4 Best Scholarships for Indian Students

For students wondering whether international scholarship opportunities are available for Indian students, this article is for you.

Studying abroad is a challenging yet exciting journey. It can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, opening a whole new world to experience, learn, and grow in. However, pursuing an education abroad does not come cheap, and finances can be a heavy burden.

That is why any opportunity to ease your financial situation, in the form of scholarships or grants, is always welcome. If you are interested in scholarship opportunities available for Indian students abroad, keep reading. We will look at notable scholarship opportunities and programs connected to different countries.

Scholarships for Indian Students

Many countries with strong higher education systems, such as the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany, offer scholarships to international students. Some scholarships cover a large portion of study costs, while others can cover tuition, airfare, living expenses, or other financial needs, depending on the award and the applicant’s eligibility.

Here, we have scholarships and scholarship programs that Indian students may want to know about: the UBC Leader of Tomorrow Award, Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship, Tata Scholarship, and DAAD Scholarship.

1. UBC Leader of Tomorrow Award (Canada)

• Scholarship Program
• Scholarship Amount: Need- and merit-based financial support; the value depends on UBC’s financial assessment
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s | Offered by: University of British Columbia

University of British Columbia offers the Karen McKellin International Leader of Tomorrow Award as one of the award categories under its International Scholars Program. The program is for international students pursuing undergraduate degrees who have strong academic performance, leadership qualities, community involvement, and significant financial need. UBC is located in Canada and is ranked 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

This is one of the notable scholarships students from India can consider if they meet UBC’s requirements. Eligible applicants must be international students who will study in Canada on a Canadian study permit, enter UBC directly from an accredited secondary school, apply for their first undergraduate degree, demonstrate significant financial need, meet UBC’s admission requirements, and meet UBC’s English Language Admission Standard.

Applications for the 2026 school year are now closed. UBC advises applicants to check back in the summer for information about awards for the September 2027 intake. For recent admission cycles, international applicants had to submit a separate International Scholars Program award application before the UBC admission deadline, so students should always check UBC’s current dates before applying.

2. Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship

• Scholarship Program
• Scholarship Amount: Most awards are fully funded, including tuition fees, approved airfare, and a living allowance; exact benefits vary by award
• Eligible Degree/s: Postgraduate programs, primarily Master’s; Ph.D. routes depend on the specific CSC award | Offered by: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK

Indian students may be eligible for certain Commonwealth Scholarship Commission awards, depending on the specific scholarship category and the rules for that year. Commonwealth Scholarships are aimed at students from Commonwealth countries who would not otherwise be able to afford postgraduate study in the UK.

General eligibility usually requires applicants to be citizens or permanent residents of an eligible Commonwealth country, hold the required academic qualifications, and be unable to afford study in the UK without the scholarship. For Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships, India is listed as an eligible country for the current cycle. Ph.D. eligibility is more award-specific, so Indian Ph.D. applicants should check the current CSC page for the exact route available in the relevant year.

Applications for Commonwealth Scholarships for the academic year are now closed. Deadlines vary by award and by nominating agency, so applicants should use the CSC and British Council pages to confirm the current application process, deadlines, required documents, and participating universities before applying.

3. Tata Scholarship

• Scholarship Program
• Scholarship Amount: Need-based financial aid for eligible admitted undergraduates; Cornell provides up to eight semesters of Tata Scholarship funding while financial need continues, except for the five-year architecture program, which may receive up to ten semesters
• Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s | Offered by: Cornell University

The Tata Scholarship is funded by the Tata Education and Development Trust, a philanthropic affiliate of India’s Tata Group, and provides financial aid for undergraduate students from India at Cornell University.

The Tata Scholarship Fund supports approximately 20 scholars at any point in time. It is designed to help talented Indian students access Cornell regardless of their financial circumstances. Cornell awards these scholarships annually, and recipients receive support for the duration of their undergraduate studies as long as they continue to demonstrate financial need.

To receive the undergraduate scholarship, a recipient must have attended secondary school in India, be offered admission to Cornell as an undergraduate student, and be eligible for need-based financial aid. Cornell gives preference to qualified students accepted to certain programs, including the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning; Cornell Engineering; Applied Economics and Management in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business; and majors across the biological sciences, physical sciences, other sciences, and social sciences.

There is no separate Tata Scholarship application listed by Cornell. Eligible undergraduate applicants are considered when they complete Cornell’s admission application and apply for financial aid by completing the CSS Profile.

4. DAAD Scholarship

• Scholarship Program
• Scholarship Amount: Typically €992 per month for Master’s students and €1,400 per month for doctoral candidates and postdocs as of February 2026; benefits may include insurance, a travel allowance, and additional support depending on the program
• Eligible Degree/s: Master’s, Ph.D., and research programs | Offered by: German Academic Exchange Service

Germany offers several scholarship options for international students, including programs administered by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). DAAD scholarships usually do not have to be repaid, and the exact benefits depend on the scholarship program, academic level, and applicant profile.

DAAD and its programs are largely financed through public funding bodies, and DAAD remains one of the most important organizations for academic exchange in Germany. In 2024, DAAD supported more than 140,000 students, graduates, researchers, and university staff worldwide.

Individuals who wish to apply should read the call for applications for their desired scholarship in the DAAD scholarship database. The database provides program-specific eligibility requirements, application deadlines, benefits, selection criteria, and application instructions.

FAQs: Scholarship Opportunities for Indian Students

There are many scholarship opportunities available for Indian students in several countries, including countries known for strong higher education systems. These scholarships can make a meaningful difference for talented Indian students who need financial support to study abroad.

Hopefully, this article on scholarships for Indians gives you the push you need to pursue your higher education. Make sure to also check the Available Courses for Indian Students and our Scholarships Page for information on scholarships and universities across the globe.