Scholarships Every Indian Student should know About in 2025

Higher education abroad offers immense opportunities for personal and professional growth, but the financial burden can often deter many bright Indian students from pursuing their dreams. Scholarships can make a significant difference, offering not only financial support but also access to world-class institutions, international networks, and career opportunities. In 2025, the variety of scholarships available for Indian students is vast, ranging from government-funded to private, merit-based to need-based, and regional to international scholarships. In this blog, we will explore some of the top scholarships every Indian student should consider to fund their education in 2025.

1. Indian Government Scholarships

The Indian government provides several scholarships aimed at encouraging students to pursue education both within India and abroad. Some prominent scholarships include:

• National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for Minority Communities 

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment offers this scholarship to students from minority communities (such as Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, and Zoroastrians). The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, travel, and other expenses for postgraduate and doctoral studies at top universities abroad.

• UGC Scholarships 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) offers various scholarships to postgraduate students in India. These scholarships cater to students pursuing their studies in diverse fields, including the UGC NET Fellowship for research scholars and the Indira Gandhi Scholarship for postgraduates.

• MHRD Scholarships 

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) offers scholarships for students pursuing education in different sectors such as engineering, science, technology, and management. The IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi scholarships are among the most well-known MHRD initiatives.

2. Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad

Studying abroad opens a wealth of academic and professional opportunities, and various international organizations and universities offer scholarships to Indian students.

• Rhodes Scholarship 

The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships for international students, especially those from India. It covers full tuition, living expenses, and travel allowances to study at the University of Oxford. This scholarship is highly competitive and is awarded based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to community service.

• Chevening Scholarships 

Funded by the UK government, Chevening Scholarships offer full financial support to students from India and other countries to pursue a master’s degree at any UK university. The scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel. The selection is based on leadership potential, academic merit, and professional experience.

• Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships 

The Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships are a part of the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF). These scholarships offer funding for Indian students to pursue a master’s or PhD in the USA. The fellowship covers tuition fees, travel, living allowances, and health insurance. It is ideal for students in fields like arts, science, technology, and business.

• Erasmus Mundus Scholarships 

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship offers funding for students from India to study in various European Union universities. This scholarship is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses and covers tuition fees, living costs, travel expenses, and health insurance. Erasmus Mundus promotes the mobility of students across European countries and is ideal for those pursuing studies in subjects like humanities, engineering, and social sciences.

• Australia Awards Scholarship 

Sponsored by the Australian government, the Australia Awards Scholarship provides an opportunity for Indian students to pursue a postgraduate program at an Australian university. It covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and other allowances. The scholarship is awarded to students in fields like governance, education, agriculture, and development.

3. Scholarships by Universities

Many universities around the world offer specific scholarships for international students, including those from India. Here are some notable ones:

• University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 

This scholarship is awarded to Indian students pursuing postgraduate research programs at the University of Melbourne, Australia. It offers full tuition fee coverage, a living allowance, and a research allowance.

• Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program 

The Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program at Stanford University offers full funding for graduate studies. It covers tuition, stipend, travel expenses, and other allowances. Indian students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to societal impact are encouraged to apply.

• Harvard University MBA Scholarship 

Harvard Business School offers various merit-based scholarships for Indian students pursuing an MBA. The scholarship covers a significant portion of tuition fees and is aimed at supporting talented leaders who aspire to make an impact in the world.

• Oxford University Clarendon Fund 

The Clarendon Fund offers fully-funded scholarships for postgraduate students at the University of Oxford. Indian students applying for courses in any discipline, from humanities to sciences, are eligible for the scholarship. It covers tuition fees and living expenses.

4. Private and Corporate Scholarships

Various private organizations and corporations offer scholarships to Indian students pursuing higher education both within India and abroad.

• Tata Scholarship for Cornell University 

The Tata Scholarship is specifically designed for undergraduate students from India to pursue a degree at Cornell University. This need-based scholarship covers full tuition fees and living expenses for eligible students.

• Aditya Birla Group Scholarship 

The Aditya Birla Group offers a scholarship to outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate students in India. The scholarship is highly competitive and supports students in fields like engineering, business, and technology.

• J N Tata Endowment for Higher Education 

The J N Tata Endowment provides interest-free loans and scholarships to Indian students who wish to pursue higher education abroad. It primarily caters to postgraduate and doctoral students in disciplines such as engineering, medicine, and business.

• Google India PhD Fellowship 

Google offers PhD Fellowships to Indian students pursuing doctoral studies in computer science and related fields. The fellowship provides funding for tuition, research, and other expenses and is aimed at encouraging innovative research in technology.

5. Specific Scholarships for Women, Minorities, and Other Groups

In 2025, several scholarships focus on empowering specific groups such as women, minority communities, and economically disadvantaged students.

• Women Techmakers Scholars Program by Google 

Google’s Women Techmakers Scholars Program offers scholarships to female students pursuing computer science and related fields. The scholarship includes tuition support and an opportunity to attend a global leadership event hosted by Google.

• The Tata Trusts Women’s Scholarship 

The Tata Trusts Women’s Scholarship is offered to female students who wish to pursue higher education abroad. It covers full tuition and living expenses and encourages women to apply for courses in various fields, including STEM, arts, and humanities.

• AICTE Scholarships for Scheduled Castes and Tribes 

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) provides scholarships for students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) to pursue technical courses in India. This scholarship helps cover tuition fees, exam fees, and other related expenses.

Conclusion

Scholarships play a crucial role in easing the financial burden of higher education. In 2025, Indian students have a wealth of opportunities to pursue their academic dreams with the help of scholarships from governments, universities, and private organizations. Whether you’re aiming to study abroad or pursue an advanced degree in India, there are scholarships available to fit your needs and ambitions.

To make the most of these opportunities, ensure that you research scholarships thoroughly, meet all eligibility criteria, and submit a strong application with well-crafted essays and recommendations. Scholarships not only provide financial support but also open doors to a world of academic and career possibilities.