ICCR Scholarships: How ASEAN Students Apply to Study in India

What ICCR scholarships cover

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) runs scholarship schemes that pay for foreign students to study at Indian universities and institutes. ASEAN nationals qualify under the same general schemes open to applicants worldwide, since ICCR scholarships carry no ASEAN-specific quota or restriction.

Two schemes matter most for ASEAN students. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (A1201) funds any undergraduate, postgraduate or research-level course at an Indian university or institute, with 640 slots offered globally for the 2025-26 academic year . The Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarship Scheme (A1209) funds study of Indian classical arts specifically: dance, music, theatre, sculpture, Indian languages and Indian cuisine, with 100 slots offered globally for the same cycle.

Eligibility

Age limit is 18-40 years for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants under both schemes, while applicants for research/PhD-level study under the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme (A1201) may apply up to age 50. You need academic qualifications matching the level you apply for: a completed secondary certificate for undergraduate entry, a bachelor's degree for postgraduate entry, and so on, plus certified English translations for any documents not already in English.

ICCR requires minimum medical insurance coverage of INR 5 lakh per year for the full scholarship period. Build this into your budget before you apply, since missing this requirement blocks final enrollment even after ICCR approves your scholarship.

How to apply

ICCR runs applications through its A2A Scholarship Portal at a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in . For the 2025-26 cycle, the portal opened on February 20, 2025 and closed on April 30, 2025. Each year's window opens and closes on its own dates, so check the portal directly rather than assume the same calendar dates repeat.

1. Create an account on the A2A portal and fill in your personal, academic and program preference details.

2. Upload certified copies of your academic transcripts, passport, photograph and any required English translations.

3. Select your preferred course and a limited number of Indian institutions, in order of preference.

4. Submit before the portal deadline. Late submissions do not get processed.

5. Track your application status through the portal and respond promptly to any request for additional documents.

Your nearest Indian Embassy or High Commission handles part of the process too. ASEAN countries with a resident Indian mission, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei and Timor-Leste, publish their own ICCR scholarship notices each cycle. Check your local mission's website alongside the national portal, since missions sometimes clarify country-specific document requirements or interview steps.

Choosing a course and institution

The general scheme covers essentially any field taught at a participating Indian university, from engineering and medicine to humanities and business. ICCR does not guarantee placement at your first-choice institution. It matches you based on your qualifications, course availability and the institution's own admission requirements, so list several acceptable options rather than a single preferred university.

For arts and culture study, the Lata Mangeshkar scheme places students at institutions known for the specific discipline, such as classical dance academies or music conservatories. Research which Indian institutions specialize in your discipline before you submit your preferences, since this scheme places heavy weight on institutional fit.

Documents to prepare before the portal opens

• Passport valid well beyond your expected course end date

• Certified transcripts and certificates for every qualification you list, translated into English where needed

• A clear statement of purpose explaining your chosen field and why you want to study it in India

• Proof of medical insurance meeting the INR 5 lakh minimum, or evidence you can arrange it before enrollment

• Recent passport-style photographs in the format the portal specifies

Gathering these documents before the application window opens saves time once the portal goes live, since the window between opening and deadline typically runs a matter of weeks, not months.

After you are selected

Once ICCR confirms your scholarship, you receive an offer letter that supports your Indian student visa application. Apply for your visa through indianvisaonline.gov.in using your ICCR offer letter and admission confirmation. From the 2025-26 academic year, all foreign students must also register on the Study in India Portal and quote their Unique ID during the visa application, a step that applies to ICCR scholars as well as self-funded students.

Budget for costs ICCR scholarships do not always cover in full, such as travel to India, initial settling-in expenses, and coursework materials beyond the standard allowance. Confirm exactly what your scholarship letter includes (tuition, stipend, accommodation) before you commit to travel dates.

A1201 versus A1209 at a glance

Since ICCR sets a fixed number of slots each cycle across every applicant country, competition varies by how many students from your country and course area apply that year. A strong, specific statement of purpose tied to your chosen field improves your chances more than a generic application, since reviewers use it to judge fit with your listed institutions.

Renewing your scholarship each year

ICCR scholarships renew annually based on your academic performance and attendance record at your host institution. Falling below the pass mark set by your university, or accumulating unauthorized absence, puts renewal at risk. Keep your institution's international office informed of any academic difficulty early, rather than waiting until a renewal review flags it.