Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme
Edit ScholarshipThe ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme funds UG, PG, PhD and specialised courses (Hindi, Buddhist studies) in India for foreign nationals under bilateral exchange programmes. It is a full ride: tuition, monthly stipend, accommodation/HRA, contingency and medical benefits.
Overview
The ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme is the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) track for students nominated under bilateral exchange agreements. India signs Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEP) and Educational Exchange Programmes (EEP) with partner countries, and each agreement sets aside a number of scholarship slots. If your country has a valid CEP or EEP with India and your government nominates you, this scheme funds your study in India on the Government of India's standard fully funded terms.
The scheme spans undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, and it also covers specialised programmes that some agreements reserve, such as a one-year Hindi certificate course or Buddhist studies, depending on the country. Because the slots flow from intergovernmental agreements, the route into this scheme is different from open-application schemes: your own government's nominating authority is central to the process, and ICCR places you once the nomination reaches New Delhi.
This structure makes the Radhakrishnan scheme a steady, government-to-government channel rather than a first-come competition. The number of places available in any year is fixed by the relevant CEP or EEP, so availability for your country depends on the active agreement. The sections below explain how eligibility works, what the financial package includes and how to move through nomination and placement.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India |
| Host Country | India |
| Degree Levels | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD (plus specialised courses such as Hindi or Buddhist studies under some agreements) |
| Value | Full tuition plus monthly stipend, accommodation/house rent allowance, contingency grant and medical benefits on the standard ICCR scale |
| Deadline | Annual nominations through partner-country governments under valid CEP/EEP agreements, processed via the ICCR A2A portal |
| Eligible Nationalities | Nationals of countries with a valid Cultural or Educational Exchange Programme with India |
| Official Website | https://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/ |
Eligibility Criteria
Country and nomination
Your country must have a valid Cultural Exchange Programme or Educational Exchange Programme in force with India, and you must be nominated by your government's designated authority. Without that nomination you cannot be considered under this scheme, even if you meet every academic condition. Check with your Ministry of Education or the equivalent body to find out whether slots are open for your country in the current cycle.
Academic background
You need the qualification that precedes your intended course: secondary results for an undergraduate place, a relevant Bachelor's for a Master's, and a relevant Master's for a PhD. ICCR expects a sound academic record, so present complete transcripts and certificates.
Age and language
Standard ICCR age limits apply and vary by study level. Most courses are taught in English, so you should be able to study in English; specialised courses such as the Hindi certificate carry their own language expectations. Confirm the exact age band and any language condition for your cycle on the A2A portal.
Health
You must be medically fit and able to supply a fitness certificate before travelling to India.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition and compulsory fees at your assigned Indian institution
- A monthly stipend on the standard ICCR scale, set by study level
- House rent allowance or hostel accommodation support at city-band rates
- An annual contingency grant for books and essential academic expenses
- Medical benefits for ordinary treatment during your studies
- A thesis or dissertation allowance for research scholars, where applicable
Payments are routed to an Indian bank account through the Government of India's direct transfer system. Rates are revised from time to time, so verify the current figures in the financial terms notification on the A2A portal. Some benefits, such as international airfare, depend on the terms of the specific CEP or EEP, so check what your agreement provides.
How to Apply
- Confirm your country's slots. Contact your government's nominating authority to check whether CEP/EEP slots are open for the year.
- Register on the A2A portal. Create an account on the ICCR A2A portal and begin an application under the Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange scheme.
- Choose courses and universities. List your preferred fields and institutions, including any specialised course your agreement covers.
- Complete and upload. Fill in the form accurately and attach every required document in the specified format.
- Secure your government nomination. Your nominating authority endorses and forwards your application to ICCR; without this step the application does not proceed.
- Submit within the window. Finalise before the cycle closes, since late nominations are not processed.
- Await placement. ICCR reviews nominations, places selected students at universities and issues offer and admission letters. Complete visa and pre-departure formalities once you accept.
Required Documents
- A valid passport (bio-data page)
- Academic transcripts and certificates for all completed levels
- A recent passport-size photograph meeting portal specifications
- A medical fitness certificate
- A statement of purpose or list of study preferences
- A research proposal or synopsis (for PhD applicants)
- Letters of recommendation, where required for the course or level
- An English-language certificate, if requested
- Your government's nomination or endorsement, where issued separately
Key Dates & Deadlines
Nominations run on an annual cycle aligned with the Indian academic year that starts around July or August. Each partner country's nominating authority sets its own internal cutoff for forwarding names to ICCR, and that cutoff usually falls earlier than the broad portal window. Because the timeline is driven by your government as well as ICCR, ask your nominating authority for its deadline as early as possible and track the A2A portal in parallel.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Engage your country's nominating authority early, since their timeline drives yours
- Confirm whether your CEP/EEP covers the specific course you want
- Keep details consistent across your passport, certificates and form
- Pick a realistic spread of university and course preferences
- For research applicants, submit a clear and feasible proposal
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming you can apply without a government nomination
- Missing your nominating authority's internal cutoff
- Applying for a specialised course your agreement does not cover
- Submitting incomplete or low-quality document scans
- Mismatched names or dates between your records and the form
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme?
Nationals of countries that have a valid Cultural or Educational Exchange Programme with India, who are nominated by their own government and meet ICCR's academic, age and health requirements.
Do I need a government nomination for the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme?
Yes. Slots flow from bilateral agreements, so your government's nominating authority must endorse and forward your application to ICCR.
Which degree levels does the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme cover?
Bachelor's, Master's and PhD courses, plus specialised programmes such as a Hindi certificate or Buddhist studies under some agreements.
Is the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme fully funded?
Yes. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, accommodation support, a contingency grant and medical benefits on the standard ICCR scale.
How do I apply for the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme?
Register on the ICCR A2A portal, complete the application, and have it nominated by your government's designated authority within the annual cycle.
How do I know if my country qualifies for the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme?
Check with your Ministry of Education or equivalent nominating authority whether a valid CEP or EEP with India is in force and whether slots are open this year.
Does the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme pay a stipend?
Yes. It pays a monthly stipend set by study level, on the standard ICCR scale. Confirm current figures in the financial terms notification on the A2A portal.
Can I study Hindi under the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme?
Some agreements reserve specialised courses such as a one-year Hindi certificate. Whether this is open to you depends on your country's specific CEP or EEP.
Where will I be placed under the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme?
ICCR assigns you to a recognised Indian university based on your preferences, field and merit. First-choice placement is not guaranteed.
Does the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme cover airfare?
Airfare and certain other benefits depend on the terms of your specific CEP or EEP, so check what your agreement provides.
What is the deadline for the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme?
Nominations follow an annual cycle ahead of the Indian academic year. Your nominating authority sets an internal cutoff that is usually earlier than the portal window, so ask them early.
Does the ICCR Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship Scheme include medical cover?
Yes. Ordinary medical treatment is covered during your course on the standard ICCR terms.