Best Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad 2026

Fully funded scholarships are offered by three main sources, each with different eligibility requirements and coverage:

1. Government-funded Scholarships

Funded by host country governments, these scholarships typically cover tuition, living costs, airfare, visa fees, and health insurance. Most prefer students with strong academics, leadership experience, or research interests.
Examples: Fulbright Scholarship (USA), DAAD Scholarship (Germany), MEXT Scholarship (Japan), Australian Awards Scholarship (Australia)

2. University-specific Scholarships

Offered by universities to attract high-achieving international students for UG, master's, and PhD programs. Selection is based on academic performance, research potential, or leadership achievements.
Examples: Gates Cambridge Scholarship, Yale University Scholarship, Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholarship

3. External or foundation-funded scholarships

Funded by private foundations or international organisations, these scholarships often target students in specific fields such as public policy, social impact, arts, or sustainability. Many also offer mentorship and alumni network access alongside financial support.
Examples: Rhodes Scholarship, Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship, Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, Chevening Scholarship

Here is the list of top fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad:

Let’s take a closer look at the top fully funded scholarships for Indian students to study abroad, including their benefits, eligibility criteria, and more:

1. Fulbright Scholarship (USA)

The Fulbright-Nehru Master's Fellowships are offered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) for Indian students pursuing a master's degree in the USA. The fellowship supports students with strong academics, leadership experience, and at least 3 years of full-time paid work experience for up to 2 years.

• Coverage
  • Tuition fees and university-related costs
  • Round-trip economy airfare from India to the USA
  • Living and related expenses during the fellowship
  • J-1 visa support
  • Accident and sickness coverage as per US government guidelines
• Bond Obligation: Fulbright students go on a J-1 visa, which comes with a 2-year home-country residence requirement. This means students are expected to return to India after the program before applying for certain long-term US visa categories.
• Eligibility Criteria
  • Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Must have at least 55% in a bachelor’s degree from a recognised Indian university.
  • Must have a 4-year bachelor’s degree, or a completed master’s degree, or a full-time postgraduate diploma if the bachelor’s degree is less than 4 years.
  • Must have at least 3 years of full-time paid work experience related to the chosen field.
  • Must show leadership experience and community involvement.
  • Must not already hold a degree from a US university or be enrolled in a US degree program.

Apply Here: Fulbright Scholarship

2. Chevening Scholarships

The Chevening Scholarship is offered by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for students and working professionals pursuing a one-year master's degree at a UK university. It targets candidates with leadership potential, professional work experience, and clear career goals.

• Coverage:
  • Full tuition fees for the selected master’s program
  • Monthly living allowance/stipend for accommodation and daily expenses
  • Round-trip economy airfare to and from the UK
  • Arrival and departure allowances
  • Visa application cost and travel grants for selected Chevening events
• Bond Obligation: Students must return to their home country for at least 2 years after completing the scholarship before applying for long-term work or settlement visas in the UK.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country like India.
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree that qualifies you for a UK master’s program.
  • Must have at least 2 years of work experience, including full-time jobs, internships, volunteering, or part-time work.
  • Must apply to three eligible UK university courses and receive at least one unconditional offer.
  • Must show leadership qualities, networking skills, and clear career goals.

Apply Here: Chevening Scholarship

3. DAAD Scholarships

The DAAD Scholarship is offered by the German Academic Exchange Service for international students pursuing master's, PhD, or research programs in Germany. It is particularly popular among Indian students because many German public universities charge low or no tuition fees, making overall costs significantly more affordable. Most programs support students for 1 to 3 years.

• Coverage:
  • Monthly stipend of around EUR 992/month (₹1.1 lakh approx.) for master’s students
  • Monthly stipend of around EUR 1,300/month (₹1.45 lakh approx.) for PhD students
  • Health, accident, and personal liability insurance
  • Round-trip travel allowance
  • Research allowance, study allowance, and, in some cases, rent or family support
• Bond Obligation: DAAD scholarships do not require students to return to their home country after completing the course.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must have a bachelor’s degree for master’s programs or a master’s degree for PhD programs.
  • Must show strong academic performance and a well-defined study or research plan.
  • Some programs, especially EPOS courses, require at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
  • Must meet English or German language requirements based on the course language.
  • Must apply to a recognised German university or a DAAD-supported program.

Apply Here: DAAD

4. Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship

The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship supports Indian students pursuing full-time master's, MPhil, or doctoral programs at top universities in the USA, UK, and Europe. It primarily targets students in the humanities, social sciences, fine arts, architecture, film, and music. Funding covers the full course duration.

• Coverage:
  • Tuition fees and university-related expenses
  • Living allowance for accommodation and daily expenses
  • One-way travel allowance to the study destination
  • Health allowance/medical support
  • Total funding of up to USD 100,000 (₹95 lakh), depending on the course and university
• Bond Obligation: No
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be an Indian citizen residing in India at the time of application.
  • Must hold a degree from a recognised Indian university, or have lived/worked/studied in India for at least 2 years after completing an overseas degree.
  • Must have an admission offer from an eligible university before applying.
  • The minimum academic requirement is usually 65% for Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Fine Arts, and Architecture, and 70% for Science, Mathematics, and related fields.
  • Applicants should be below the age limit mentioned in the scholarship guidelines for that application year.

Apply Here: Inlaks Shivdasani

5. MEXT Scholarships

The MEXT Scholarship is offered by Japan's Ministry of Education for international students pursuing undergraduate, master's, PhD, research, and specialised training programs at Japanese public universities. Funding can continue for 2 to 5 years depending on the course and language preparation required.

• Coverage:
  • Full tuition fees at Japanese universities
  • Monthly stipend of around JPY 117,000-145,000/month (₹70,000 to ₹87,000), depending on the study level
  • Round-trip airfare between India and Japan
  • Preparatory Japanese language training, if required
  • Support for accommodation and basic living expense.
• Bond Obligation: No formal bond obligation. But students are expected to complete the program responsibly and maintain academic progress as per MEXT guidelines.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be an Indian citizen.
  • Must meet the academic requirements for the chosen study level.
  • Undergraduate applicants usually need strong Class 12 scores, often around 80% or higher.
  • Master’s and PhD applicants must have relevant previous degrees and research interests in their field.
  • Applicants may need to appear for written tests and interviews conducted by the Japanese Embassy.
  • English or Japanese language proficiency requirements can vary by university and program.

Apply Here: MEXT

6. Australian Awards Scholarship

The Australia Awards Scholarship is offered by the Australian government to students from developing countries pursuing undergraduate, master's, or selected research programs at Australian universities. It supports students who can contribute to their home country's development after graduation.

• Coverage:
  • Full tuition fees for the selected course
  • Return economy airfare between India and Australia
  • Establishment allowance for initial expenses after arrival
  • Living stipend/contribution to living expenses during the course
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and academic support services
• Bond Obligation: Students must return to their home country for at least 2 years after completing the scholarship. This is a mandatory condition under the Australia Awards program.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a citizen of an eligible participating country.
  • Must be at least 18 years old at the time of starting the scholarship.
  • Must meet the academic and English language requirements of the chosen university and course.
  • Applicants should show leadership potential and commitment to contributing to their home country after graduation.
  • Some courses or countries may require relevant work experience.

Apply Here: Australian Awards

7. Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is offered by the Rhodes Trust for postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. It supports students with outstanding academics, leadership, social impact, and commitment to public service. Funding is provided for 2 years and may continue depending on the program. Rhodes Scholars join a global alumni network of researchers, policymakers, and public leaders.

• Coverage:
  • Full Oxford University tuition fees
  • Annual living stipend for accommodation and daily expenses
  • Round-trip economy airfare to and from the UK
  • Visa fees and International Health Surcharge (IHS)
  • Additional support for academic development and research-related expenses in some cases
• Bond Obligation: None
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be an Indian citizen holding a valid Indian passport.
  • Applicants for the India constituency must be between 19 and 25 years old at the time of application. Verify the current age limit on the official Rhodes Trust India page before applying, as this can be updated between cycles.
  • Must have completed a bachelor’s degree with strong academic performance.
  • Must meet the admission requirements for the chosen Oxford program.
  • Leadership experience, extracurricular involvement, public service, or social impact work is strongly valued.
  • Must show strong communication skills and character.

Apply Here: Rhodes Scholarship 

8. Commonwealth Scholarship

The Commonwealth Scholarship is funded by the UK government through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission for students from Commonwealth countries, including India. It supports master's and PhD students whose studies contribute to development in areas like education, healthcare, technology, sustainability, and public policy. Financial support continues for 1 to 3 years, depending on the course.

• Coverage:
  • Complete tuition fee support
  • Monthly stipend for living and accommodation expenses
  • Round-trip airfare between India and the UK
  • Warm clothing allowance and thesis grant in selected cases
  • Additional family or child allowance in some situations
• Bond Obligation: Students are expected to return to their home country after completing the scholarship because the program is designed to support development in Commonwealth nations.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be a citizen or permanent resident of a Commonwealth country like India.
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree for master’s courses and a relevant postgraduate degree for PhD programs.
  • Applicants should have a strong academic background, usually equivalent to an upper second-class degree.
  • Financial need is an important part of the selection process.
  • Some universities or programs may also ask for English language test scores, such as IELTS.

Apply Here: Commonwealth Scholarship

9. Erasmus Mundus Scholarship

The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship is funded by the European Union for international students pursuing joint master's programs across multiple European universities. Students study in two or more countries during the course, gaining exposure to different education systems. Most programs run for 1 to 2 years.

• Coverage:
  • Full tuition fees for the complete program
  • Monthly living allowance/stipend during the course
  • Travel allowance and support for relocation expenses
  • Visa and installation support for many programs
  • Health insurance coverage for the duration of studies
• Bond Obligation: No
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university.
  • Students from any country, including India, can apply.
  • Strong academic performance is important for selection.
  • Some programs may require relevant internships, projects, or work experience.
  • English language test scores, like IELTS or TOEFL, are usually required.
  • Certain courses may also ask for subject-specific academic backgrounds.

Apply Here: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 

10. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

Unlike most scholarships on this page, the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship does not accept direct applications from students. French universities submit nominations on behalf of selected candidates to the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Students must first apply to and be accepted by a participating French institution, which then decides whether to nominate them. It supports master's and PhD programs in engineering, science, economics, law, and political studies.

• Coverage:
  • Monthly allowance of around EUR 1,181/month (₹1.32 lakh approx.) for master’s students
  • Monthly stipend of around EUR 1,800/month (₹2 lakh approx.) for PhD students
  • International round-trip airfare
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Cultural activities and support for local travel within France in some cases
• Bond Obligation: Not Applicable
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Must be an international student applying to an eligible French institution.
  • Master’s applicants are generally required to be below 27 years of age, while PhD applicants are usually below 32 years.
  • Must have a strong academic record in the chosen field.
  • Applicants should apply for eligible programs in areas supported under the Eiffel Scholarship.
  • Selection is handled by the university nominating the student to the French government.

Apply Here: Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

Many students start searching for scholarships only after getting university admission, but fully funded scholarships usually require much earlier preparation. A strong SOP, relevant work experience, leadership activities, and applying within deadlines often matter as much as academics. It also helps to shortlist scholarships based on your course, country, and career goals instead of applying randomly everywhere.

Yocket Premium can help you identify scholarships that match your profile, track application timelines, and understand country-specific requirements more clearly. You can also get support with SOP reviews, university shortlisting, and scholarship planning based on your budget and study plans. This makes the application process more organised and easier to manage during multiple university applications.