India ICCR Scholarship 2026

Overview

The India ICCR Scholarship is the main higher-education scholarship programme of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous body under India's Ministry of External Affairs. It was set up to strengthen India's cultural and educational ties abroad, and each year it offers fully funded study to international students across a large network of recognised Indian universities and institutes. The scheme covers Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral (M.Phil/Ph.D) study, and in many years Diploma and certain Ayush (traditional medicine) courses too.

For 2026-2027, all applications go through the ICCR Admissions-to-Alumni (A2A) Scholarship Portal. ICCR runs its awards under several distinct schemes aimed at different regions and partner countries, and together they support thousands of foreign students from around 180 countries. Because the programme works through diplomatic missions, applicants are normally nominated or guided by the Indian Embassy or High Commission in their home country.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Funding body: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Government of India
• Host country: India
• Study levels: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, M.Phil and Ph.D (Diploma / Ayush courses in some schemes)
• Coverage: Fully funded (tuition, living stipend, accommodation support, medical)
• Application platform: ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal (a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in)
• Eligible nationalities: Students from around 180 partner countries (verify your country's eligibility with the local Indian mission)
• Medium of instruction: Primarily English
• Number of awards: Several thousand annually across multiple schemes

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility varies by scheme and study level, but the general requirements stay consistent across the programme:

• You must be a citizen of a country eligible under one of ICCR's schemes and normally must not hold Indian citizenship or OCI status.
• You must fall within the age range set for your level of study. Each scheme sets minimum and maximum ages, and doctoral applicants are generally allowed a higher age limit than undergraduates.
• You must hold the academic qualifications required for your course, with grades that meet the minimum percentage set by ICCR and the host university.
• You need adequate English, the main medium of instruction, and may be asked to provide evidence of it.
• You must be medically fit to study in India and able to get a student visa.

Confirm scheme-specific conditions with the Indian Embassy or High Commission in your country, since quotas and requirements differ by region.

Scholarship Benefits

The ICCR Scholarship is a fully funded award. Benefits typically include:

• Tuition fees: Full course and tuition fees paid directly to the host institution.
• Monthly living stipend: A maintenance allowance paid each month, rising with the level of study (undergraduate, postgraduate, then M.Phil/Ph.D).
• Accommodation / house rent allowance: Hostel accommodation or a monthly house rent allowance, with a higher rate in major (Grade-1) cities.
• Contingency / book grant: An annual grant for books, stationery and academic materials, scaled by study level.
• Thesis / dissertation allowance: A one-time grant for research students toward typing and preparing the thesis or dissertation.
• Medical benefits: Medical cover through the host institution's facilities or a recognised arrangement.
• Study tour: In some schemes, support for an educational study tour within India.

ICCR sets the exact stipend and allowance amounts for each cycle and publishes them on the official portal, so rely on the figures in the current official guidelines.

How to Apply

The 2026-2027 process is entirely online, and you should not send paper files directly to embassies or universities. The main steps:

• Go to the ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal at a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in and create an applicant account.
• Complete the online form, choosing your scheme, study level and university choices from the empanelled list.
• Upload all required documents in the specified format.
• Submit before your scheme's deadline. Your details then go to the relevant Indian Embassy/High Commission for nomination.
• If shortlisted, follow up on admission, visa and travel arrangements as directed by the mission and ICCR.

Required Documents

• A valid passport (copy of the bio-data page)
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Academic transcripts and certificates for all completed qualifications
• Evidence of English-language proficiency (where required)
• A statement of purpose or essay, as requested by the scheme
• A medical fitness certificate
• For research applicants, a synopsis or research proposal
• Any additional documents specified by your local Indian mission or chosen scheme

Any document not in English should come with a certified translation.

Important Dates & Deadlines

For 2026-2027, online applications on the ICCR A2A Portal opened in early 2026, with most scheme deadlines falling in the spring. Deadlines differ by scheme and by country, and some schemes (such as certain Ayush courses) stay open longer than others. Since dates are set per scheme and per mission, check the current deadline on the A2A portal and confirm it with the Indian Embassy or High Commission in your country before applying.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Start early and apply well before the deadline; portals get busy in the final days.
• Pick realistic university and course preferences from the empanelled list, not only the most competitive options.
• Write a clear, specific statement of purpose that connects your background to your course and to study in India.
• Make sure transcripts, certificates and translations are complete, legible and correctly named when you upload them.
• Contact the cultural or education wing of your local Indian mission early for scheme-specific guidance.
• Check that your passport validity comfortably covers the full study period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ICCR Scholarship fully funded? Yes. It typically covers tuition, a monthly living stipend, accommodation or house rent allowance, contingency and thesis allowances, and medical support.

Which levels of study are covered? Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral (M.Phil/Ph.D), plus Diploma and Ayush courses in some schemes.

Do I apply through my embassy or online? You apply online via the A2A portal, but candidates are usually nominated through the Indian Embassy/High Commission in their country.

Is English proficiency required? English is the main medium of instruction, so you should be proficient and may need to provide evidence.

Can Indian citizens or OCI holders apply? No. The scholarship is for foreign nationals; Indian citizens and OCI cardholders are generally not eligible.

Related Scholarships

• Study in India (SII) Programme
• Malaysia International Scholarship (MIS)
• Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC)
• MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship
• Other Government of India fellowships administered through diplomatic missions