Scholarship Comparison for Indian Students: Chevening, DAAD, MEXT and More
Last updated October 2026. Scholarship benefits, eligibility and deadlines change every year, and the figures published by third-party websites often disagree. Treat this guide as a starting point, and confirm every detail on the scholarship provider’s own website before you plan or apply. Legitimate scholarships don’t charge an application fee.
Introduction
Each scholarship has its own eligibility rules, benefits and application route, so applying at random wastes time. This guide compares some of the best-known scholarships open to Indian students, what they are generally reported to cover, and the main thing to know about applying for each. It deliberately avoids ranking scholarships by “competition level”, because no reliable source supports that.
Comparison at a Glance
| Scholarship | Destination | Level | Generally reported to cover | Key point for Indian applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | United Kingdom | One-year master’s | Tuition (up to a cap), monthly stipend, return flights, UK visa application fee, arrival allowance | India is an eligible country. Requires a bachelor’s degree, about two years of work experience and a commitment to return to India for two years. |
| Commonwealth Master’s | United Kingdom | Master’s | Tuition, monthly stipend, return flights | Indian candidates are nominated through the Ministry of Education, not a direct application. |
| Fulbright-Nehru | United States | Master’s and research fellowships | Varies by fellowship | For Indian citizens, run through USIEF. Fellowship types change from year to year. |
| Australia Awards (India) | Australia | Master’s | Tuition, flights, living costs and health cover, as reported | Selection is linked to priority sectors. Check the official India programme site for the current levels and fields. |
| MEXT (Japanese Government) | Japan | Undergraduate, master’s, PhD (varies by category) | Tuition waiver, monthly allowance and airfare, as reported | Indian applicants apply through the Embassy of Japan, with embassy deadlines that fall earlier in the year. |
| DAAD | Germany | Mainly master’s and PhD | Monthly stipend, insurance and travel support (tuition is usually low or zero at public universities) | Many programmes. Search DAAD’s database. See our Germany scholarships guide. |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters | Several European countries | Joint master’s | Programme-dependent, reported to include a participation contribution, travel and a living allowance | You apply to the specific programme, each with its own deadlines. |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation | Any country | Postgraduate | Varies by award | An Indian foundation that funds study abroad for Indian citizens. |
“Generally reported to cover” means what education websites and the providers describe. Amounts vary by year, and some benefits have caps or conditions, so read the provider’s current guidance.
Match Scholarships to Your Situation
If you have two or more years of work experience
Chevening is aimed at people with leadership potential and work experience, and the requirement is a significant point. Applications typically open around August and close in October or November, so check the official dates now.
If you are going to Germany for a master’s or PhD
Look at DAAD programmes and, once you are enrolled, the Deutschlandstipendium. See our guides to scholarships in Germany and fully funded scholarships in Germany.
If you are going to Italy
Look at regional and university funding. See our guide to scholarships for Indian students in Italy.
If you want to study in Japan
MEXT is the main government route. Apply through the Embassy of Japan in India, and check the embassy’s current dates and eligibility, since they differ by category.
If you’re open to several countries
Combine a few country-specific scholarships with university awards for each of your shortlisted universities, and consider Indian foundations that fund study abroad. Keep a plan that works even if you don’t win one.
What to Check on Every Scholarship
- Who can apply: country, degree level, subject and work-experience rules.
- How to apply: directly, through a government nomination, through an embassy, or through your institution.
- What it covers: tuition, stipend, flights, insurance, visa fees, and any caps.
- Conditions: for example, a requirement to return to India after your studies.
- Deadlines: often well before the university deadline.
- English proficiency: whether a test is required, and the score.
For more on choosing, read our guides to how to choose the right scholarship, types of scholarships for Indian students and fully funded vs partial scholarships.
A Realistic Timeline
Start 12 to 15 months before your intended start date. Research scholarships and universities first, then prepare language tests and documents, and make a calendar of each provider’s deadlines. Some deadlines (such as Chevening’s and MEXT’s) fall many months before the course starts, and other awards depend on you having already enrolled. After you win an award, plan the visa steps.
Build a Balanced Plan
Rather than depending on one scholarship, apply to a mix: any government or country-level awards you qualify for, university awards at each shortlisted university, and foundation or external awards. There’s no magic number of applications, but a spread improves your options and means you aren’t left without a plan. Don’t take out debt or commit to a university on the assumption that you’ll win a scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which scholarship is best for Indian students?
There’s no single best one. It depends on your degree level, destination, field, work experience and finances.
Are fully funded scholarships better than university scholarships?
Not always. A smaller award at a university that suits your goals can be worth more than a larger one at a poor fit. Compare the whole cost, the course and your plans.
Can I apply for several scholarships at once?
Usually yes, as long as you meet each one’s rules. Check each provider’s terms in case there are conditions on holding more than one award.
Do scholarship benefits change every year?
Yes. Amounts, rules and deadlines change, so always check the provider’s current page.
Do I need to pay to apply?
No. Legitimate scholarships don’t charge application fees. Avoid anyone who guarantees a scholarship for a payment.
Conclusion
Scholarships can make study abroad affordable, but they’re competitive and have strict rules, so verify before you plan around one. If you’d like help shortlisting universities and funding options, start with career counselling at Eduvisor, or see our Study Abroad service.
