Applications are officially open for the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarship Programme 2026–2027. Administered by the Government of India through the A2A (Admission to Alumni) Portal, this prestigious fully funded award enables international students from over 140 countries to pursue Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and PhD degrees at top empanelled Indian state and central universities.
Designed to foster global cultural ties, the ICCR scholarship covers full tuition fees, provides return airfare (under select regional schemes like the Africa-Maitri initiative), and supplies monthly living stipends to ensure awardees can focus entirely on their studies.
📊 Scholarship Summary
| Feature | Details |
| Host Country | India 🇮🇳 |
| Sponsoring Body | Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) |
| Portal Platform | A2A Portal (a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in) |
| Eligible Degrees | Diploma, Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), and PhD |
| Target Audience | International Students (EU, Africa, Asia, Americas, etc.) |
| UG/PG Age Limit | 18 to 35 Years Old |
| PhD Age Limit | Maximum 40 Years Old |
| University Choices | Select up to 5 participating institutions |
| Application Fee | 100% Free |
🎁 Scholarship Coverage & Financial Benefits
Selected ICCR scholars receive a comprehensive funding package:
- Full Tuition Waiver: Covers all university registration fees, examination fees, and lab costs for the full duration of the program.
- Monthly Living Allowance: Scholars receive a dedicated monthly stipend (varying based on degree level) to cover day-to-day living costs.
- Accommodation Support: Direct provision of campus hostel rooming or a dedicated monthly house rent allowance (HRA).
- Annual Contingency Grant: An annual grant to assist with study materials, textbooks, and academic project preparation.
- Return Airfare: Included for specific regional award schemes (such as the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship).
👤 Eligibility Requirements & Age Limits
To qualify for an ICCR award, candidates must satisfy both general government rules and university admission standards:
- Age Bracket:
- Undergraduate & Postgraduate: Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- PhD Candidates: Upper age limit is 40 years old.
- Academic Prerequisites:
- UG Applicants: Must have completed 12 years of formal schooling (10+2 high school system). STEM courses require strong marks in Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry.
- PG Applicants: Must hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree relevant to the target field.
- Language Competency: High proficiency in English is required. All non-English academic documents must include certified official English translations.
- Exclusions: ICCR funding applies only to empanelled Government/State/Central universities. Private colleges are strictly excluded.
📝 Step-by-Step Application Instructions
- Register on the A2A Portal: Go to
a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.inand create your applicant account. Fill in personal details exactly as written on your valid passport. - Select Preferred Courses & Universities: Browse the list of participating public universities and select up to 5 options in order of preference.
- Upload Academic Documents: Attach clear scans of your high school diploma, degree transcripts, certified English translations, and a 500-word essay/statement of purpose. (Note: Applicants for performing arts degrees must upload a sample performance link).
- Submit Application: Review your chosen preferences and hit submit. Submitting multiple applications leads to automatic disqualification.
- Mission Review & Medical Certificate: After preliminary university acceptance, local Indian Embassies/High Commissions conduct final interviews and verify required medical fitness certificates.
🌐 Official Application Portal
👉 Apply Here
https://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/home/register