Planning to study abroad is a dream for many, but the high costs often make it challenging for middle- and lower-class students to pursue international education. To bridge this gap, the Indian government offers a range of scholarships and financial assistance schemes through central and state programs. These scholarships aim to support deserving students, helping them achieve their aspirations of higher education abroad. Here’s a detailed list of central and state government scholarships to study abroad.

Central Government Scholarship Schemes

1. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme
   The National Overseas Scholarship facilitates higher education opportunities for low-income students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, and Traditional Artisans categories. The scholarship supports Master’s and Ph.D. courses, enhancing the economic and social status of these students.
2. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship
   This prestigious fellowship is for candidates with a U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalent, at least three years of professional work experience, and a commitment to community service in India. Awarded for up to two years, it supports master’s studies in fields like Economics, Environmental Science, Public Health, Urban Planning, and more at U.S. universities.
3. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy
   This scheme benefits students from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs). It provides an interest subsidy on educational loans for Master’s, M.Phil., and Ph.D. programs abroad during the moratorium period.
4. Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship
   Designed for Indian scholars pursuing a Ph.D. in Indian institutions, this fellowship supports pre-doctoral research in the U.S. The program spans 6-9 months and promotes academic collaboration on climate change issues.
5. Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
   Fully funded by the Indian government, this one-year fellowship (extendable by another year) places scholars at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford. Fellows gain Junior Research Fellow status at Oxford and engage in high-level research.

State Government Scholarship Schemes

In addition to central schemes, several state governments offer scholarships to support students aspiring to study abroad.

1. Telangana’s Chief Minister’s Overseas Scheme for Minorities
   This scheme is tailored for students from minority communities with an annual family income below ₹5 lakh. The grant includes ₹20 lakhs or the admission letter’s stated amount (whichever is less), alongside visa and one-way airfare expenses.
2. Maharashtra’s Foreign Scholarship Program
   Maharashtra offers scholarships across various departments, including the Social Justice Department, Tribal Development Department, and Minority Development Department. These programs cover diverse fields for postgraduate and doctoral studies abroad.
3. Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Overseas Scholarship Scheme
   Tamil Nadu’s scheme supports Scheduled Tribes, Adi Dravidar, and Christian Adi Dravidar students pursuing postgraduate or doctoral studies abroad. Up to 10 students receive financial assistance of up to ₹36 lakh annually.
4. Kerala Backward Classes Development Overseas Scholarship
   This scheme helps students from backward classes pursue medical, engineering, agriculture, management, or social sciences at international universities. The maximum grant is ₹10 lakhs.
5. Rajasthan’s Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence
   Rajasthan’s government assists 200 meritorious students annually, funding undergraduate, postgraduate, Ph.D., and post-doctoral studies at top global universities like Oxford and Stanford. The scheme covers tuition fees, travel, and other expenses.

Why Government Scholarships Matter

These scholarships are vital in empowering students from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue quality education globally. They bridge financial gaps, enhance skill development, and foster global exposure, enabling students to contribute significantly to their communities and the nation upon return.

For more information about state-specific scholarships, visit the respective state government’s official website.

By utilizing these scholarships, students can take a step closer to fulfilling their dreams of studying abroad, overcoming financial challenges, and achieving academic excellence.