India is a major source country for students who study abroad, but it also welcomes international students seeking affordable higher education in Asia.
While India may not receive as many international students as some traditional study destinations, it remains an important education hub. According to the latest AISHE final report, 46,878 foreign students from 170 countries were enrolled in Indian higher education in 2021-22.
Learners can choose from a large higher education system. AISHE 2021-22 recorded 1,168 universities and university-level institutions, 45,473 colleges, and 12,002 stand-alone institutions. Many programs for foreign students are taught in English, though applicants should always check the language requirements of their chosen university and program.
Tuition and living costs in India are generally competitive, but costs vary significantly by university, program, housing, and city. International students may also qualify for government, university, or institute-driven scholarships and fee waivers. Here are scholarship and funding options in India to consider:
Top Scholarships in India for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Study in India Scholarships and Fee Waivers | Government portal and participating institutes | Varies by institution and course | 10% to 100% tuition fee waiver or scholarship, at the institute’s discretion |
| ICCR General Scholarship Program | Indian Government | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D.
Selected certificate/diploma courses | Tuition and admissible university charges, plus monthly stipend, HRA, contingent allowance, and applicable thesis/project allowance |
| Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology International Scholarship | Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology | Bachelor’s
Master’s
Ph.D. | Full or half tuition fee waivers; 100 scholarships available |
| SRM Institute of Science & Technology International Scholarship | SRM Institute of Science & Technology | Engineering and other eligible programs | 65% fee waiver for eligible Africa, Asia, and SAARC students in Engineering; 50% fee waiver for eligible Africa, Asia, and SAARC students in other programs; 40% fee waiver for eligible NRI/PIO/OCI applicants |
1. Study in India Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: 10% to 100% tuition fee waiver or scholarship, as decided by the participating institute
- Eligible Degree/s: Varies by institution and course
The Study in India program is a government portal that helps international students explore Indian higher education, register for a unique SII ID, apply online, and complete related visa and FRRO steps.
The current Study in India portal states that it does not offer its own scholarship. Instead, participating institutions may offer institute-driven scholarships or fee waivers for meritorious students, generally ranging from 10% to 100% of tuition at the institute’s discretion.
Students can use the portal to explore participating institutions and courses, apply online, receive offers, and complete the SII ID process required for foreign student visas.
Because the award is institute-driven, students should confirm the value, covered costs, renewal rules, and deadline directly with the participating university before accepting an offer.
2. ICCR General Scholarship Program
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Tuition and admissible university charges, plus monthly stipend, HRA, contingent allowance, and applicable thesis/project allowance
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and selected certificate/diploma courses
Funded and administered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the General Scholarship Scheme accepts applications through the ICCR A2A scholarship portal.
Applicants may choose up to five ICCR-empaneled universities, institutions, or courses. Admission and scholarship selection are not guaranteed, and final selection depends on the Indian Mission’s evaluation and available scholarship slots.
ICCR scholarships may support structured undergraduate, postgraduate, Ph.D., and selected certificate or diploma programs of at least one year. Certain fields are excluded, including medical science, paramedical courses, law courses, and integrated courses. Science and engineering undergraduate applicants should have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics at the Class 12 level.
Ph.D. applicants must submit a research synopsis with their application.
In addition to tuition and admissible university charges, ICCR scholars receive a monthly stipend, house rent allowance, contingent grant, and applicable thesis or project allowance. Students must also follow current visa, SII ID, health insurance, and FRRO registration requirements.
3. Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology International Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: Full or half tuition fee waiver
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
Located in Odisha, KIIT offers the KIIT International Scholarship for international students. The current official KIIT scholarship page says that two students and ten students from each country receive full and half tuition fee waivers, respectively, and that 100 scholarships are available.
Eligibility requirements vary by program. Applicants should review the academic requirements, covered fees, renewal conditions, and scholarship rules on KIIT’s current international admissions and scholarship pages before applying.
4. SRM Institute of Science & Technology International Scholarship
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Amount: 50% to 65% fee waiver for eligible foreign applicants from Africa, Asia, and SAARC; 40% fee waiver for eligible NRI/PIO/OCI applicants
- Eligible Degree/s: Engineering and other eligible programs, subject to current SRMIST international admissions rules
SRM Institute of Science & Technology’s international admissions page for 2026 lists current fee waivers for foreign applicants from Africa, Asia, and SAARC: 65% for Engineering and 50% for other programs. NRI/PIO/OCI applicants are listed separately with a 40% fee waiver condition based on SAT performance or 70% and above in HSC.
The current page lists several academic areas for international admission, including Engineering & Technology, Medical & Health Sciences, Management, Science & Humanities, Hotel & Catering Management, Agricultural Sciences, Law, and Ph.D. Availability depends on the program, campus, eligibility, and annual admissions policy.
Students should confirm the exact fee waiver, covered costs, and renewal requirements directly with SRMIST before applying.
We hope that this article on the best scholarships in India for international students was helpful. To find more information like this, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
