India is the most accessible international study destination for Nepali students — and not just because of geography. The Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship means Nepali students do not need a student visa to study in India. Combined with approximately 1,500 government scholarship seats per year from the Indian government, India offers more structured scholarship opportunities for Nepali students than almost any other country.
The Most Important Fact First — No Visa Required
Unlike studying in the UK, Australia, or Canada, Nepali students do not need a student visa to study in India. You can travel freely and enrol at Indian universities with just your Nepali citizenship certificate and passport. This eliminates the visa cost, processing time, and financial proof requirements that make Western study destinations expensive to access.
Government of India Scholarships for Nepali Students — Overview
The Indian government provides approximately 1,500 scholarships and seats per year to Nepali nationals through the Embassy of India, Kathmandu, administered through ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations). These cover everything from undergraduate engineering to PhD, music, agriculture, and traditional medicine (AYUSH).
All ICCR scholarship applications are submitted through the A2A Portal: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
ICCR Scholarship Schemes for Nepali Students (2026/27)
1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (ABVGSS)
- Level: Undergraduate (bachelor’s degree)
- Coverage: Tuition fees, monthly stipend, accommodation allowance, and other allowances as per ICCR guidelines
- Fields: Wide range — Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Management, Sciences, Arts, and more at prominent Indian universities
- 2026-27 deadline: April 15, 2026 (portal open from February 27, 2026)
- Apply at: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
- Important: The course and institute allocated under this scheme cannot be changed after allocation — research your preferred university carefully before submitting preferences
2. Silver Jubilee Scholarship Scheme (SJSS / Sushma Swaraj SJSS)
- Level: Postgraduate (master’s) and PhD
- Coverage: Tuition, stipend, accommodation and allowances as per ICCR norms
- Fields: Postgraduate and doctoral programmes across all disciplines at Indian universities
- Apply at: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
3. COMPEX Scholarship Scheme
- Level: Undergraduate
- Fields: Engineering, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Food Technology, and Nursing — specifically technical and professional programmes
- Coverage: Full or partial tuition fees depending on institution
- Who applies: Nepali nationals with strong academic background in science subjects at +2 level
- Apply at: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
4. AYUSH Scholarship Scheme
- Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate
- Fields: Traditional medicine systems — Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH)
- 2026-27 status: ✅ Currently open — last date May 31, 2026
- Apply at: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
5. Homi Jahangir Baba Scholarship Scheme
- Level: Master’s in Engineering
- Fields: Engineering disciplines at Indian universities (including IITs and NITs)
- Apply at: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
6. Nepal Aid Fund Scholarship
- Level: Master’s in Agriculture and allied disciplines
- Fields: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, and related sciences
- Apply at: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
7. SAARC Scholarship — BSc Hospitality and Hotel Management
- Level: Undergraduate
- Fields: BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Management specifically
- Coverage: Full tuition and living expenses
- Eligibility: SAARC nationals including Nepal
- 2026-27 status: Check Embassy of India, Kathmandu for current notice
8. MEA-FRI Scholarship — MSc Forestry
- Level: Master’s (2 years)
- Fields: Forestry and Allied Programmes at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun
- 2026-28 cycle: Check Embassy of India, Kathmandu or CGI Birgunj for current notice
Application Deadlines — 2026/27 ICCR Schemes
| Scholarship | Level | 2026/27 Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABVGSS (General) | Undergraduate | April 15, 2026 | Closed |
| SJSS (Postgraduate) | Master’s / PhD | April 15, 2026 | Closed |
| COMPEX | Undergraduate (Engineering etc.) | April 15, 2026 | Closed |
| AYUSH | UG / PG (Traditional Medicine) | May 31, 2026 | ✅ Open now |
| Homi Jahangir Baba | Master’s (Engineering) | April 15, 2026 | Closed |
| Nepal Aid Fund | Master’s (Agriculture) | April 15, 2026 | Closed |
| SAARC HHM | Undergraduate (Hotel Management) | Check Embassy notice | Check Embassy |
| MEA-FRI Forestry | Master’s (Forestry) | Check Embassy notice | Check Embassy |
⚠️ All ICCR scholarship applications open approximately in February each year and close in April–May. Monitor the Embassy of India Kathmandu website at indembkathmandu.gov.in from January onwards for the 2027-28 cycle announcements.
How to Apply for ICCR Scholarships
- Register on the A2A Portal: Create an account at a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
- Select your scholarship scheme and choose up to your preferred universities and courses. Research each university’s specific eligibility and admission criteria before submitting preferences — ICCR explicitly warns that course/institute allocations cannot be changed after the fact.
- Write your 500-word essay in English on the given topic — required for most ICCR schemes
- Upload required documents:
- Nepali citizenship certificate
- Passport (if applicable)
- Academic transcripts (all levels — SEE, +2, bachelor’s if applying for PG)
- Marks certificates
- Medical fitness certificate
- Passport-size photographs
- Submit before the deadline. The portal closes on the specified date — no extensions.
- Selection and allotment: Successful candidates are notified through the portal and by the Embassy. Contact the Indian Embassy after May for updates on scholarship allotment.
University Merit Scholarships for Nepali Students in India
Beyond government ICCR schemes, most reputed Indian universities offer merit-based scholarships for international students including Nepali nationals:
- IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology): Fee waivers and assistantships for postgraduate and doctoral students — highly competitive. Entry through JEE Advanced (undergraduate) or GATE (postgraduate engineering).
- NITs (National Institutes of Technology): Subsidised government-institution fees plus merit scholarships. Entry through JEE Main.
- AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences): MBBS at India’s most prestigious medical schools through NEET UG. AIIMS seats are heavily subsidised for SAARC nationals.
- Private universities (Manipal, SRM, Amity, VIT etc.): Most offer SAARC/Nepal-specific fee waivers or merit scholarships for board exam toppers or entrance exam rank holders. Contact the international admissions office of your target university directly for current scholarship terms.
Study in India — Key Practical Information
- No visa required: Nepali citizens travel to India on their citizenship certificate or passport — no student visa needed
- Language: Most undergraduate programmes at major universities are taught in English. Some state universities use Hindi as the medium of instruction — confirm before applying
- Cost of living: Significantly lower than the UK, Australia, or Canada. Monthly costs in major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): INR 15,000–25,000 (approximately NPR 24,000–40,000) for accommodation, food, and transport
- MBBS in India for Nepali students: Nepali students can appear in NEET for MBBS admission. MoEST NOC is required before enrolling in a medical programme in India. NMC (Nepal Medical Council) recognises MBBS degrees from recognised Indian medical colleges — verify the specific institution’s recognition before enrolling
- Entrance exams: JEE Main/Advanced (engineering), NEET (medical), CAT/MAT (MBA), GATE (postgraduate engineering) — Nepali students can appear in all these examinations
Useful Links
- ICCR A2A Scholarship Portal: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
- Embassy of India, Kathmandu (scholarship notices): indembkathmandu.gov.in
- CGI Birgunj (additional scholarship notices): cgibirgunj.gov.in
- ICCR Official Website: iccr.gov.in
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