The ICCR Scholarship 2026-27 is a Government of India scholarship program run by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) under the Ministry of External Affairs. Unlike most schemes covered on ScholarshipsX, this scholarship is not for Indian students — it is offered by India to international students who want to pursue Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Ph.D., Diploma, and AYUSH courses at Indian universities. This guide covers the ICCR Scholarship 2026 opening date, ICCR Scholarship requirements, the university list, and what happens next now that the main application window has closed.
ICCR Scholarship 2026-27 — Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | ICCR Scholarship Schemes 2026-27 |
| Conducting Authority | Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India |
| Application Mode | Online — ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal |
| ICCR Scholarship 2026 Opening Date | 27 February 2026 (AY 2026-27 cycle) |
| ICCR Scholarship 2025 / 2026 Last Date | General Scheme: 30 April 2026 (closed) | AYUSH Scheme: 31 May 2026 (closed) |
| ICCR Scholarship Portal | a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in |
| Eligible Applicants | Foreign nationals from 180+ ICCR partner countries |
| Courses Covered | UG, PG, Ph.D., Diploma, AYUSH, Performing Arts, Yoga |
| ICCR Scholarship University List | 131+ empanelled Indian public universities |
| ICCR Scholarship 2026 Amount | Rs. 18,000–Rs. 25,000/month stipend + tuition + HRA + medical cover |
| Next Cycle | AY 2027-28 — expected to open around February 2027 |
What Is an ICCR Scholar?
An ICCR scholar is an international student selected by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to study in India as a government-sponsored guest student. ICCR scholars are placed in empanelled central universities, state universities, or National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and receive a monthly stipend, tuition fee waiver, hostel or housing allowance, and medical insurance for the duration of their course. Selection is based on academic merit combined with a country-specific quota, so applicants compete only within their own country’s applicant pool rather than globally.
Is the ICCR Scholarship for 2026 Open?
No — as of now, the ICCR Scholarship 2026-27 application window is closed. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme closed on 30 April 2026, and the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme (covering Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) closed on 31 May 2026. Universities are currently completing provisional admission confirmations, and final selections for the 2026-27 academic year are being processed through Indian Missions abroad. Students who missed this cycle should plan to apply when the ICCR Scholarship 2027-28 portal opens, typically in late February.
Who Is Eligible for ICCR Scholarship?
Eligibility varies slightly by scheme, but the common ICCR Scholarship requirements are:
- Applicant must be a foreign national from an ICCR partner country
- Age: generally 18–35 years for UG/PG/Diploma courses, up to 40 years for Ph.D. (varies by scheme; no upper limit for some art and culture courses)
- Strong academic record meeting the admission criteria of the chosen course and university
- Proficiency in English (a mandatory English essay is submitted on the A2A portal for most schemes)
- Medically fit as per Indian university and ICCR norms
- Only one application per academic year is allowed — multiple applications lead to rejection, even after an award is made
ICCR Scholarship 2026 Requirements — Documents Needed
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport Copy | Valid passport with at least 2 years’ validity |
| Academic Certificates | Mark sheets and certificates of previous qualifying exams |
| Medical Fitness Certificate | Issued by a registered medical practitioner |
| English Proficiency Proof / Essay | Self-written essay submitted on the A2A portal (most schemes) |
| Recommendation Letter | From school/university or relevant authority |
| Passport-size Photograph | Recent photograph as per portal specifications |
| Statement of Purpose | Course and university preference justification |
ICCR Scholarship Schemes — Full List
| Scheme | Eligible Students | Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (GSS) | Students from Asia, Americas, Europe, Eurasia, Oceania | UG, PG, Ph.D. |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship | Commonwealth country nationals | UG, PG, Ph.D. |
| Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme | Sri Lankan nationals only | UG, PG, Ph.D. |
| Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Cultural Exchange Scholarship | Per bilateral CEP/EEP agreements | Degree, Hindi certificate, Buddhist studies |
| Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship | International culture/arts students | Music, dance, theatre, sculpture, languages |
| Sushma Swaraj Silver Jubilee Scholarship | Nepalese nationals | PG, Ph.D. |
| AYUSH Scholarship Scheme | BIMSTEC, Non-BIMSTEC, SEAR countries, Malaysia | Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy |
| India-Africa Maitri Scholarship | African nationals | UG, PG, Ph.D. |
| Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Scholarship | Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam | Higher education, cultural exchange |
| Quad STEM Scholarship Scheme | Indo-Pacific students | 4-year UG Engineering (50 seats/year) |
How Much Is an ICCR Scholarship? (Stipend & Benefits)
| Course Level | Monthly Stipend |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (UG) | ₹18,000 |
| Postgraduate (PG) | ₹20,000 |
| Ph.D. | ₹22,000 |
| Post-Doctoral | ₹25,000 |
Additionally, scholars receive a House Rent Allowance (HRA) of approximately ₹5,500–₹6,500/month when hostel accommodation is unavailable, full tuition fee coverage at empanelled universities, medical insurance, and a one-time contingency grant for books and study material. Exact amounts can vary slightly by scheme and are confirmed on the official ICCR Scholarship Portal.
How to Apply — ICCR Scholarship Portal Process
- Visit the official ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal at a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
- Register as a new international applicant using a valid email ID and passport details
- Select the eligible scheme based on your nationality (e.g., GSS, AYUSH, Commonwealth)
- Choose up to three course and university preferences
- Upload all required documents in the specified format and size
- Submit the mandatory English proficiency essay where applicable
- Review and submit the application before the scheme deadline
- Track application status through the Indian Mission/Embassy in your home country
ICCR Scholarship 2026-27 Application Timeline
| Stage | Period |
|---|---|
| A2A Portal opens for student applications | 27 February 2026 |
| General Scholarship Scheme deadline | 30 April 2026 (closed) |
| AYUSH Scholarship deadline | 31 May 2026 (closed) |
| University scrutiny & provisional admission upload | 27 February – 31 May 2026 |
| Final selection & Mission verification | Ongoing (mid-2026) |
| Next cycle (AY 2027-28) expected opening | ~February 2027 |
Example: How an International Student Uses ICCR Scholarship
Consider Amara, an undergraduate applicant from Nigeria interested in studying Computer Science in India. She registers on the A2A portal in early March, selects the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme under the Africa quota, and lists three NIT preferences. She uploads her academic transcripts, passport copy, and a short English proficiency essay, then submits before the April deadline. Her application is verified by the Indian High Commission in her country, and once shortlisted, the receiving university uploads her provisional admission confirmation to the portal — after which ICCR issues final approval and she receives her stipend details for the semester.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| ICCR Scholarship Portal (Apply Online) | a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in |
| Official ICCR Website | iccr.gov.in |
| More Scholarship Guides | ScholarshipsX Scholarships |
| Central Govt Scholarship Schemes | Browse Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is eligible for ICCR scholarship?
Foreign nationals from ICCR partner countries who meet the age, academic, English proficiency, and medical fitness criteria of their chosen scheme are eligible to apply.
Q2. Is the ICCR scholarship for 2026 open?
No. The AY 2026-27 application window has closed — the General Scheme closed 30 April 2026 and the AYUSH Scheme closed 31 May 2026. The next opportunity is the 2027-28 cycle, expected to open around February 2027.
Q3. How much is an ICCR scholarship?
Monthly stipends range from Rs. 18,000 for undergraduates to Rs. 25,000 for post-doctoral scholars, plus tuition fee coverage, HRA, and medical insurance.
Q4. What is an ICCR scholar?
An ICCR scholar is an international student sponsored by the Government of India through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to study at an empanelled Indian university, treated as a guest of the Indian government for the course duration.
Q5. What is the ICCR Scholarship Portal?
The ICCR Scholarship Portal, known as the A2A (Admission to Alumni) Portal, is the official online system at a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in where all applications, document uploads, and status tracking take place.
Q6. Can Indian students apply for the ICCR scholarship?
No. ICCR scholarships are exclusively for foreign nationals wishing to study in India, not for Indian students.
My name is Alok Kumar Singh (
Scholarship Content Specialist 2+ Years Experience), the editor of this website. I hold a B.Sc. in Computer Science and have spent over 2 years researching and publishing accurate scholarship, admission and education updates for students across India and world.
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