1. ICCR Scholarships (Indian Council for Cultural
Relations)
The ICCR Scholarship is the most popular and widely
used scholarship for Nepali students studying in India. It is
fully funded by the Government of India and offered for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD,
and postdoctoral programs at selected Indian universities and
institutions. The scholarship covers tuition fees, hostel accommodation or housing
allowance, monthly stipend, medical insurance, and thesis/dissertation expenses
(for research students). Nepali students benefit greatly due to India–Nepal
diplomatic relations and geographic proximity. Applications are submitted
online through the ICCR A2A portal, usually between February and April,
and selections are made in coordination with the Indian Embassy.
2. SAARC Scholarships (South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation)
The SAARC Scholarship Scheme is another
important government-funded opportunity available to Nepali students as Nepal
is a SAARC member country. This scholarship is mainly offered for Master’s, PhD, and research-level studies in India. It supports fields such as science, engineering,
medicine, agriculture, economics, and social sciences. The
scholarship provides full tuition coverage, monthly living allowance, accommodation support,
and medical benefits. Though the number of seats is limited,
Nepali students have a strong chance due to regional cooperation priorities.
3. Nepal–India Bilateral Scholarship Schemes
Under various Nepal–India cooperation agreements,
the Government of India offers special quota scholarships specifically
for Nepali students. These scholarships are commonly used for engineering, medical,
nursing, pharmacy, and technical education in Indian
institutions. Benefits usually include full or partial tuition fee coverage and living
allowances. Applications are often facilitated through the Indian Embassy in
Kathmandu or designated Nepali government bodies. These
scholarships are particularly popular among students pursuing MBBS, BTech, and nursing
programs.
4. AYUSH Scholarships (Traditional Medicine &
Health Sciences)
The AYUSH Scholarship Scheme is offered
by the Indian government to international students, including Nepali students,
who wish to study Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy in India. The scholarship is fully
funded and covers tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation allowance, and medical
insurance. Nepal has a strong cultural and educational
connection with Ayurveda and traditional medicine, making this scholarship
especially attractive to Nepali students interested in health sciences beyond
conventional medicine.
5. University-Specific Scholarships & Fee
Waivers
Many Indian universities offer institutional
scholarships, tuition waivers, or special fee concessions for
Nepali students. Prestigious institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru
University (JNU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Delhi University, IITs, NITs,
and private universities like Manipal and Amity provide merit-based or need-based
financial support. While these scholarships may not always be fully funded,
they significantly reduce tuition costs and make studying in India affordable
for Nepali students.
6. ITEC & SCAAP (Short-Term & Specialized
Programs)
Although not degree-focused, the ITEC (Indian Technical and
Economic Cooperation) and SCAAP programs are popular among Nepali professionals and graduates
seeking short-term
training, certifications, and capacity-building courses in
India. These fully funded programs cover training costs, accommodation, travel, and stipends.
Many Nepali students later use these programs as stepping stones toward full
academic degrees in India.
7. Private Trusts & Foundation Scholarships
Several Indian educational trusts and foundations
offer scholarships to South Asian students, including Nepalese. These
scholarships are often merit-based or need-based and are tied to specific
universities or disciplines. While funding amounts vary, they are frequently
used to supplement ICCR or university funding, especially for students in arts, humanities, and
social sciences.
India remains one of the most popular destinations
for Nepali students due
to low tuition
costs, cultural similarity and no language barrier for many programs,
geographic closeness, and strong historical ties. Scholarships
such as ICCR
and SAARC make Indian education accessible even for students
from modest financial backgrounds. The wide range of institutions and programs
also allows Nepali students to pursue everything from medicine and engineering
to humanities and traditional medicine.
