| Fields covered | Wide range; varies by awarding country and specific program |
| Eligibility | Indian citizen; strong academic record; leadership and commitment to development |
| Apply at | cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk for UK-placed Commonwealth Scholarships |
3. Inlaks Foundation Scholarship
The Inlaks Foundation Scholarship is a prestigious study grant awarded to promising young Indian students looking to pursue their higher education abroad. It sponsors master’s degrees, MPhil, doctoral degrees, and research in North America and Europe.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation (established 1976) |
| Coverage | Up to USD 120,000 (approximately Rs 1 crore): tuition + living expenses + one-way travel + visa costs + health allowance |
| Destination | USA, UK, and Europe – top institutions only |
| Fields covered | Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics |
| Excluded fields | MBA/Management, Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Fashion Design, and Engineering – except engineering or natural science courses at Imperial College London |
| Degree levels | Master’s, MPhil, PhD, and research |
| Age limit | Under 30 years at time of application |
| Academic requirement | Students who excel in their fields of choice; talented and meritorious with good academic track record |
| Extracurricular | Applicants involved in extracurricular activities have an edge |
| Work experience | Two years of professional work experience is preferred; applicants with work experience have higher probability |
| Residency requirement | Indian students must prove they have been staying in India for at least 6 months before submitting application |
| Self-sponsorship note | Applicants who want to study in the USA must prove they can self-sponsor for courses that cost more than $100,000 |
| Apply at | inlaksfoundation.org |
4. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships are given to talented Indian students who want to undertake master’s degree studies in the USA. These fellowships are designed for awardees who exhibit leadership capability, academic achievement, and social impact. This is only for highly meritorious students who want to study in the USA.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | US-India Educational Foundation (USIEF); US government program |
| Destination | USA |
| Coverage | Full tuition + living costs + airfare + health insurance coverage + professional development opportunities |
| Fields covered | Multiple fields including Art and Culture Management, International Affairs, Public Administration, and more; specific fields announced annually |
| Academic requirement | Completed bachelor’s from a prestigious university; high scores in qualifying and language proficiency examinations |
| Work experience | Students with 2-3 years of work experience have a higher probability of securing this fellowship |
| Selection criteria | Leadership capability, academic achievement, social impact; merit-based only; race, ethnicity, and religion are not taken into consideration |
| Leadership requirement | Students should be motivated and have great leadership capabilities |
| Apply at | usief.org/FellowshipsGrants/Fellowships.aspx |
Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students
5. Chevening Scholarships (UK Government)
The Chevening Scholarship is provided by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It is one of the most prestigious and well-known scholarships for Indian students to study in the UK.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office – FCDO) |
| Destination | UK universities |
| Coverage | Fully funded: full tuition + monthly living stipend + return economy airfare + visa application fee + pre-departure allowance |
| Degree levels | One-year master’s programs (most Chevening scholars pursue 1-year UK master’s) |
| Academic requirement | Bachelor’s degree with at least 55% marks; strong academic record |
| Work experience | At least 3 years of full-time work experience (paid employment) at time of application |
| Leadership requirement | Demonstrated leadership potential; commitment to creating positive change in home country |
| Eligible fields | Most fields eligible; check chevening.org for annual announcement |
| Application timing | Typically opens August; deadline November; results announced April-June |
| Apply at | chevening.org/scholarships/scholarship/india |
6. Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford)
The Rhodes Scholarship, established in 1903, helps outstanding international students pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. It is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | Rhodes Trust (established 1903) |
| Destination | University of Oxford, UK only |
| Coverage | Fully funded: full tuition and college fees + living allowance (stipend) + health allowance; one of the most generous fully-funded scholarships globally |
| Degree levels | Postgraduate programs at Oxford (master’s, DPhil, other graduate degrees) |
| Age limit | 18-24 years for most countries (check rhodes.ox.ac.uk for India-specific age range) |
| Academic requirement | Outstanding academic achievement; among the most academically rigorous scholarships in the world |
| Selection criteria | Exceptional academic record + physical vigour and sports + leadership + dedication to service; holistic selection |
| Duration | Typically 2 years (extendable) |
| Apply at | rhodes.ox.ac.uk – annual application cycle; highly competitive; exceptional candidates only |
7. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship
The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship provides partial grants alongside soft loans to talented Indian students pursuing master’s degrees abroad. Unlike the other scholarships on this list, it is not fully funded – it covers approximately 50% as a grant and 50% as a soft (low-interest) loan.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | Aga Khan Foundation |
| Destination | USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and other select countries |
| Coverage | Partial: approximately 50% grant + 50% soft loan; covers tuition and living expenses combined |
| Fields covered | Development-relevant fields; social sciences, environmental studies, public health; check akdn.org for annual list |
| Academic requirement | Strong academic record; demonstrated commitment to development causes |
| Community focus | Generally for students from communities served by Aga Khan Development Network; verifiable community involvement |
| Apply at | akdn.org/aga-khan-foundation/scholarships |
8. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a range of scholarships for Indian students wishing to study in Germany. Germany is an attractive destination because public universities offer near-zero tuition for all students, including internationals – making DAAD scholarships cover primarily living costs and travel rather than tuition.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst / German Academic Exchange Service) |
| Destination | Germany |
| Coverage | Monthly stipend (varies by program: EUR 934 for master’s, EUR 1,200 for doctoral); one-time grants for travel and health insurance; some programs cover tuition if applicable |
| Key programs for Indian students | DAAD Scholarship for development-related postgraduate courses; DAAD Research Grants; DAAD EPOS (for environmental/sustainability programs) |
| Degree levels | Master’s and doctoral (PhD) |
| Language requirement | German proficiency (B1-B2) beneficial but many English-taught programs available |
| Fields emphasised | Engineering, natural sciences, sustainability, development studies |
| Apply at | daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships |
9. Australia Awards Scholarships
Australia Awards Scholarships are fully funded scholarships funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). They provide opportunities for people from developing countries, including India, to study at Australian universities.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | Australian Government (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – DFAT) |
| Destination | Australian universities |
| Coverage | Fully funded: full tuition + return economy airfare + Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) + establishment allowance + living costs stipend + supplementary academic support |
| Degree levels | Undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs |
| Focus areas | Development-relevant fields; agriculture, governance, infrastructure, health, education; aligned with Australian development priorities |
| Eligibility | Indian citizen; not holding Australian citizenship or permanent residency; commitment to returning to India after studies |
| Service obligation | Recipients expected to return to India after completing their award and contribute to development |
| Apply at | dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards or australiaawardsscholarships.gov.au |
10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees are prestigious programs funded by the European Union that allow students to study at multiple European universities and receive a fully funded scholarship. These are highly competitive and academically rigorous programs.
| Detail | Information |
| Offered by | European Union (EU) – Erasmus+ Program |
| Destination | Multiple EU countries; each program runs across 2-3 partner universities in different European countries |
| Coverage | Fully funded: full tuition + EU contribution to travel/installation costs + monthly living allowance |
| Degree levels | Master’s programs (60-120 ECTS credits; 1-2 years) |
| Fields covered | Wide range; data science, environmental studies, engineering, humanities, business; varies by specific Erasmus Mundus program |
| Academic requirement | Strong academic record; typically 3.5+/4.0 GPA or equivalent |
| Program example | Erasmus Mundus in Data Science; Erasmus Mundus in Environmental Sciences; check eacea.ec.europa.eu for current programs |
| Apply at | eacea.ec.europa.eu/scholarships/erasmus-mundus-catalogue_en |
Tips for Applying to Master’s Scholarships as an Indian Student
- Start early: most fully-funded scholarships have deadlines 9-12 months before the study start date. Chevening opens August for January applications; Fulbright opens May for the following fall. Missing the deadline by even a day means waiting another full year.
- Match your profile to the scholarship: each scholarship has a specific profile it is looking for. Fulbright wants leaders with social impact; Inlaks wants academic excellence in humanities/social sciences/law; Rhodes wants all-rounders with sports and service. Apply to scholarships where your profile genuinely fits.
- Treat every essay as a separate pitch: do not copy-paste your SOP into scholarship essays. Each scholarship asks different questions; answer each specifically and authentically.
- Build leadership and community service evidence before applying: most competitive scholarships (Chevening, Fulbright, Rhodes) require documented leadership. If you have not already, get involved in social impact projects, NGOs, or campus leadership before applying.
- Get strong recommendation letters: scholarships are competitive; your recommenders need to speak directly to the scholarship’s stated values – leadership, academic excellence, community impact. Brief your recommenders on the scholarship criteria.
- Apply to multiple scholarships: there is no reason to apply to only one. Many are not mutually exclusive (you cannot hold Chevening and Fulbright simultaneously, but you can apply to both and decide if you receive both). Apply to everything you are eligible for.
- SelectRight by GradRight can show you the scholarships you are eligible for based on your academic profile – so you do not miss any opportunities. Visit gradright.com/selection/ to start.
Also Read: Education Financing for Masters Abroad: Everything from Scholarships to Grants
SelectRight is a data-driven platform which provides personalised universities and scholarships for your master’s. Sign up today and compare your options – including the list of scholarships you may be eligible for. Find Your Scholarships on GradRight
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