If you are planning to pursue higher education abroad in 2025, this comprehensive guide lists the top government scholarships, their eligibility, benefits, application process, and deadlines — everything you need to know from start to finish.
🌍 Why Apply for Government Scholarships to Study Abroad?
Government scholarships are the most reliable and prestigious way to fund international education because they are:
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Fully or partially funded by the government.
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Merit-based and transparent in selection.
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Recognized worldwide, enhancing your academic credibility.
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Inclusive of tuition fees, living expenses, and travel grants.
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Open to students from diverse backgrounds.
🇮🇳 A. Indian Government Scholarships to Study Abroad (2025)
These schemes are funded by the Government of India to help Indian students pursue higher education in foreign universities.
1. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) – by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
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Eligibility: Indian students belonging to SC, ST, Denotified, and Landless categories.
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Level of Study: Master’s and Ph.D. abroad.
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Coverage: Tuition, living expenses, visa, travel, and health insurance.
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Fields: Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Management, and Social Sciences.
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Application Period: January – March 2025 (expected).
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Website: https://socialjustice.gov.in
2. Commonwealth Scholarships (UK) – MHRD + UK Government
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Eligibility: Indian citizens holding a Bachelor’s degree with at least 60% marks.
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Level: Master’s and Ph.D. in the UK.
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Coverage: Full tuition, airfare, and monthly stipend.
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Fields: STEM, Public Policy, Environment, and Development Studies.
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Application Deadline: September 2025 (tentative).
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Website: https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk
3. Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship (USA) – USIEF
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Eligibility: Indian students with excellent academic record and leadership qualities.
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Level: Master’s in U.S. universities.
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Coverage: Tuition, living allowance, visa, and airfare.
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Fields: Public Administration, Economics, Women’s Studies, International Affairs.
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Deadline: May 2025.
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Website: https://www.usief.org.in
4. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
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Eligibility: Indian citizens under 30 years with outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements.
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Level: Postgraduate (Master’s, MPhil, Ph.D.) in top U.S., UK, or European institutions.
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Coverage: Up to USD 100,000 (covers tuition + living).
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Deadline: March 2025.
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Website: https://www.inlaksfoundation.org
5. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship (University of Oxford, UK)
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Eligibility: Indian students with at least 60% in post-graduation and teaching experience.
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Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses, and airfare.
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Duration: One academic year.
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Website: https://education.gov.in
🌐 B. Foreign Government Scholarships for Indian Students (2025)
Several countries offer fully funded scholarships to attract talented international students, including Indians.
1. Chevening Scholarships (United Kingdom)
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Funded by: UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office).
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Level: One-year Master’s program.
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Eligibility: Minimum 2 years of work experience + leadership potential.
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Coverage: Full tuition, travel, and living costs.
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Deadline: November 2025.
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Website: https://www.chevening.org
2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships (European Union)
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Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with good academic record.
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Level: Joint Master’s across multiple European universities.
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Coverage: Full tuition, travel, and living stipend (€1,000/month).
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Deadline: December 2025 – February 2026 (varies by course).
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Website: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
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Funded by: German Academic Exchange Service.
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Level: Master’s and Ph.D. programs in German universities.
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Coverage: Full tuition, monthly stipend (~€934), and travel allowance.
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Fields: Engineering, Management, Economics, Public Policy.
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Deadline: August – October 2025.
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Website: https://www.daad.de/en
4. Australia Awards Scholarships
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Funded by: Australian Government (DFAT).
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Level: Master’s and short-term training.
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Coverage: Tuition, travel, establishment allowance, and health insurance.
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Focus Fields: Agriculture, Public Health, Education, Energy, and Technology.
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Deadline: April 2025.
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Website: https://www.dfat.gov.au
5. MEXT (Monbukagakusho) Scholarships – Japan
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Funded by: Government of Japan.
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Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D.
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Coverage: Full tuition, airfare, and monthly stipend.
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Application: Through the Embassy of Japan in India.
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Deadline: May–June 2025.
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Website: https://www.studyinjapan.go.jp
6. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France)
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Funded by: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
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Level: Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
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Coverage: Monthly allowance, travel, and health insurance.
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Deadline: January 2025.
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Website: https://www.campusfrance.org
7. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
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Funded by: South Korean Government.
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Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral.
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Coverage: Tuition, airfare, language training, and monthly stipend.
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Deadline: February–March 2025.
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Website: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr
🧭 How to Apply for Government Scholarships to Study Abroad
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Research early: Identify suitable scholarships at least 9–12 months before the intake.
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Check eligibility carefully: Academic scores, work experience, and language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL).
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Prepare documents:
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Academic transcripts
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Statement of Purpose (SOP)
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Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
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Passport and identification proof
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Research proposal (for Ph.D.)
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Apply online: Use the official government or embassy portal.
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Prepare for interview: Some scholarships include interviews or presentations.
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Wait for selection results: Track the official portal or email communication.
💡 Tips to Increase Your Scholarship Chances
✅ Start preparing 1 year before your target intake.
✅ Maintain strong academic and extracurricular profiles.
✅ Write a compelling SOP and essays that reflect your goals.
✅ Secure strong recommendation letters.
✅ Stay updated with official notifications and deadlines.
✅ Apply to multiple scholarships to maximize opportunities.
📊 Comparison Table: Top Government Scholarships to Study Abroad (2025)
| Scholarship Name | Funded By | Eligible Countries/Students | Level of Study | Coverage (Funding) | Application Deadline 2025 | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Overseas Scholarship (India) | Govt. of India | Indian SC/ST/OBC/EWS students | Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition, living, travel, visa, insurance | Jan–Mar 2025 | socialjustice.gov.in |
| Commonwealth Scholarship (UK) | UK Govt. + MHRD (India) | Indian students | Master’s, Ph.D. | Full tuition, airfare, monthly stipend | Sept 2025 | cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk |
| Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (USA) | USIEF & US Govt. | Indian citizens | Master’s | Tuition, living, visa, airfare | May 2025 | usief.org.in |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship | Inlaks Foundation | Indian citizens under 30 yrs | Master’s, MPhil, Ph.D. | Up to USD 100,000 | Mar 2025 | inlaksfoundation.org |
| Chevening Scholarship (UK) | UK Government (FCDO) | All Commonwealth countries | Master’s | Full tuition, travel, stipend | Nov 2025 | chevening.org |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s (EU) | European Union | Global students | Joint Master’s | Tuition, travel, stipend (€1,000/month) | Dec 2025–Feb 2026 | erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu |
| DAAD Scholarship (Germany) | Govt. of Germany (DAAD) | International students | Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition, stipend (~€934/month), travel | Aug–Oct 2025 | daad.de/en |
| Australia Awards Scholarship | Australian Govt. (DFAT) | Developing countries including India | Master’s | Tuition, airfare, living, health | Apr 2025 | dfat.gov.au |
| MEXT Scholarship (Japan) | Govt. of Japan | Indian & international students | UG, Master’s, Ph.D. | Full tuition, airfare, stipend | May–Jun 2025 | studyinjapan.go.jp |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (France) | French Govt. | International students | Master’s, Ph.D. | Monthly allowance, travel, insurance | Jan 2025 | campusfrance.org |
| Global Korea Scholarship (South Korea) | Govt. of Korea | Indian & international students | UG, Master’s, Ph.D. | Tuition, airfare, language training, stipend | Feb–Mar 2025 | studyinkorea.go.kr |
📋 Final Thoughts
Government scholarships to study abroad open doors to world-class education, international exposure, and global career opportunities. Whether you dream of studying in the US, UK, Europe, Japan, or Australia, there’s a fully funded program waiting for you.
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