Scholarships for Indian Students

As the world becomes more interconnected, the desire among Indian students to pursue higher education abroad has grown significantly. However, the cost of studying abroad can be a significant barrier for many. However, there are numerous study abroad scholarships for Indian students available to support students in realizing their dreams of studying abroad to alleviate this financial burden.

 In this blog, we’ll explore some prominent scholarships, focusing on the prestigious J.N. Tata Endowment and the K.C. Mahindra Scholarships, among others.

1. J.N. Tata Endowment:

The J.N. Tata Endowment for the Higher Education of Indians is one of India’s oldest and most esteemed study-abroad scholarships for Indian students. Established by the visionary industrialist Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in 1892, the endowment aims to provide financial assistance to Indian students.  For pursuing higher education abroad.

• Eligibility Criteria – Applicants for the J.N. Tata Endowment must be Indian citizens under 45 years old as of June 30, 2024. Holding a recognized Indian university degree with a minimum of 60% average marks in undergraduate or postgraduate studies. Only graduates from recognized Indian universities are eligible. 

Those previously unselected or unable to utilize the loan scholarship can reapply. Students in the final year, awaiting results, and pursuing postgraduate studies abroad can apply, updating their status upon securing admission. Fully repaid J.N. Tata scholars can also reapply. However, candidates attending overseas events, pursuing distance/online education, or planning studies in India are ineligible. Additionally, those pursuing at least one year of diplomas with an entry-level requirement higher than the secondary level cannot apply.

• Application Process – The application period for J.N. Tata Endowment’s Loan Scholarships is from January 11 to March 15, 2024. Get access through www.jntataendowment.org. Applicants need to create a unique login using their email ID and can complete the form online across one or multiple visits. It’s essential to save the draft before exiting, as the form is not downloadable. 

Candidates can apply without confirmed admission but must update the status once secured by emailing jnte@tatatrusts.org with the reference number. The application process involves four phases: Application Submission, Online Test, Interview with Subject Expert, and Final Selection.

 Applicants can update the application format later by emailing the reference number to jnte@tatatrusts.org. Required documents include a photo, Aadhar Card, passport, academic transcripts, and additional documents like work experience certificates, appointment letters, and the latest ITR/3 months’ pay slips for working professionals. Stay informed about the status after each program phase through the website.

• Range of courses covered by the scholarship – Biology, Computer Science, Counselling, Design, Economics, Education, Engineering, Environment, Health & Healthcare, Humanities, Mathematics, Media & Technology, Medical, Miscellaneous, Neuroscience, Operations Research, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutics, Physics, Psychology, Public Administration, Pure Sciences, Security & Intelligence.
• Notable Alums who have benefited from the J.N. Tata Endowment – The illustrious roster of J.N. Tata Scholars includes trailblazers such as Dr. Freany K. Cama, the inaugural scholar who pursued gynecology and midwifery in Edinburgh and Dublin. Among the accomplished alums are Mr. K. R. Narayanan, a former President of India, and Mr. Rahul Mehrotra, a renowned architect. The list further boasts luminaries like Dr. Jayant V. Narlikar, the distinguished astrophysicist renowned for the Hoyle-Narlikar theory, and Dr. Jamshed J. Irani, contributing to the legacy of excellence fostered by the J.N. Tata Endowment.

2. K.C. Mahindra Scholarships:

The K.C. Mahindra Education Trust offers the best scholarships to study abroad to bright and meritorious students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies abroad in various fields.

• Eligibility Criteria – To qualify for the scholarship, candidates must be Indian citizens and hold a First-Class degree or an equivalent diploma from a recognized university. They should have obtained admission or applied to reputable foreign universities for courses starting in August 2024 but no later than February 2025. 

Even final-year students are eligible, provided they submit their final-year mark sheet or provisional certificate by the end of June, confirming their first-class status. Notably, applications are accepted even without confirmed admission, but candidates must update their status once admission is secured. This flexibility adds to the accessibility of the scholarship, encouraging aspiring students to pursue opportunities abroad.

• Application Process – Applications are now open for the academic year 2024, inviting eligible candidates to apply for this scholarship opportunity. However, certain criteria exclude students pursuing undergraduate studies or participating in seminars and conferences. The application deadline is set for March 31, 2024. Shortlisted candidates can expect communication by June via email. The application process requires submission of various documents, including a Letter of Recommendation (LoR) on official letterhead or through a provided portal link, admission letters (or a document confirming application status), a Statement of Purpose (SOP) detailing the candidate’s interests and ambitions, and relevant scores for GRE/GMAT and IELTS/TOEFL where applicable. 

Additionally, applicants must provide evidence of course and degree certificates, rank certificates if applicable, 10th and 12th-grade mark sheets, a copy of the passport, and their latest curriculum vitae (C.V). It’s emphasized that scanned copies of original documents uploaded on the portal do not require self-attestation. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to review the complete list of required documents on the application portal and ensure their readiness before initiating the application process.

3. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP):

India is a proud participant in the CSFP, a unique international program. Which offers study abroad scholarships for Indian students and fellowships to Commonwealth citizens, including Indians, for pursuing advanced studies in other member countries.

• Eligibility and Further Processes –  The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) is crucial in supporting over 800 awards annually, funded by various entities, including the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. These awards cater to developing and developed Commonwealth countries in collaboration with UK universities. 

The CSC administers seven distinct types of awards, ranging from PhD research and Master’s study scholarships to shared scholarships supporting Master’s programs at UK universities. Academic fellowships, split-site scholarships for PhD students, professional fellowships for mid-career professionals in developing countries, and distance learning scholarships for developing country students pursuing UK Master’s degrees in their home countries are also provided. The eligibility criteria and application procedures for each award type are available on the CSC’s website, offering a comprehensive resource for prospective applicants seeking diverse educational opportunities.

• Inlaks Scholarships:

Inlaks Foundation is a study abroad scholarship for Indian students for postgraduate studies in top universities worldwide.

• Eligibility Criteria – The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship is available for Indian passport holders in India born after January 1, 1994. Who possess a degree from a recognized Indian university. Essential criteria include a good undergraduate degree from a recognized foreign university, with a minimum of two years’ continuous residence, employment, or study in India post-graduation.

 Specific academic grade requirements apply to different fields, and prior admission to the chosen institution and course is mandatory. If a conditional part of the offer, English language certification must be obtained before applying. Postgraduate qualification holders and those currently studying abroad are ineligible. 

The scholarship, offering a maximum of USD 100,000, requires candidates to cover additional costs beyond this limit and report any extra funding sources. Joint scholarships with specific institutions may surpass the USD 100,000 limit. Proposed courses must not necessitate field trips to India during the study tenure, and the scholarship is forfeited if not commenced within nine months of the award.

• Application Process – The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship application period for the academic year 2024-25 is scheduled from February 6 to March 22, 2024, closing at 12:00 pm. Notably, it’s a one-time online submission with no option to save. Candidates are allowed only one submission, and incomplete applications will not be considered. The application encompasses seven sections, covering personal information, proposed program details, education, work experience/projects, a statement of purpose, two references, and a declaration. Mandatory documents, to be submitted in PDF format, include a passport, resume, photo, admission/offer letter, fee statement, proof of additional funding, degree certificates and mark sheets, and course-related portfolio/links/writing samples. Eligible candidates must hold a valid offer for the academic year 2024-25. For technical support, individuals can reach out to techsupport@inlaksfoundation.org, while general queries can be directed to applications@inlaksfoundation.org. Prospective applicants are urged to adhere to the specified timeline and guidelines for a successful submission.
• Range of courses covered by the scholarship – The Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship is a Foreign scholarship for Indian students. That encompasses a broad spectrum of subjects, with specific exclusions including Business and Finance, Computer Science, Engineering (except for Imperial College, London), Fashion Design, Film and Film Animation (considered for Documentary filmmaking), Hospitality and Tourism, Indian Studies without Contemporary Relevance, Management Studies (MBA), Medicine, Dentistry, and related therapies, Music (considered for Western Classical singing), and Public Health. Applicants pursuing studies in these fields are not eligible for the scholarship. Prospective candidates should consider these exclusions while applying and ensure their chosen field meets the scholarship’s specified criteria.

4. Chevening Scholarships:

Funded by the U.K. government, Chevening Scholarships aims to empower outstanding individuals worldwide, including India, to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the U.K. which comes in the name of the best study abroad scholarships for Indian students

• Eligibility Criteria – Chevening Scholarships have specific eligibility criteria for applicants, including being citizens of a Chevening-eligible country or territory, committing to return to their home country for at least two years after the scholarship concludes, having completed all components of an undergraduate degree enabling entry onto a UK postgraduate program, possessing a minimum of two years (equivalent to 2,800 hours) of work experience, and applying to three different eligible UK university courses with an unconditional offer from one by the specified deadline. Additionally, individuals with British or dual British citizenship, unless citizens of a British Overseas Territory or holding BN(O) status applying from Hong Kong, are ineligible. The same applies to those with refugee status in a non-Chevening eligible country, except for citizens of eligible countries holding refugee status in an eligible country. Prospective applicants should also note that certain employment or familial connections with specific government entities, the British Council, sponsoring UK universities, or Chevening Partner organizations within the last two years render them ineligible. Previous study in the UK with funding from a UK Government-funded scholarship is also a disqualifying factor. However, having a master’s degree does not prevent applicants from applying for a Chevening Award for a second master’s degree, provided they demonstrate its alignment with their career plan for positive change in their home country.
• Application Process – Applications for the 2024-2025 Chevening Scholarships have concluded. As the UK government’s prestigious international scholarships program, Chevening offers fully funded Master’s degree courses in the UK. Required documentation encompasses education records, references, and an unconditional offer from a UK university. Applicants are advised to adhere to deadlines specified in the Chevening application timeline. Selection updates and timelines are disseminated through email and the online application system, providing valuable information about the application status at each stage of the selection process. Eligible candidates who are conditionally selected must promptly submit the necessary documents to progress in the scholarship application process. Prospective Chevening Scholars are encouraged to stay vigilant for communication updates and adhere to the outlined procedures for a smooth and successful application journey.

As the global landscape of education evolves, one of the study abroad scholarships for Indian students. And plays a pivotal role in making international education accessible to talented Indian students. The J.N. Tata Endowment, K.C. Mahindra Scholarships, and other programs mentioned in this blog are not just financial aid.  But also gateways to transformative experiences. By actively seeking and applying for these opportunities, Indian students can turn their aspirations of studying abroad into a reality and contribute to the growth and diversity of global knowledge communities.