Indian Government Scholarships 2017 for African Students in India
Indian Government Scholarships 2025 for African Students in India

Undergraduate / Postgraduate / High courses Scholarships 

Fully Funded Scholarships for African Students

2025 / 2026 Scholarships in India

Indian Government with the partnership of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is offering scholarships for African students. At the inaugural plenary of the India, Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in April 2008, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India announced the Government of India’s initiative to enhance the academic opportunities for students of African countries in India by increasing the number of scholarships for them to pursue under-graduate, post-graduate and higher courses.

ICCR with the direction of the Government of India administering scholarship programs awards 3940 scholarships each year from about 140 countries to foreign students under 26 different schemes, out of which 6 schemes are funded by ICCR. In every academic year about more than 6000 foreign students are held by ICCR who are studying at various institutes, universities, etc. This scholarship program is not applicable for MBBS/ MD or Dentistry/ Nursing.

Fields of Study / Subjects

ICCR scholarships are offered in all subjects/courses of undergraduate, Postgraduate, and high courses at any university in India.

No admissions and scholarships are offered for MBBS, MD, MS, and BDS courses.

Other latest Scholarships in India are also offered for different degrees and subjects all over the India.

Numbers of Scholarships

ICCR awarded 900 scholarships for African students every year.

Duration of Scholarships

Standard duration for undergraduate, postgraduate, and high courses scholarships.

Host Country

India.

Scholarships Description / Details

ICCR scholarships provide many grants:

Living Allowance (Stipend) (Per Month)

  • Undergraduate 5,500
  • Postgraduate 6,000
  • Phil / Ph.D 7,000
  • Post-doctoral Fellow 7,500

House Rent Allowance (Per Month)

  • In Grade 1 city 5,000
  • In other cities 4,500

Contingent Grant (per annum)

  • Undergraduate 5,000
  • Postgraduate 7,000
  • M/Phil / Ph.D and M.Tech./ME 12,500
  • Post – doctoral studies 15,500
  • Tuition Fee/Other Compulsory Fee As per actual (excluding refundable amount)

Thesis and Dissertation Expenses (Once in entire duration of course)

  • D Scholar 10,000
  • For BBA/BCA/MBA/MCA/M.Tech and other course required submission of Project 7.000

Medical Benefits

  • Under the scheme scholars are expected to seek treatment only at medical centers or dispensary attached to universities / Institutes where they enrolled or in the nearest Government hospital Bill are settled as admissible according to AMA/CGHS norms.

Eligible Countries

African countries are:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Comoros, Congo (Republic of), Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea (concurrent from Nairobi), Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan (Republic of), Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sao Tame & Principe, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following requirements for ICCR:

  • Students applying for doctoral/ post doctoral courses should include a synopsis of the proposed area of research.
  • Students wishing to study performing arts should, if possible, enclose video/ audio cassettes of their recorded performances.
  • Candidates must have adequate knowledge of English.
  • ICCR will not entertain applications which are sent to ICCR directly by the students or which are sent by local Embassies/High Commissions in New Delhi.
  • Priority will be given to students who have never studied in India before.
  • No application will be accepted for admission to courses in MBBS/MD or Dentistry/Nursing.
  • Candidates may note that Indian universities/educational institution are autonomous and independent and hence have their own eligibility criteria which have to be fulfilled. Please also note that acceptance of application by the University is also not a guarantee of admission. A scholarship is awarded only when admission is confirmed by ICCR.
  • Student must carry a proper visa. Students should ensure that they get the correct visa from the Indian Embassy/High Commission. Government of India guideline stipulate that if a scholar arrives without proper visa and his/her actual admission at the University/Institute does not materialize, he/she will be deported to his/her country.
  • Before departing for India the scholars should seek a full briefing from the Indian Diplomatic Mission in their country about living conditions in India/the details of scholarship/the type and duration of the course to which he/she is admitted. Scholars should inform the Indian Embassy/High Commission of their travel schedule well in advance so that ICCR can make reception and other arrangements for them.
  • Scholars are advised to bring some money with them to meet incidental expenditures on arrival in India.

Note: Priority will be given to those students who have never studied before in India.

How to Apply / Download Scholarships Form / Documents Required

  • Apply only through this link
  • Completed and signed application form which should be typed and not hand written along with other attachments must be e-mailed as a pdf document to the Embassy/ High Commission of India in your country
  • A hard copy along with 5 photographs should also be delivered to the Embassy/ High Commission of India.
  • Read the instructions carefully before filling the application form.
  • Here is the detailed guidelines on the procedure of the application form.

Note: ICCR will not accept the applications which are directly sent by students.

Contact us

Phone: 3327 23379930

Email: pdisdac.iccr@nic.in

Last Date to Apply / Deadline

Every Year (Application deadline vary by African countries). This year its May.

Official Website

Visit the official website of Indian Government for further details:

Indian Government Scholarships Application Process

Indian Government with the partnership of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is offering scholarships for African students. ICCR with the direction of the Government of India administering scholarship programs awards 3940 scholarships each year from about 140 countries to foreign students under 26 different schemes, out of which 6 schemes are funded by ICCR. In every academic year about more than 6000 foreign students are held by ICCR who are studying at various institutes, universities, etc.

Here are the details of the application process for the Indian Government Scholarships for African Students program.

Step 1

  • Apply only through Completed and signed application form which should be typed and not hand written along with other attachments must be e-mailed as a pdf document to the Embassy/ High Commission of India in your country
  • A hard copy along with 5 photographs should also be delivered to the Embassy/ High Commission of India.
  • Read the instructions carefully before filling the application form.
  • Here is the detailed guidelines on the procedure of the application form.

Note: ICCR will not accept the applications which are directly sent by students.

Step 2

Select the university related to your field and fill relevant University International Student admission form.

Step 3

  • First of all register yourself. Click ‘Please Sign up’ for registration.
  • After registering yourself, read the instructions carefully before filling the application form.
  • Then fill the application form.
  • And lastly, submit the application form along with the required documents.
  • Print the application form.
  • 5 passport size photographs.
  • Make a set of required documents.
  • Sent it to the Embassy/ High Commission of India.

Note: If any information is found to be untrue then the process of your application will be terminated.

Indian Government Scholarships Frequently Asked Questions

Students have lots of questions regarding the Indian Government Scholarships program for African students. It is the scholarship program offered by the Government of India to African students. Here are the answers to your questions regarding this scholarship program.

 (Q) Is it easy to apply for this scholarship program?

(A) Yes.

(Q) Is it easy to be selected for this scholarship program?

(A) Yes, if you are a hardworking and an eligible candidate.

(Q) What is the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)?

(A) Indian Government with the partnership of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is offering scholarships for African students. ICCR with the direction of the Government of India administering scholarship programs awards 3940 scholarships each year from about 140 countries to foreign students under 26 different schemes, out of which 6 schemes are funded by ICCR. In every academic year about more than 6000 foreign students are held by ICCR who are studying at various institutes, universities, etc.

(Q) How to apply for the Indian Government Scholarship for African students? Or procedure to apply for this scholarship program?

  • (A) Apply only through this link.
  • Completed and signed application form which should be typed and not hand written along with other attachments must be e-mailed as a pdf document to the Embassy/ High Commission of India in your country
  • A hard copy along with 5 photographs should also be delivered to the Embassy/ High Commission of India.
  • Read the instructions carefully before filling the application form.
  • Here is the detailed guidelines on the procedure of the application form.

Note: ICCR will not accept the applications which are directly sent by students.

(Q) Host Country of this scholarship program?

(A) India.

(Q) Is it necessary to submit a hard copy of your application?

(A) No.

(Q) What is the duration of this scholarship program?

(A) Standard duration for undergraduate, postgraduate, and high courses scholarships.

(Q) Is it a fully funded scholarship program?

(A) ICCR scholarships provide many grants:

Living Allowance (Stipend) (Per Month)

  • Undergraduate 5,500
  • Postgraduate 6,000
  • Phil / Ph.D 7,000
  • Post-doctoral Fellow 7,500

House Rent Allowance (Per Month)

  • In Grade 1 city 5,000
  • In other cities 4,500

Contingent Grant (per annum)

  • Undergraduate 5,000
  • Postgraduate 7,000
  • M/Phil / Ph.D and M.Tech./ME 12,500
  • Post – doctoral studies 15,500
  • Tuition Fee/Other Compulsory Fee As per actual (excluding refundable amount)

Thesis and Dissertation Expenses (Once in entire duration of course)

  • D Scholar 10,000
  • For BBA/BCA/MBA/MCA/M.Tech and other course required submission of Project 7.000

Medical Benefits

  • Under the scheme scholars are expected to seek treatment only at medical centers or dispensary attached to universities / Institutes where they enrolled or in the nearest Government hospital  Bill are settled as admissible according to AMA/CGHS norms.

(Q) Is it possible to submit your application after the deadline?

(A) No.

(Q) Who can apply for this scholarship program?

(A) Indian Government with the partnership of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is offering scholarships for African students.

(Q) Scholarship will be awarded on merit?

(A) Yes, it is a merit based scholarship program.

(Q) Which fields of education does this program offers?

(A) ICCR scholarships are offered in all subjects/courses of undergraduate, Postgraduate, and high courses at any university in India.

No admissions and scholarships are offered for MBBS, MD, MS, and BDS courses.

(Q) What are the eligibility criteria for this scholarship program?

(A) Candidates must meet the following requirements for ICCR:

  • Students applying for doctoral/ post doctoral courses should include a synopsis of the proposed area of research.
  • Students wishing to study performing arts should, if possible, enclose video/ audio cassettes of their recorded performances.
  • Candidates must have adequate knowledge of English.
  • ICCR will not entertain applications which are sent to ICCR directly by the students or which are sent by local Embassies/High Commissions in New Delhi.
  • Priority will be given to students who have never studied in India before.
  • No application will be accepted for admission to courses in MBBS/MD or Dentistry/Nursing.
  • Candidates may note that Indian universities/educational institution are autonomous and independent and hence have their own eligibility criteria which have to be fulfilled. Please also note that acceptance of application by the University is also not a guarantee of admission. A scholarship is awarded only when admission is confirmed by ICCR.
  • Student must carry a proper visa. Students should ensure that they get the correct visa from the Indian Embassy/High Commission. Government of India guideline stipulate that if a scholar arrives without proper visa and his/her actual admission at the University/Institute does not materialize, he/she will be deported to his/her country.
  • Before departing for India the scholars should seek a full briefing from the Indian Diplomatic Mission in their country about living conditions in India/the details of scholarship/the type and duration of the course to which he/she is admitted. Scholars should inform the Indian Embassy/High Commission of their travel schedule well in advance so that ICCR can make reception and other arrangements for them.
  • Scholars are advised to bring some money with them to meet incidental expenditures on arrival in India.

Note: Priority will be given to those students who have never studied before in India.

(Q) What if an applicant submits only their application form and not the documents?

(A) Then their application will not be considered and will be cancelled.

(Q) A person who already is availing any other scholarship, can apply for this scholarship program?

(A) An applicant may apply for other scholarship programs, but cannot hold two scholarships at the same time.

(Q) How many scholarships are awarded per year or annually?

(A) ICCR awarded 900 scholarships for African students every year.

(Q) Host country of this scholarship program?

(A) India.

(Q) List the names of African countries that are eligible to apply for this scholarship program?

(A) African countries are:

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cape Verde, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Comoros, Congo (Republic of), Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea (concurrent from Nairobi), Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Kenya, Libya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan (Republic of), Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sao Tame & Principe, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

(Q) What happens if any information is found to be untrue?

(A) Then the process of your application will be terminated.

(Q) What is the deadline or last date of this scholarship program?

(A) Every Year (Application deadline vary by African countries). This year its May (Annual)

(Q) How to contact the Indian Government Scholarship Program for African students?

(A) Phone: 3327 23379930

Email: pdisdac.iccr@nic.in

(Q) Want to know more about the Indian Government Scholarship Program for African Students?

(A) Visit the official website for further details.