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ICCR Scholarship Schemes 2026: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) offers multiple prestigious scholarship schemes funded by the Government of India for foreign students who wish to study in India. These scholarships promote cultural exchange, educational cooperation, and people-to-people relations between India and partner countries. ICCR scholarships cover Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), Ph.D., and specialized courses, including engineering, humanities, Indian culture, and AYUSH systems of medicine.

This guide explains ICCR Scholarship Schemes 2026, including eligibility, benefits, participating countries, and the application process.

What is ICCR Scholarship?

The ICCR Scholarship is a fully funded or partially funded scholarship program managed by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India. It allows international students to pursue higher education in recognized Indian universities and institutions.

These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, country-specific agreements, and government-to-government cooperation.

List of Major ICCR Scholarship Schemes

Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (GSS)

This is one of the largest ICCR scholarships for students from Asia, America, Europe, Eurasia, and Oceania. It supports UG, PG, and research programs in Indian universities.

1. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme

Offered to students from Commonwealth countries, this scheme supports UG, PG, and Ph.D. courses and reflects India’s commitment to educational cooperation within the Commonwealth.

2. Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme (Sri Lanka)

Designed exclusively for Sri Lankan nationals, this scholarship covers UG, PG, and Ph.D. programs, strengthening historical and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.

3. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship

This scheme operates under Cultural Exchange Programmes (CEP/EEP) signed between India and partner countries. It supports degree courses, Hindi certificate programs, and Buddhist studies, depending on bilateral agreements.

4. Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship

Focused on Indian culture, this scholarship supports international students studying Indian music, dance, theatre, performing arts, sculpture, languages, and cuisine.

5. Sushma Swaraj Silver Jubilee Scholarship (Nepal)

This scheme supports Nepalese nationals, offering PG and Ph.D. scholarships under MEA supervision.

6. AYUSH Scholarship Schemes

These schemes allow students from BIMSTEC, Non-BIMSTEC, SEAR countries, and Malaysia to study Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy in India.

7. India-Africa Maitri Scholarship

Supports students from African countries pursuing UG, PG, and Ph.D. courses in Indian institutions.

8. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Scholarship

Offered to students from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, supporting higher education and cultural exchange.

9. Quad STEM Scholarship Scheme

Launched after the Quad Leaders’ Summit 2024, this new scheme offers 50 scholarships to Indo-Pacific students for 4-year undergraduate engineering programs in Government-funded Indian institutions (AY 2025-26).

ICCR Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

Although eligibility varies by scheme, common requirements include:

1. Applicant must be a foreign national
2. Must belong to an eligible country
3. Strong academic background
4. Meets age and qualification criteria of the chosen course
5. Good English proficiency (or Hindi where applicable)
6. Medically fit as per Indian university norms

ICCR Scholarship Benefits

ICCR scholarships generally include:

1. Tuition fee coverage
2. Monthly living allowance
3. Hostel or housing allowance
4. Medical insurance
5. Study-related expenses
6. Cultural exposure and academic support

Benefits may differ depending on the scholarship scheme and host institution.

How to Apply

Visit the official ICCR scholarship portal

1. Register as a new international student
2. Select the preferred ICCR Scholarship Scheme
3. Choose courses and Indian universities
4. Upload academic documents
5. Submit the application before the deadline
6. Track application status online

Applications are processed through Indian Missions / Embassies in respective countries.

Selection Process

• Academic merit evaluation
• Country-wise nomination
• Verification by Indian Missions
• Final approval by ICCR and host universities

Why Choose ICCR Scholarship to Study in India?

• Study at top Indian universities
• Exposure to India’s culture and heritage
• Affordable, globally recognized education
• Government-backed and transparent process
• Wide range of disciplines and countries covered

FAQs: ICCR Scholarship Schemes 2026

Q1. Who can apply for ICCR Scholarship? Foreign nationals from eligible countries who meet academic and age criteria can apply.
Q2. Is ICCR Scholarship fully funded? Most schemes are fully funded, covering tuition and living expenses.
Q3. Can students apply for multiple ICCR schemes? No, applicants must apply under one eligible scheme only.
Q4. What courses are available under ICCR Scholarship? Engineering, humanities, science, arts, Ph.D., AYUSH, Indian culture, and more.
Q5. Is IELTS required for ICCR Scholarship? Usually not mandatory, but basic English proficiency is required.

Conclusion

The ICCR Scholarship Schemes 2026 offer a golden opportunity for international students to study in India with government support. With multiple schemes covering academic, cultural, and technical education, ICCR scholarships strengthen India’s global educational outreach. Students are advised to carefully review eligibility, choose the right scheme, and apply through official channels to avoid misinformation.

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