Indian Government ICCR Scholarship Schemes for International Students Worldwide

ICCR Scholarships:
Many Other Schemes


Course(s) Offered: All available
Course Level: Undergraduate (bachelors), Postgraduate (masters, PhD, research, postdoctoral)
Provider: ICCR (Indian Government)
Country to Study in: India

Scholarship Description
The Government of India, through its Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), offers 13 different scholarship schemes for students from across the world. At least 2554 students from not less than 80 countries are in India under these schemes.

The scholarships cover students in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes as well as in several professional courses. They include the General Scholarships (formerly General Cultural Scholarship Scheme GCSS), Africa Scholarships, ICCR Scholarship Scheme (to learn Indian music, dance, painting, etc), Scholarship Schemes for Bangladesh, Scholarships for Sri Lanka, SAARC Scholarship Scheme, Commonwealth Scholarship Fellowship Plan, Special Scholarships for Afghanistan and many others.

Amongst the 13 scholarship schemes administered by the ICCR, the most popular are the Special Scholarships for Afghanistan (1000 awards), the Africa Scholarships (900 awards) and the General Scholarships (499 awards).

Eligibility
The various scholarship schemes are offered to different sets of nationals. Most of these are developing countries in Asia, Africa, South and Central America. However, there are quite a few developed countries as well. You must ensure you are applying for the correct scholarship scheme for your region or country. (Eg the General Scholarships are for selected countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America; while the Africa Scholarships is for Africans only.)

GENERAL INSTRUCTION TO APPLICANTS
  1. Candidate should be clear on the course and University to which he/she is seeking admission. ICCR would not be able to entertain any subsequent change in course of study or University once admission of a scholar is confirmed and the scholar has arrived to join the course.
  2. Certified copies of all non-English documents should be accompanied with English translations.
  3. Candidates must have adequate knowledge of English.
  4. ICCR will not entertain applications which are sent to ICCR directly by the students or which are sent by local Embassies/High Commissions in New Delhi.
  5. Priority will be given to students who have never studied in India before.
  6. No application will be accepted for admission to courses in MBBS/MD or Dentistry/Nursing.
  7. Candidates may note that Indian universities/educational institution are autonomous and independent and hence have their own eligibility criteria. Forwarding of application is thus not a guarantee of admission. A scholarship is awarded only when admission is confirmed by ICCR.
  8. Student must carry a proper visa. Students should ensure that they get the correct visa from the Indian Embassy/High Commission. Government of India guideline stipulate that if a scholar arrives without proper visa and his/her actual admission at the University/Institute does not materialize, he/she will be deported to his/her country
For the complete set of eligibility criteria, please carefully go through the guidelines/instructions document for candidates found on the official website

Eligible groups
Citizens of several countries

Participating Institutions
All approved Indian universities/educational institutions. See the University Grants Commission of India for the list of Recognized Central, State, Deemed and Private Universities and Recognised Colleges

Fields of study
Any field of study available at approved Indian institutions. The students are in graduate, post graduate and doctoral programmes as well as in professional courses such as engineering, pharmacy, accountancy, business administration and management. Scholarships are also given for learning Indian dance, music, painting, sculpture, etc.

No application will be accepted for admission into courses in MBBS/MD or Dentistry/Nursing.

Number of awards
The ICCR offers at least 2554 scholarships under 13 scholarship schemes. Of these scholarships, 1000 are exclusively for Afghanistan and 900 for African countries. There are students in India under these schemes from about 80 countries. More than 3550 foreign students are currently studying in India under the various scholarship schemes.

Scholarship benefits
ICCR offers the following facilities to the scholars:
  • Living allowance (stipend)
  • Contingent Grant
  • Tuition Fees
  • House rent allowance (if necessary)
  • Thesis and dissertation charges
  • Medical benefits
  • Study Tour Expenses
Method of Application
Offers of scholarships are sent to the respective Governments through the Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Nominations received thereafter from the respective governments by the Indian diplomatic missions are forwarded to the ICCR for final selection and placement.

Direct applications from candidates are not considered by ICCR. International government nominees have to fill in the prescribed forms for Scholarships for Foreign Nationals that are available with Indian missions abroad. While filling in the forms, the candidate must specify the course he/she wishes to pursue such as i) certificate/diploma ii) undergraduate degree iii) postgraduate degree iv) doctoral research work. Candidates are also advised to consult the Handbook of Indian Universities, available with the Indian missions abroad, to ensure the availability of their choice of courses in India.

The application forms should include the required number of copies of educational certificates along with three copies of passport-size photographs. In some cases, a No-objection certificate from the candidate’s employer or place of work is also required. All the applicants are required to undergo an English Proficiency Test conducted by the Indian missions abroad.

DEADLINES:
Application deadlines vary by Country, but all applications should be submitted by 28th February 2012. Please see the official website for your specific country deadline.

PLEASE NOTE:
The ICCR administers its own scholarship schemes apart from which it also functions as an agency for other schemes on behalf of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Finance of the Government of India.

As a protective measure, those planning to study in India are strongly advised to get vaccinated against typhoid / cholera before coming to India.

For further queries and/or information, please see the list of India Embassies by Countries

Application Date: 28 February 2012
Open to International students: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: Scholarships in India for International Students

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