The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has officially announced its flagship scholarship schemes for the academic year 2025-26. These scholarships aim to strengthen cultural and educational ties by offering international students the opportunity to pursue Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Ph.D. programs in Indian universities and institutes.
ICCR Scholarship Scheme 2025-26 – Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of Authority | Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) |
| Academic Year | 2025-26 |
| Application Portal | A2A Scholarship Portal |
| Application Start Date | 20 February 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 April 2025 |
| Eligible Courses | UG, PG, and Ph.D. in General & Indian Culture streams |
| Scholarship Coverage | Tuition, living expenses, visa support, airfare (varies by scheme) |
| Medical Insurance | Mandatory (min. ₹5 Lakh per annum) |
| Eligibility Age | UG/PG: 18–40 years, PhD: up to 50 years |
List of ICCR Scholarships 2025-26
1. Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (A1201)
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Slots Available: 640 globally
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Courses Covered: UG, PG, and PhD in mainstream disciplines (Science, Arts, Commerce, Engineering, etc.)
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Institutes: Recognized Indian Universities and Institutes
2. Lata Mangeshkar Dance & Music Scholarship Scheme (A1209)
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Slots Available: 100 globally
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Courses Covered: Indian culture studies (Music, Dance, Theatre, Indian Cuisine, Sculpture, etc.)
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Institutes: Institutes of Indian culture recognized by ICCR
Application Timeline 2025-26
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Portal Opening | 20 February 2025 |
| Application Submission Deadline | 30 April 2025 |
| University Decision Deadline | 31 May 2025 |
| ICCR Offer Letters Issued | 15 June 2025 |
| Student Confirmation Deadline | 22 June 2025 |
| Second-Round Offers (if applicable) | 01 July 2025 |
| Second-Round Acceptance Deadline | 10 July 2025 |
Eligibility Criteria
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Must be an international student from a country covered under ICCR
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Must meet university-specific academic requirements
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For UG/PG: Age between 18 to 40 years
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For PhD: Age up to 50 years
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Must have strong proficiency in English (IELTS/TOEFL recommended but not mandatory)
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Must upload translated documents if originals are not in English
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Medical insurance coverage of at least ₹5,00,000 per year is mandatory
How to Apply for ICCR Scholarship 2025-26
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Visit the official portal: a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in
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Click on “Apply” and create a student profile.
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Select preferred course and university/institute.
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Upload required documents (translated into English if needed).
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Submit the complete application before the deadline.
Important Notes for Applicants
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Visit university websites before applying to check course details and eligibility.
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Ensure all documents are correct and translated into English.
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Incomplete or incorrect applications may be rejected without notice.
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Once selected, students must also register on the SII Portal to obtain Unique ID for visa and FRRO purposes.
Contact for Queries
Programme Officer (Scholarships)
Smt. Hemlata Bansal
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +91-11-23379199 / 23379309/10/14 Ext.1137
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the last date to apply for the ICCR Scholarship 2025-26?
A: 30 April 2025 is the final submission deadline.
Q: What expenses are covered under the ICCR scholarship?
A: Tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and sometimes airfare (varies by scheme); medical insurance is mandatory and must be arranged by the student.
Q: How can I track the status of my ICCR application?
A: Login to a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in and check under your profile dashboard.
Q: Can I apply for more than one university under ICCR?
A: Yes, you can list multiple preferences in order of priority during your application.