State-wise scholarships for international students in India provide funding through individual state government programmes — supplementing central government scholarships with state-level support for students studying at universities within that particular state.

India’s 28 states and 8 union territories each maintain their own higher education support structures — and many states with large international student enrolments or significant bilateral relationships with foreign countries offer dedicated scholarship and fee concession programmes for international students studying within state boundaries. Understanding state-level scholarship availability is critical for international students who have been admitted to state universities, private deemed universities in a specific state, or professional colleges under state government quota — as state scholarships often complement and stack with central government ICCR scholarships to provide maximum financial support. This guide covers the most significant state-level scholarship programmes available to international students in India by state.

State-Wise Scholarship Availability — Overview

State	Scholarship Programme	Target Students	Coverage Level
Karnataka	Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for International Students	SAARC and African students	Partial tuition support
Maharashtra	International Student Fee Concession Scheme	All international students	15–25% tuition reduction
Tamil Nadu	Chief Minister’s International Scholarship	ASEAN and African students	Partial tuition waiver
Delhi (Central)	Delhi University Merit International Award	Top-ranked applicants	Partial tuition waiver
Uttarakhand	Himalayan Nations Scholarship	Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet-origin	Partial tuition support
West Bengal	Rabindranath Tagore International Scholarship	SAARC and African students	Partial tuition waiver
Kerala	NORKA International Student Scheme	PIO/OCI and ASEAN students	Fee concession

Eligibility for State Scholarship Programmes

• Must be enrolled or seeking admission at a university or college within the specific state offering the scholarship
• Valid admission offer letter from a state university or state-recognised private institution
• Nationality requirements vary by state — most state programmes target SAARC countries, African nations, or ASEAN member states
• Minimum academic performance — typically 60 percent or above in most recent qualification
• Financial need documentation may be required for need-based state scholarship programmes
• Valid passport and Indian Student Visa (except Nepali students who are visa-exempt)
• No concurrent receipt of full central government scholarship for some state programmes — verify stacking rules

Karnataka — Leading State for International Scholarships

Karnataka is India’s most active state for international student scholarships — home to Bengaluru’s technology ecosystem, top private universities including Manipal Academy, Christ University, Jain University, and M.S. Ramaiah institutions, and a large international student population from Africa, ASEAN, and South Asia. The Karnataka state government offers the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for international students from SAARC countries and African nations — providing tuition fee support at state government and aided colleges. Bengaluru’s international universities additionally offer their own institutional scholarships independently of state government programmes — international students should check both state and university scholarship options when applying to Karnataka institutions.

Tamil Nadu — Medical and Engineering Focus

Tamil Nadu attracts a large number of international students — particularly for MBBS and engineering programmes at private medical and engineering colleges in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Vellore. The state government’s international student fee concession scheme applies to students from ASEAN countries and selected African nations studying at government-aided institutions. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), SRM University, and Saveetha Medical College in Tamil Nadu all offer institutional scholarships for international students with strong academic records — often covering 20 to 50 percent of tuition fees for merit-based applicants from specific countries. Tamil Nadu’s state government coordinates international student support through the Tamil Nadu State Overseas Development Corporation (TANSODEC).

Maharashtra — Large International Student Population

Maharashtra — home to Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik university clusters — hosts one of India’s largest international student populations. Pune in particular is known as the Oxford of the East and attracts thousands of international students annually for engineering, management, IT, and social sciences programmes. The Maharashtra state government offers fee concession structures for international students at state universities including Pune University, Mumbai University, and RTMNU Nagpur. Symbiosis International University in Pune — one of India’s premier private universities — offers dedicated international student merit scholarships covering 20 to 100 percent of tuition for high-performing applicants from specific bilateral agreement countries.

Uttarakhand — Gateway for Himalayan Nation Students

Uttarakhand is a particularly important state for students from Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibetan communities — its geographic proximity to the Himalayas, cultural affinity with Himalayan nations, and large number of private universities in Dehradun, Haridwar, and Roorkee make it a popular and accessible destination for students from India’s northern neighbours. Graphic Era University, DIT University, Uttaranchal University, and several other Dehradun-based institutions offer dedicated scholarship programmes for Nepali and Bhutanese students. Uttarakhand’s relatively lower cost of living compared to Delhi or Mumbai makes it a financially attractive study base for international students from neighbouring countries with limited financial resources.

How To Find and Apply for State Scholarships

• Step 1 – Verify Eligibility: Read the official scholarship guidelines carefully — confirm you meet nationality, academic, and age requirements before starting the application process.
• Step 2 – Collect Documents: Gather academic transcripts, passport, birth certificate, bank statements, language certificate (if required), and passport-size photographs.
• Step 3 – Attest and Translate: Get all documents attested by your home country’s Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy. Non-English documents must be translated.
• Step 4 – Register Online: Create an account and apply through the state government scholarship portal or the international admissions office of your chosen Indian institution. Fill all sections accurately — incomplete applications are rejected without review.
• Step 5 – Recommendation Letters: Obtain letters from academic supervisors or professors on official letterhead well before the deadline.
• Step 6 – Statement of Purpose: Write a clear SOP explaining your academic goals, research interests, and reasons for choosing India as your study destination.
• Step 7 – Track Your Application: Log in to the portal regularly — respond promptly to any requests for additional documents or interview calls.
• Step 8 – Student Visa: After scholarship confirmation, apply for Indian Student Visa (S Visa) at your nearest Indian Embassy with the scholarship offer letter.

Tips for Maximising State Scholarship Benefits

• Apply well before deadlines — Indian scholarship portals typically open 3 to 4 months before the academic year
• All documents must be attested and translated into English — unattested documents cause disqualification
• Never pay any agent or middleman fee — all Indian government scholarships are free to apply through official portals
• Student Visa (S Visa) requires the official scholarship offer letter from the Indian institution
• Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria may change annually — always verify on the official portal
• Contact the Indian Embassy or High Commission in your country for free official guidance
• Shortlisted candidates may be called for interview — prepare a strong academic and personal introduction
• Apply for state scholarships simultaneously with ICCR applications — the two can often be stacked for maximum coverage
• Contact the international student cell at your specific Indian institution — they maintain the most current information on available state and institutional scholarships
• State scholarship deadlines are often earlier than central government scholarship deadlines — check state portals independently

Combining State and Central Scholarships

The most financially advantageous strategy for international students in India is to combine ICCR central scholarship coverage with available state-level fee concessions and university institutional scholarships — creating a layered scholarship package that may cover 80 to 100 percent of total education costs. Many international students successfully receive ICCR tuition and stipend coverage alongside state government fee concessions at their host institution, effectively eliminating all direct education costs. Students who receive full ICCR coverage should still apply for state and institutional scholarships that offer additional benefits not covered by ICCR — such as laboratory fees, exam fees, or course material allowances that the ICCR central scholarship may not include in its standard coverage package.

Academic Life and Living in India

India offers international students a uniquely diverse and enriching experience — universities span ancient heritage cities like Varanasi and Mysuru, cosmopolitan metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, and growing education hubs like Pune, Manipal, and Vellore. English is the primary medium of instruction at virtually all universities offering international programmes, making India one of the most accessible study destinations in Asia for students from non-English-speaking countries across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia.

India’s cost of living for international students is among the lowest of any major higher education destination globally — accommodation, food, local transport, and daily expenses are significantly below equivalent costs in the UK, USA, Australia, or Canada. Students receiving stipend or living allowance components from Indian scholarships can typically live comfortably without additional family financial support, making Indian scholarships particularly valuable for students from lower-income backgrounds. University campuses across India provide hostel accommodation, mess facilities, libraries, sports complexes, and student support services specifically for international students.

India’s Student Visa (S Visa) is processed through the Indian Embassy in the student’s home country — the process requires an admission letter, scholarship offer letter, financial proof, and completed application form. International students must register with the Foreigners Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of arrival in India — a mandatory requirement that university international student offices guide incoming scholarship recipients through during orientation. India’s multicultural university campuses, affordable lifestyle, and world-class academic infrastructure make it one of the most complete international study experiences available at low personal cost anywhere in the world.

Documents Required for State Scholarship Applications

• Valid passport with minimum 12 months remaining validity from the application date
• Academic transcripts — all qualifications with certified English translations
• Attestation from home country Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy or High Commission
• Police clearance certificate issued within 6 months of application — from national police authority
• Medical fitness certificate from an approved medical authority
• Birth certificate — attested and translated into English
• Passport-size photographs — 6 to 10 photographs on white background as per application guidelines
• Bank statement showing adequate financial support for initial travel and settlement expenses
• Language proficiency certificate — IELTS, TOEFL, or English-medium schooling letter
• Statement of Purpose in English — academic background, goals, and reasons for choosing India
• Two recommendation letters from academic supervisors on official institutional letterhead

Application Timeline and Deadlines

India’s academic year begins in July or August — scholarship applications typically open between October and February for the following intake. ICCR and state scholarship portals — both open between October and March Applications usually close in February or March, with results announced between April and June. Students who receive scholarship confirmation in May or June must act quickly to complete visa applications and travel arrangements — the Indian Student Visa process takes 3 to 6 weeks at most Indian Embassies. Students are strongly advised to apply to multiple programmes simultaneously rather than relying on a single application, as competition is significant.

University institutional scholarship applications vary — contact the international admissions office of your specific institution for deadlines and procedures. Maintaining a strong academic record, preparing a compelling Statement of Purpose, and securing strong recommendation letters are the most effective steps applicants can take to maximise scholarship selection success. Always verify directly with the state scholarship authority or university whether receiving an ICCR scholarship affects eligibility for simultaneous state scholarship receipt. Contact the Indian Embassy in your country for free guidance on the current scholarship cycle — Embassy education desks maintain up-to-date information on available programmes, quota allocations, and application deadlines that may not always be reflected accurately on third-party scholarship information websites. Keep copies of all application submissions and correspondence — state scholarship processes sometimes involve multiple government offices and document tracking is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international students receive both ICCR scholarship and a state scholarship simultaneously?

In most cases yes — ICCR scholarship covers tuition and stipend at the central level, while state scholarship programmes typically cover supplementary fees or provide additional living support. However, stacking rules vary by state and institution — some programmes specifically prohibit simultaneous receipt of multiple scholarship types. Always verify the stacking policy directly with both the state scholarship authority and the ICCR programme coordinator at your host institution before accepting multiple scholarship awards.

How do I find out if my state of study has a scholarship programme?

Contact the international student admissions office of your chosen Indian institution directly — they maintain current and accurate information on all state and institutional scholarship programmes available to incoming international students. Additionally, the Indian Embassy in your home country maintains updated lists of state scholarship programmes available to students from your country at institutions in each state. State government websites also publish scholarship notification in their higher education department portals — though these can sometimes be slow to update.

Are state scholarships available for MBBS international students in India?

Several states with large private medical college concentrations — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh — offer fee concession or scholarship programmes for international MBBS students, particularly for students from SAARC countries and African nations. These state medical scholarship programmes are separate from the National Medical Commission’s NRI quota fee structure and the ICCR scholarship — international MBBS students should investigate all three funding sources simultaneously when planning medical education financing in India.

Conclusion

State-wise scholarships for international students in India provide an additional layer of financial support that significantly complements the Indian government’s central scholarship programmes — and in many cases allows international students to cover their complete education and living costs through a combination of ICCR, state, and university scholarship awards. Research state-specific programmes for the state where your chosen institution is located, contact the institution’s international student office directly, and apply to all available scholarship layers simultaneously to build the strongest possible funding package for your Indian education journey.