Many Nepali students know about the ICCR Scholarship, but ICCR is not the only India-backed scholarship route. As of May 24, 2026, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu is listing several scholarship schemes for the academic year 2026–27 that go beyond the standard ICCR stream.
If you are planning to study in India, this matters because different scholarship schemes target different subjects, degree levels, and student profiles. Some are highly specialized, and some may be more relevant than ICCR depending on your academic background.
Does ICCR cover everything?
No. ICCR is one of the biggest and most visible scholarship channels, but it does not cover every India-supported scholarship opportunity announced for Nepali students. The official Embassy scholarship page currently lists multiple schemes separately, each with its own eligibility, field focus, and application process.
Current India Embassy / Government scholarship announcements for Nepali students
Based on the official Embassy of India scholarship updates page, these are some of the notable schemes currently listed:
1. Dr. Homi Jahangir Bhabha Scholarship Scheme (HJBSS) for ME/M.Tech
This scheme is aimed at students seeking ME/M.Tech study opportunities. It was listed by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu on May 14, 2026. For engineering students, this is one of the most important non-ICCR scholarship notices currently available.
2. Nepal Aid Fund (NAF) Scholarship Scheme for M.Sc. Agriculture
This scholarship is specifically for M.Sc. (Agriculture) for the academic year 2026–27. It was listed on May 11, 2026. Students from agriculture and related academic backgrounds should pay close attention to this, because it is more specialized than general scholarship schemes.
3. SAARC Scholarship Scheme for B.Sc. Hospitality & Hotel Management
This scheme was listed on May 9, 2026 and is relevant for students interested in hospitality and hotel management. It is another example of why students should not stop at ICCR alone.
4. MEA–Forest Research Institute (FRI) Scholarship Scheme
The Embassy page also lists the MEA-Forest Research Institute (FRI) Scholarship Scheme for academic session 2026–2028, posted on April 23, 2026. This may be relevant to students in forestry, environmental, and related applied science areas.
5. AYUSH Scholarship Scheme 2026–27
The Embassy scholarship page lists the AYUSH Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2026–27 and notes that the last date to apply was extended until May 31, 2026. This is particularly relevant for students interested in AYUSH-related fields such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy streams, depending on the scheme guidelines.
6. ICCR Scholarships Alert 2026–27
ICCR is still a major route, and the Embassy page includes an ICCR Scholarships Alert for the academic year 2026–27, posted on March 5, 2026. But the key point is that ICCR is only one part of the larger scholarship landscape.
Why this matters for Nepali students
A lot of students search only for “ICCR scholarship Nepal” and miss other India-supported opportunities that may actually fit them better. If your goal is to study in India, you should look at:
- your degree level
- your subject area
- whether the scholarship is specialized
- application deadlines and Embassy instructions
For example:
- engineering students may fit better under HJBSS
- agriculture students may fit better under NAF
- hospitality students may find the SAARC scholarship more relevant
- traditional medicine and allied field students may benefit from AYUSH
Where to check the official announcements
The safest source is the official Embassy of India, Kathmandu scholarship updates page, which lists current scholarship notices and dates. Students should always verify eligibility, required documents, and deadlines directly from the official Embassy notice before applying.
Official source:
Embassy of India, Kathmandu — Scholarships
Official Embassy Scholarship Links
Use these official Embassy of India, Kathmandu links to verify eligibility, deadlines, and application instructions:
- Dr. Homi Jahangir Bhabha Scholarship Scheme (HJBSS) for ME/M.Tech
- Nepal Aid Fund (NAF) Scholarship Scheme for M.Sc. Agriculture
- SAARC Scholarship Scheme for B.Sc. Hospitality & Hotel Management
- MEA–Forest Research Institute (FRI) Scholarship Scheme
- AYUSH Scholarship Scheme 2026–27
- ICCR Scholarships Alert 2026–27
- Embassy of India, Kathmandu Scholarship Updates Page
Final takeaway
If you thought ICCR covers all India scholarships for Nepali students, that is not correct. The Embassy’s official 2026 scholarship listings show multiple separate schemes, each serving different programs and student groups.
If you are planning to study in India, it is smart to treat ICCR as one route, not the only route.