ICCR Scholarships
More details :
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is a government organization dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and educational cooperation between India and other nations. Established in 1950, ICCR facilitates cultural diplomacy through festivals, exhibitions, and performances, showcasing India's rich heritage globally. It offers a variety of scholarships for foreign students to pursue higher education in India, covering disciplines ranging from humanities to technical fields and supporting the study of Indian languages. Additionally, ICCR fosters academic partnerships, supports cultural institutions, and organizes cultural delegations and artist residencies to enhance mutual understanding and goodwill between India and the international community.
Eligibility :
Complete and accurate application submissions are necessary to avoid rejection.
Applicants must upload certified translations of documents not in English.
Those applying for doctoral courses should include a synopsis with their application.
Performing arts applicants must provide video/audio recordings of their performances.
Students currently enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate courses in India must reapply through the A2A portal.
Scholarships are only valid for admissions to Indian state or central universities and affiliated colleges recognized by them; private institutions are not covered.
Applicants can select up to five universities/institutes of preference.
For engineering/science, mathematics, physics, and chemistry are required subjects at the higher secondary level, while biology-based subjects require biology, physics, and chemistry.
Subject choices must align with the applicant's academic background to avoid rejection.
Completion of 12 years of schooling is mandatory for UG courses.
Applicants must refer to the list of empanelled universities on the A2A portal and review the criteria for admission to their chosen courses to prevent delays.
All fields on the online application must be completed.
Changes in university, institute, or course after receiving the scholarship will not be permitted.
Scholarship recipients are prohibited from engaging in part-time or full-time employment alongside their studies.
Age limits vary depending on the course, with a maximum age of 50 for PhD programs and 18-40 for UG/PG courses.
There is no age limit for courses in Hindi, Sanskrit, or Indian performing arts such as Kathak and Bharatnatyam.
For admission to science/engineering courses, applicants must have studied Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry at the Higher Secondary level to be eligible.
Applicants must clearly mention the course they are seeking admission to while listing their choices.
When selecting options for universities, applicants must refer to the university website or the list of eligible universities available on the A2A Portal.
ICCR scholarships are not offered for admission to B.Tech courses at IITs, as these institutions have a separate admission procedure.
GMAT scores are mandatory for MBA applicants.
ICCR does not accept applications for casual research, diplomas, short-term courses, MBBS/BDS courses, or integrated courses such as law.
Applicants for Ph.D. courses must upload a synopsis (proposal) of their research work.
The medium of instruction is English in all Indian universities. Applicants must have a good command of English, including the ability to speak fluently and comprehend lessons without difficulty.
During the application process, applicants must write a 500-word essay in English on one of the topics/subjects mentioned in the A2A Portal.
Applicants have the option to provide marks obtained in English proficiency tests such as TOEFL/IELTS. Only the marks obtained in such exams should be filled in.
Submitting more than one application on the A2A Portal will result in disqualification.
Required documents :
Original Qualification Documents: Provide original documents related to your qualifications for verification by the respective university/institute in India.
English Translations: If your original documents are not in English, submit certified translations of these documents.
Certified Copy of Syllabus: Include a certified copy of the syllabus from your last qualifying examination.
Valid Passport with Visa: Ensure you have a valid passport with the appropriate visa. For undergraduate/postgraduate studies, you'll need a student visa, and for Ph.D. studies, you'll need a research visa.
Scholarship Award Letter: Present the award letter issued by the concerned Indian Mission/Post abroad confirming your scholarship.
Undertaking from the Student: Provide an undertaking stating that the course and university assigned are acceptable to you and that you will not request a change at the time of admission.
Acknowledgment of Terms and Conditions: Submit an undertaking confirming that you have read and understood the terms and conditions/guidelines of the ICCR scholarship as specified in the Scholarship Manual available on the ICCR website.
The Certificate of Physical Fitness
How to apply :
To apply for ICCR scholarships, follow these steps:
Access the A2A Portal: Visit the A2A Scholarship Portal provided by ICCR.
Register/Login: If you're a new user, register on the portal with your email address and create a password. If you're a returning user, log in with your credentials.
Complete the Application Form: Fill out the online application form with accurate and detailed information. Make sure to provide all required details, including personal information, educational background, choice of courses and universities, and any other relevant information.
Upload Documents: Scan and upload all necessary documents as per the requirements specified in the application form. These documents may include educational certificates, transcripts, passport copy, recent photograph, English proficiency test scores (if applicable), and any other documents mentioned in the eligibility criteria.
Submit the Application: Review your application thoroughly to ensure all information is accurate and complete. Once satisfied, submit your application through the portal.
Track Application Status: After submission, you can track the status of your application through the A2A Portal. Monitor for any updates or requests for additional information.
Follow Up: Stay proactive and responsive to any communication from ICCR regarding your application. Be prepared to attend interviews or provide further documentation if required.
Await Notification: Wait for notification from ICCR regarding the status of your application. Successful candidates will receive further instructions on the next steps to take.
Acceptance and Pre-Departure Preparation: If selected for the scholarship, follow the instructions provided by ICCR for acceptance of the award and prepare for your studies in India, including visa application, travel arrangements, and any pre-departure orientation sessions.
Commence Studies: Once all preparations are complete, commence your studies at the chosen university/institute in India and make the most of your scholarship opportunity.
The Scholarship Benefits:
Tuition Fee Waiver: Full or partial waiver of tuition fees for the duration of the course.
Accommodation Allowance: Financial support or accommodation arrangements to cover housing expenses during the course of study.
Monthly Stipend: Provision of a monthly stipend to cover living expenses such as food, transportation, and personal necessities.
Medical Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance coverage for the duration of the scholarship period.
Book Allowance: Financial assistance to purchase required textbooks and study materials.
Airfare: Coverage of airfare from the applicant's home country to India and back, either as a one-way or round-trip ticket, depending on the scholarship category.
Cultural Orientation Programs: Participation in cultural orientation programs to familiarize scholars with Indian culture, customs, and language. More