ICCR and Embassy of India Scholarships for Nepali Students: How to Apply

Nepali students have two main government routes to a scholarship in India: schemes announced by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, and ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships applied for through the A2A (Admissions to Alumni) portal. Private universities also offer merit waivers. Here is how each works and how to give yourself the best chance.

Embassy of India Kathmandu scholarships

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu has run scholarship schemes for Nepali students for many years, at school-leaving, undergraduate and postgraduate level, and in some years these have included seats in engineering, medicine and other professional courses. Scheme names, numbers of awards, eligibility and deadlines change, so treat the embassy's official notice for the current year as the only reliable source.

ICCR scholarships for Nepali students

ICCR runs scholarship schemes for international students at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level, and Nepal has been covered by them. You apply online through the A2A portal, choosing preferred universities and courses, and ICCR coordinates admission with them. Scholarships typically cover tuition and a living allowance, though benefits depend on the scheme.

• Check that the scheme covers Nepal for the current year.
• Applications usually open early in the calendar year for the session starting mid-year.
• Professional courses such as medicine are generally excluded from general ICCR schemes; check the current list.
• Your application may be routed through the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

Comparing the options

Eligibility checklist

1. 1Nepali citizenship.
2. 2A strong NEB Grade 12 record (or your bachelors for postgraduate study).
3. 3The course's subject requirements, for example Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Biology for science and technical programmes.
4. 4A qualifying NEET-UG score for any MBBS or BDS seat, plus Nepal's eligibility certificate for medical study abroad.
5. 5Age limits where specified in the scheme notice.

A realistic timeline

1. 1Autumn of Grade 12: start following the Embassy of India Kathmandu and ICCR A2A, and scan your documents.
2. 2Winter: draft your statement of purpose and choose your course and three to five university preferences.
3. 3When windows open: submit early rather than on the last day, when portals are slow.
4. 4After NEB results: upload them if the scheme allows provisional applications.
5. 5Selection period: keep self-funded applications active so you have a confirmed seat either way.

Documents to prepare

• Nepali passport or citizenship certificate, scanned clearly in colour.
• SEE and NEB Grade 11 and 12 mark sheets, or provisional results where final ones are not yet out.
• Character certificate from your school or college.
• Recent passport-size photograph in the specified format.
• Statement of purpose in English, usually one page.
• Medical fitness certificate when requested at the selection stage.

Use the same spelling of your name and date of birth on every document, matching your citizenship certificate. Small inconsistencies, including BS and AD date conversions, are a common reason applications are queried.

Making your application stronger

• Pick university preferences realistically: one or two ambitious choices plus several where your marks clearly qualify.
• Write a short, specific statement of purpose that links the course to a concrete plan in Nepal.
• Apply to self-funded options in parallel, so a missed scholarship does not cost you a year.

A weak statement says the student loves India and wants a good education. A strong one names the course, links it to something you have done (for example, a Grade 12 project on micro-hydro), names the skill the course adds and describes a concrete plan, such as working on rural electrification in Nepal. Specific, honest, short statements stand out.

Common mistakes

• Paying a consultancy to submit an application that is free to submit yourself.
• Choosing only the most famous universities as preferences, which reduces your chance of placement.
• Uploading unclear scans or documents with inconsistent name spellings.
• Missing bond or return conditions in the scheme notice.
• Having no backup plan when the result comes late or is negative.

These schemes suit students with strong NEB results who apply on time and are flexible about where they are placed. If you are set on one specific private university, its own merit waiver is often the more reliable route.

Find Indian programmes that match your scholarship plans and apply online for free on Admission Bravo.