The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), an autonomous organization under the ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was established with the primary objective of strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and other countries. Under the ICCR Scholarship scheme, the courses offered are under graduation, Post-graduation, and PHD. In any academic year, ICCR supports about 7000 foreign students who study at various Central/State University, institutes, NITs, and Agricultural institutes. Students have a wide range of options to choose from in terms of courses such as engineering, pharmacy, accountancy, business administration, management, and culture related courses such as Indian dance, music, painting, and sculpture, etc.
The Scholarship benefits include stipend (encompassing living allowance, hostel fee/house rent allowance, annual contingency allowance, and thesis charges) and tuition and other compulsory fee, which is paid directly to the university/institutes.
To apply for your desired course through ICCR, visit the A2A portal also known as Admissions to Alumni Portal. The portal contains all relevant information regarding ICCR-sponsored scholarship schemes and other information like list/details of the Indian universities, courses offered by them and guidelines of scholarship schemes.
ICCR offers more than 21 Schemes for international students. However, only these scholarship schemes are applicable to Nepalese students.
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (ICCR) (formerly General Scholarship Scheme): This scholarship is applicable to 122 countries including Nepal. In the year 2022-23, 630 slots were available, and courses offered were UG, PG, and Ph.D.
- Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme (ICCR) (formerly known as ICCR scholarship scheme for Dance and Music): This scholarship is applicable to nationals of all countries to pursue courses in dance, music, Indian theatre, and others. Around 100 slots were available under this scheme in the year 2022-23.
- Silver Jubilee Scholarship Scheme: This scholarship is for the national of Nepal. This scheme offers PG and Ph.D. courses only. In the year 2022-23, only 64 slots were available.
- AYUSH Scholarship Scheme for BIMSTEC Countries (MEA): This scholarship is applicable to nationals of 6 countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand to pursue courses in Indian traditional medical systems AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy). This scholarship offers UG, PG, Ph.D. Courses.
Scholarship Application Process
It is quite easy to apply through ICCR as the application process is completely online. The Application process is as mentioned below:
Step 1: Get your Citizenship and Passport Ready.
Step 2: Get all your academic transcripts of your Grade 10, 11 and 12.
Step 3: After the A2A portal www.a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in is open, register yourself at the ICCR portal by visiting the A2A website.
Step 4: Login into the A2A portal and fill all the required details and upload necessary documents. You will also require writing a 500-word essay in English to show your proficiency in English language. You can also submit TOEFL/IELTS Scoresheet; however, this is only optional.
Step 5: Choose your desired course and University. You can choose to apply at no more than 5 universities through ICCR.
Step 6: you should deposit application fee of NRs. 400/- in favor of Education Wing, Embassy of India, Kathmandu in Account No. 17725240200331 at any branch of Nepal SBI, located in Nepal. After deposit of application fee, the applicant should write online application registration number and his/her name on the top of the counterfoil/receipt for identification.
Step 7: Thereafter, you should submit the original counterfoil along with the copy of the application uploaded online directly to (i) the Embassy of India, Kathmandu (all the districts except the districts mentioned under the Consulate General of India, Birgunj); or (ii) Consulate General of India, Birgunj (for those hailing from districts – Bara, Chitwan, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Makwanpur, Parsa, Rautahat & Sarlahi), as the case may be. Application fee once deposited will not be refunded or adjusted.
Step 8: After submitting your application, if your application is accepted by the university, you will be sent an offer by the month of June.
Step 9: Accept your offer by the month of July.
Important Information:
The Applications for the ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (2024-25) and SUSHMA SWARAJ SILVER JUBILEE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (2024-25) for the academic year 2024-25 are open for Nepali nationals to study in Indian Universities. The last date of submission for these scholarships is May 31, 2024.
The above schemes do not include the courses on Medical / Paramedical (Nursing / Physiotherapy / Anesthesia etc.) / Fashion/Law Courses/Integrated courses such as BALLB (5 Years)/ B.Sc. & M.Sc. (5years) etc.
Candidates applying for B.Sc., BE / B.Tech. courses may please ensure that they have taken Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (PCM) in their School Leaving examinations as this is mandatory criteria for these courses. Mark sheets issued by the respective education board for each i.e., level 10 and 10+2 level of school should be uploaded along with the transcripts in English. Mark-sheets not reflecting the grades/marks of the students will not be accepted.
Please visit the Indian Embassy’s website for more detail.
