Many Indian students aspire to study at international destinations due to a myriad of reasons. It is an opportunity to gain a world-class education, experience new cultures, and build a global network of contacts. However, studying abroad can also be expensive and challenging. Hence Government backing and support helps in a big way to fuel the students aspirations by making international education accessible and affordable for the common masses.
The Indian government is committed to supporting Indian students who wish to study abroad. It offers a variety of initiatives and programs to help students finance their studies, find and apply to programs, and prepare for their study abroad experience.
Financial Assistance
One of the biggest challenges for Indian students who want to study abroad is financing their studies. The Indian government offers a variety of scholarships and loans to help students meet the costs of studying abroad.
Some of the most popular scholarships and fellowships initiated by the central government of India and various state governments are,
USA:
Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowships: For Indian students pursuing a master's degree in select U.S. fields.
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships: For Indian students doing part of their doctoral research in U.S. institutions.
UK:
Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship: For Indian students to pursue studies in the UK. Includes master's, doctoral studies, and certain short-term research.
Dr. Manmohan Singh Scholarship: For doctoral studies at St. John’s College, University of Cambridge.
France:
Raman-Charpak Fellowship: For Indian and French Ph.D. students for part of their research work in the other country.
General (Multiple Countries/Global):
JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarships: For Indian students going to various countries for higher education.
KC Mahindra Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad: For postgraduate studies in multiple countries.
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS): For SC/ST students for higher studies in various countries, including master's, Ph.D., and post-doctoral levels.
S.N. Bose Scholars Student Exchange Program for Indian Students: For research in U.S. institutions in select fields.
State-specific scholarships (Initiated by respective state governments in India):
Maharashtra State Government International Merit Scholarship: For students from Maharashtra admitted to top global universities.
Karnataka State Government Scholarship for Minorities: For minority students from Karnataka.
West Bengal Government Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme: For students of West Bengal for postgraduate studies abroad.
Special Categories:
Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme For Central Armed Police Forces And Assam Rifles: For wards/widows of deceased CAPFs & AR personnel and wards of personnel below officer rank for diverse country focuses.
Saksham: By AICTE for differently-abled students to pursue technical education abroad.
Prabuddha: By the Karnataka government for students from backward classes for higher studies abroad.
List of few other scholarships applicable for students desiring to study in USA, Europe and UK are as follows:
• Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
• Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for International Students
• WISE (funded by DAAD)
• Orange Tulip Scholarship (OTS)
• British Council GREAT scholarships for Indian Students
• Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Postgraduate
• Chevening Scholarships
• Cornell University Tata Scholarship
• British Council-IELTS Prize
Some scholarships applicable for students desiring to study in Australia are as follows:
• University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) Future of Change India
Scholarship
• India Global Leaders Scholarship
• University of Adelaide Ashok Khurana Scholarship for Indian Students
Some scholarships applicable for students desiring to study in China and Japan are as follows:
• Peking University Scholarship
• Asian Development Bank Scholarship
In addition to scholarships, the Indian government also offers loans to students who wish to study abroad. These loans are typically offered through banks and financial institutions at subsidized interest rates.
Finding and Applying to Programs
The Indian government also offers a variety of services to help students find and apply to study abroad programs. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has a dedicated portal called the Student Registration Portal (SRP) where students can register themselves and access information on study abroad programs, scholarships, and other resources.
The MEA also has a network of Indian Missions/Posts in different countries that can provide students with information and assistance on study abroad programs and the application process.
The Indian government also offers a variety of programs to help students prepare for their study abroad experience. The MEA has a program called the Pre-Departure Orientation Program (PDOP) which provides students with information on the visa application process, cultural adjustment, and other important topics.
The MEA also has a network of Cultural Centers in different countries that offer a variety of programs and activities to help students learn about the culture and language of their host country.
LIST OF INDIAN CULTURAL CENTERS ABROAD
Sr. No. Name of Centres with country
1. The Nehru Centre
London (U.K.).
2. The Tagore Centre
Berlin, Germany.
3. Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre
Moscow, Russia.
4. Indian Cultural Centre
Astana, Kazakhstan.
5. Lal Bahadur Shastri Centre for Indian Culture
Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
6. Indian Cultural Centre
Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
7. Indian Cultural Centre
Kabul, Afganistan.
8. Indian Cultural Centre
Colombo, Sri Lanka.
9. Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre
Jakarta, Indonesia.
10. Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture
Port Louis, Mauritius.
11. Maulana Azad Centre for Indian Culture
Cairo, Egypt.
12. Indian Cultural Centre
Durban, South Africa.
13. Indian Cultural Centre
Johannesburg, South Africa.
14. Indian Cultural Centre
Georgetown, Guyana.
15. Mahatma Gandhi Institute For Cultural Cooperation
Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago.
16. Indian Cultural Centre
Paramaribo, Suriname.
17. Indian Cultural Centre
Suva, Fiji.
18. Indian Cultural Centre
Beijing, China.
19. Indian Cultural Wing
Kathmandu, Nepal.
20. Indian Cultural Centre
Bangkok, Thailand
21. Indian Cultural Centre
Abu Dhabi, Dubai.
22. Indian Cultural Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
23. Indian Cultural Centre
Tokyo, Japan
24. Indian Cultural Centre
Mexico.
25. Indian Cultural Centre
Thimphu, Bhutan.
26. Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
27. Indian Cultural Centre
Yangon, Myanmar.
28. Indian Cultural Centre
Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania
29. Indian Cultural Centre
Seoul, Korea.
30. Indian Cultural Centre
Budapest, Hungary.
31. Indian Cultural Centre
Prague, Czech Republic
32. Indian Cultural Centre
Male, Maldives.
33. Indian Cultural Centre
Sao Paulo, Brazil.
34. Indian Cultural Centre
Riyadh.
35. Indian Cultural Centre
The Hague, Netherlands.
36. Indian Cultural Centre
Tehran, Iran
Sub-Centres
1. Sub-Cultural Centre
Lautoka, Fiji.
2. Sub-Cultural Centre
Bali, Indonesia.
Support Services for Indian Students Studying Abroad
The Indian government also offers a variety of support services for Indian students studying abroad. The MEA has a portal called the MADAD portal where students can register and access information on a variety of topics, including visa issues, travel advisories, and consular services.
Indian students studying abroad can also contact the Indian Mission/Post in their host country for assistance.
The Indian government is committed to supporting Indian students who wish to study abroad. Indian students who are considering studying abroad should take advantage of the government's support programs. These programs can help to make study abroad more accessible and affordable for Indian students. These initiatives can help in transforming the career journey of aspiring students and make them more capable.
Here are some additional tips for Indian students who are considering studying abroad:
Start planning early: The application process for study abroad programs can be time-consuming, so it is important to start planning early.
Do your research: There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a study abroad program, such as the cost, location, and academic curriculum. It is important to do your research and choose a program that is a good fit for your needs and interests.
Be prepared for cultural adjustment: Studying abroad can be a culture shock, so it is important to be prepared for the changes that you will experience. Try to learn about the culture of your host country before you go, and be open to new experiences.
Get involved: Once you arrive at your study abroad institution, get involved in extracurricular activities and clubs. This is a great way to meet new people and learn about the local culture.
Make the most of your experience: Studying abroad is a unique and unforgettable experience. Make the most of it by traveling, meeting new people, and learning about new cultures.
Bulbul is a self-driven professional and an expert writer & editor. She has been a part of the ed-tech industry for the past 2 years now and is motivated to provide study abroad aspirants with factually correct and relevant information. Her knack for impactful writing makes her blogs worth a read!
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