Imagine studying at one of India’s top universities with all your tuition, living costs, and even airfare covered. The ICCR Scholarship Scheme 2026-2027 opens doors for African students to do just that. This program from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations helps students from countries like Ghana pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD studies in fields from science to arts.
Overview of the ICCR Scholarship Scheme
The ICCR Scholarship Scheme 2026-2027 supports students across 131 Indian universities and institutes. It builds ties between India and other nations, especially Africa, through education. Two main tracks stand out for the 2026-2027 year.
India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme
This track targets African students to boost India-Africa links. For example, Ghana has 70 slots available. It covers undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs in STEM fields like science, technology, engineering, and math, plus non-STEM areas.
Medical, paramedical courses, law, and integrated degrees do not qualify. Students can focus on subjects that match their career goals without those limits.
Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme
This scheme promotes Indian culture worldwide with 100 slots total. Seventy-five go to cultural studies such as dance, music, theatre, sculpture, Indian languages, and cuisine at undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD levels. The other 25 slots offer a one-year diploma in yoga at key institutes.
Yoga options include Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya in Uttarakhand, Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute in Maharashtra, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga in New Delhi, and Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana in Bangalore. Slots fill on a first-come, first-served basis with limits per country.
Financial Coverage and Benefits
The scholarship pays for everything key to your studies. You get return economy class airfare from home to India and back. Full tuition fees come next, along with a monthly stipend for living costs.
Expect free campus hostel or assigned housing, plus allowances for contingencies and thesis work. House rent allowance applies if needed. This setup lets you study without money worries.
Costs Not Covered
Some expenses fall on you. These include hostel or private housing fees in certain cases, food and mess charges, security deposits, registration fees, penalties, certification costs, and immigration fees. Plan ahead for these to avoid surprises.
Eligibility Criteria
You need to be from an eligible country like Ghana or other African nations. Hold a passport valid for at least two years from July 1, 2026. Age limits are 18 minimum, up to 35 for undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma, and 40 for PhD.
Prove English skills with an essay, TOEFL, or IELTS. Meet academic needs for your course, like science subjects in high school for STEM paths.
Academic Restrictions
Watch for limits on programs. No B.Tech at IITs. Skip medical, paramedical like nursing or physiotherapy, and integrated degrees like BALLB. Ayurveda, yoga, or Unani have separate AYUSH scholarships.
Medical Fitness Requirements
Stay in good health, both physical and mental. Submit a certified medical report. Expect extra checks when you arrive in India. Issues here could cancel your spot, with return costs on you.
Important Dates
Mark these on your calendar. Applications open February 27, 2026, and close April 15, 2026. Universities decide admissions by April 30, 2026. Scholarship spots finalize by May 15, 2026, with acceptance due the same day.
Why Apply for the ICCR Scholarship
This program offers more than money. Gain world-class education, meet people from everywhere, and dive into India’s culture. Build networks for future jobs in growing fields. For African students, it means real steps toward a global career. Apply at the official portal to start your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICCR Scholarship Scheme 2026-2027?
It is a program by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations that covers tuition, living costs, and airfare for African students to study undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD programs at top Indian universities.
Who can apply for the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship?
African students from countries like Ghana, aged 18-35 for most programs or up to 40 for PhD, with a valid passport and English proficiency.
What costs does the scholarship cover?
It includes return airfare, full tuition, monthly stipend, housing, and allowances, but you pay for food, deposits, and some fees.
When is the application deadline for 2026-2027?
Applications open on February 27, 2026, and close on April 15, 2026; final selections happen by May 15, 2026.