Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme (Sri Lanka)
Edit ScholarshipICCR scheme reserved for Sri Lankan nationals to pursue UG, PG and PhD studies in India under the Government of India's standard fully-funded scholarship terms.
Overview
The ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme is a fully funded study opportunity that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) reserves for Sri Lankan nationals. If you hold Sri Lankan citizenship and want to complete a degree at an Indian university, this scheme covers your studies under the Government of India's standard scholarship terms. It runs across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels, so you can use it for a Bachelor's, a Master's or a PhD in most regular academic disciplines.
ICCR administers dozens of scholarship schemes through its Admission to Alumni (A2A) portal, and the Nehru Memorial scheme is the country-specific track for Sri Lanka. Nominations and processing run through the High Commission of India in Colombo, which acts as your local point of contact. The aim is straightforward: build long-term educational and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka by bringing Sri Lankan students into Indian higher education on terms that remove the cost barrier.
Because this is a government scheme, the financial package, the application route and the placement process are standardised. You apply online, you are nominated through the High Commission, and once selected ICCR places you at a recognised Indian institution based on your chosen field and merit. The sections below walk you through who qualifies, what you get and how to put together an application that gets taken seriously.
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 |
| Value | Full tuition plus monthly stipend, accommodation/house rent allowance, contingency grant and medical cover on the standard ICCR scale |
| Deadline | Annual application window through the High Commission of India in Colombo and the ICCR A2A portal |
| Eligible Nationalities | Sri Lanka |
| Official Website | https://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/ |
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
You must be a Sri Lankan national. This scheme is closed to other nationalities, and applicants of Indian origin holding Sri Lankan passports should check their specific status with the High Commission, since some ICCR schemes treat PIO/OCI categories differently.
Academic background
You need to have completed the level of education that precedes the course you are applying for. For an undergraduate place you need your secondary qualifications; for a Master's you need a relevant Bachelor's; for a PhD you need a relevant Master's. ICCR sets minimum marks expectations, so present your strongest academic record and make sure your transcripts are complete.
Age and language
ICCR applies standard age limits that vary by study level, and applicants must meet them as of the cutoff date in the application cycle. The medium of instruction for most Indian university courses is English, so you should be comfortable studying in English. Where a course is taught in another language, ICCR may require proof of proficiency. Check the exact age band and any language condition on the A2A portal for the year you apply, since these are the details that change between cycles.
Health
You must be in good health and able to provide a medical fitness certificate. Selected candidates are expected to be fit to travel to and study in India.
What the Scholarship Covers
- Full tuition and compulsory institutional fees at your assigned Indian university
- A monthly living stipend on the standard ICCR scale, which rises with study level (undergraduate, postgraduate, then M.Phil/PhD)
- House rent allowance or hostel accommodation support, paid at city-band rates
- An annual contingency grant toward books, study materials and essential academic costs
- Medical cover for ordinary treatment through the institution's facilities or a designated scheme
- A thesis or dissertation allowance for research students, where applicable
Stipend payments are made directly to a bank account you open in India, through the Government of India's direct benefit transfer system. Exact figures are revised periodically, so confirm the current rates in the financial terms notification on the A2A portal.
How to Apply
- Register on the A2A portal. Create an account at the ICCR A2A scholarship portal and start a new application for the relevant academic year.
- Select the scheme and courses. Choose the Nehru Memorial track for Sri Lanka and list your preferred fields of study and universities in order of preference.
- Complete the online form. Fill in your personal, academic and contact details accurately, matching your passport and certificates exactly.
- Upload your documents. Attach scanned copies of every required document in the formats the portal specifies.
- Submit before the deadline. Finalise and submit within the annual window. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
- Go through the High Commission. The High Commission of India in Colombo screens and forwards nominations to ICCR in New Delhi.
- Wait for placement and offer. ICCR reviews nominations, places selected students at universities and issues offer and admission letters. Respond promptly and complete any pre-departure formalities, including your student visa.
Required Documents
- A valid Sri Lankan passport (bio-data page)
- Academic transcripts and certificates for all completed levels
- A recent passport-size photograph that meets the portal's specifications
- A medical fitness certificate
- A statement of purpose or list of study preferences
- A research proposal or synopsis (for PhD and research applicants)
- Letters of recommendation, where the level or course requires them
- An English-language certificate, if requested for your course
- A list of preferred universities and disciplines
Key Dates & Deadlines
The Nehru Memorial scheme opens once a year, in line with the Indian academic calendar that begins around July or August. The application window and the High Commission's nomination cutoff are published each cycle on the A2A portal and by the High Commission of India in Colombo. Because exact dates shift from year to year, check both sources early and aim to submit well before the closing date rather than in the final days.
Tips for a Strong Application
What helps
- Start early so you have time to gather transcripts and a medical certificate
- List realistic, well-matched university and course preferences rather than only the most competitive ones
- Keep names, dates and numbers identical across your passport, certificates and form
- Write a clear statement that connects your past study to what you want to do in India
- For research applicants, submit a focused, feasible proposal
Common mistakes to avoid
- Uploading blurry or incomplete scans that fail document checks
- Leaving the form until the last day and missing the High Commission's cutoff
- Mismatched spellings between your passport and academic records
- Choosing courses you are not academically eligible for
- Ignoring messages from ICCR or the High Commission after submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme?
Sri Lankan nationals who meet ICCR's academic, age and health requirements and want to study at the undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD level in India.
Does the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme cover tuition fees?
Yes. It covers full tuition and compulsory fees at your assigned Indian university, alongside a stipend and other benefits on the standard ICCR scale.
How much stipend does the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme pay?
It pays a monthly stipend that increases with your study level, with separate rates for undergraduate, postgraduate and M.Phil/PhD students. Check the current financial terms notification on the A2A portal for exact figures.
Which degree levels does the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme support?
Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes across most regular academic disciplines at recognised Indian universities.
How do I apply for the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme?
Register and apply on the ICCR A2A portal, then have your application nominated through the High Commission of India in Colombo within the annual window.
Is the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme fully funded?
Yes. It is a Government of India fully funded scheme covering tuition, stipend, accommodation support, a contingency grant and medical cover.
Does the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme require an English test?
Most courses are taught in English and ICCR may ask for proof of English proficiency depending on the course. Confirm the requirement for your chosen programme on the portal.
Where will I study under the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme?
ICCR places you at a recognised Indian university based on your stated preferences, your field of study and merit. Placement is not guaranteed at your first-choice institution.
Does the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme provide accommodation?
Yes. You receive hostel accommodation support or a house rent allowance at standard city-band rates.
Can I apply for a PhD under the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme?
Yes. Doctoral study is covered, and PhD applicants should submit a research proposal along with the standard documents.
What is the deadline for the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme?
It opens once a year ahead of the Indian academic session. Exact dates are published each cycle on the A2A portal and by the High Commission of India in Colombo, so check both early.
Does the ICCR Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme include medical cover?
Yes. Ordinary medical treatment is covered through the institution's facilities or a designated scheme during your studies.