✈️ Top Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025

Planning to study abroad in 2025 but worried about the high tuition fees and living expenses? Don’t let financial constraints stop your global dreams. Every year, thousands of Indian students receive scholarships that cover part or full costs of their higher education in countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, and more.

In this post, we’ve curated a detailed list of the best study abroad scholarships for Indian students 2025, including eligibility, deadlines, and tips to increase your chances of winning.

🎓 Why Apply for Scholarships?

Pursuing a degree abroad can cost anywhere from ₹15 to ₹60 lakhs depending on the country and course. Scholarships help reduce or completely waive these costs — covering tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, health insurance, and even laptop allowances.

Types of scholarships include:

• Merit-based (academic or extracurricular achievements)

• Need-based (family income below a certain threshold)

• Subject-specific

• Destination-based

• University-specific

🏆 Top Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students 2025

1. Chevening Scholarships – UK

• What it covers: Full tuition fees, living allowance, airfare

• Eligibility: Indian students with 2+ years of work experience applying to a UK master’s program

• Deadline: 7th October 2025

• Website: chevening.org

  
  

2. Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowships – US

Fulbright Scholarship

• Offered by: United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF)

• Covers: Tuition, airfare, living expenses

• Eligibility: Indian students with leadership potential and 3+ years of work experience

Deadline: May 2025

3. DAAD Scholarships – Germany

DAAD Scholarships

• What it covers: Tuition fee (most German universities have none), travel allowance, monthly stipend

• Eligibility: Graduates applying for master's programs in German public universities

• Bonus: Some courses include German language training

• Deadline: 29th August 2025

  
  

4. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) – India Government

National Overseas Scholarship Scheme

• Target audience: SC/ST and other minority categories with a family income < ₹8 lakhs/year

• Covers: Tuition fees, living expenses, travel

• Number of awards: ~100 annually

• Deadline: March–April 2025

• Official portal: nosmsje.gov.in

  
  

5. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship

INLAKS Shivdasani Foundation

• Supports: Master’s programs at top universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge

• Covers: Tuition fees, living expenses up to $100,000

• Eligibility: Indian students under 30, excellent academic record

• Deadline: March 2025

  
  

6. Commonwealth Scholarships – UK

COMMONWEALTH Scholarships

• Covers: Tuition, airfare, and a monthly stipend

• Eligibility: Indian students applying to UK universities with strong academic background

• Must apply through: Ministry of Education, Government of India

  
  

7. Scholarships from Foreign Universities

Many top universities offer fully funded scholarships exclusively for Indian applicants:

• Oxford University – Rhodes, Clarendon

• University of Melbourne – Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship

• University of British Columbia – UBC International Leader of Tomorrow

📋 Common Documents Required for Scholarship Applications

Whether applying for a national education foundation scheme or an international scholarship, you’ll typically need:

• Academic transcripts (10th, 12th, bachelor’s)

• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Letters of Recommendation

• Proof of income (for need-based scholarships)

• Valid passport and admission offer letter

🏛️ State Government Scholarships for Indian Students

Many Indian state governments are proactively helping students pursue higher education abroad by offering specific scholarship schemes. These state-level initiatives can be a great opportunity for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Here are two notable examples:

➤ Eklavya Scholarship – Maharashtra

This is one of the most recognized state scholarships for Indian students. It supports SC/ST students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies abroad by covering part of the tuition fees and living costs. To be eligible, students must have an excellent academic record and belong to Maharashtra.

➤ Rajiv Gandhi Fellowship – Andhra Pradesh

Aimed at empowering scholars from Andhra Pradesh, this scholarship provides financial assistance for doctoral-level study abroad programs, especially in science, technology, and engineering. Students must show strong research potential and clear academic transcripts for consideration.

📌 Tip: Always check your state education department portal for the latest application guidelines, deadlines, and document requirements. Some scholarships may also include academic transcripts, proof of admission, and household income details.

📝 Tips to Improve Your Scholarship Chances

1. Start early: Begin at least 10–12 months before your intended intake.

2. Tailor your SOP: Focus on impact, goals, and how the course links to your vision.

3. Apply to multiple scholarships: Don’t rely on just one.

4. Track deadlines: Use a scholarship calendar or portal like Scholarshipfinder.in

5. Prepare a strong resume: Highlight internships, community work, and achievements.

📅 Upcoming Scholarship Deadlines for 2025 Intake

When planning to study abroad, missing a scholarship deadline could cost you lakhs in potential savings. That’s why it’s important to keep a checklist of application timelines — especially for competitive or fully funded scholarships.

Below is a list of popular study abroad scholarships for Indian students in 2025, along with their expected deadlines. Do note that dates may vary slightly year to year, so it’s best to check the official websites regularly.

🔔 Scholarship Deadline Calendar

Scholarship Name	Expected Deadline
Chevening Scholarships (UK)	October 2025
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships (USA)	May 2025
DAAD EPOS Scholarships (Germany)	August 2025
Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation (Global)	March 2025
National Overseas Scholarship (India Govt.)	April 2025
Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)	Depends on specific scholarship
Rhodes Scholarships (Oxford)	July 2025
UBC International Scholars Program (Canada)	November 2024

Each of these scholarships supports a wide range of academic disciplines — from engineering and management to public policy and fine arts. For example, the DAAD scholarship is popular among Indian students pursuing higher education in fields like environmental science, social innovation, and renewable energy.

In contrast, the Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship is ideal for professionals with 3+ years of work experience who want to combine academic learning with leadership development.

Many of these opportunities cover full tuition fees, accommodation, travel expenses, and even research grants. This makes them highly competitive — sometimes with only a 5% selection rate.

But don’t be discouraged. Even if you miss the first round, many scholarships (like Commonwealth or National Overseas) have Spring 2026 intakes or waitlists. So, always apply and stay on the radar.

💡 Tip for Indian Students: Use tools like Scholarshipfinder.in to filter scholarships based on deadlines, country, and course. This not only saves time but also ensures you don’t miss out on lesser-known scholarships offered by individual universities or state governments.

Moreover, some university-specific scholarships operate on a rolling basis. These often require you to first secure admission and then submit a separate scholarship application — so keep a calendar aligned with admission cycles as well.

Scholarship Name	Deadline
Chevening	October 2025
Fulbright	May 2025
DAAD	August 2025
Inlaks	Mar 2025
NOS	Apr 2025

✅ Bonus Tip: Some scholarships also open slots for Spring 2026 intake, so apply even if you miss Fall 2025 deadlines.

📲 Where to Search for Scholarships?

You can visit:

• Official university websites

• Government education portals

• NGO or private trust websites

• Scholarshipfinder.in – India’s dedicated scholarship marketplace for Indian and international programs

✍️ Bonus Checklist: What to Prepare Before Deadlines

Before you hit “Submit,” make sure you have:

• A strong Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Updated academic transcripts

• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)

• Valid passport

• A well-organized resume or CV

Having all documents ready before the deadline will help avoid last-minute stress and technical issues.

By tracking deadlines, preparing early, and applying to multiple programs, students interested in studying abroad can significantly improve their scholarship success rate — and make international higher education more affordable and achievable.

🧠 Final Thoughts

Securing a scholarship for your study abroad journey in 2025 can be life-changing. With careful planning, a strong application, and persistence, your dream of international education can become reality — without the burden of debt.

Whether you're aiming for fully funded scholarships, national overseas support, or university-specific awards, there’s an opportunity out there with your name on it.

🙋 Need Help with Applications?

We help students:

• Shortlist the best-fit scholarships

• Review SOPs and resumes

• Apply to top universities with high acceptance rates

📞 Book a free counselling session today at wementoryou.in Or join our WhatsApp group for daily updates on study abroad scholarships for Indian students.