The High Commission of India in Colombo has announced the opening of applications for 200 fully funded scholarships exclusively for Sri Lankan nationals for the 2026–2027 academic session.
In a statement, the High Commission said the scholarships will enable Sri Lankan students to pursue studies at prestigious Indian institutes and universities across a wide range of academic fields. However, the scholarships do not cover Medical, Paramedical, or Law courses.
Scholarship Schemes
The scholarships are offered under the following schemes:
1. Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme
Covers Undergraduate, Postgraduate and PhD programmes in fields such as Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, Commerce, Humanities and Arts.
2. Maulana Azad Scholarship Scheme
Provides Master’s degree programmes, with preference given to Engineering, Science and Agriculture.
3. Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme
Offers undergraduate programmes in Information Technology, leading to Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degrees.
4. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme
Supports Undergraduate, Postgraduate and PhD programmes across disciplines including Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, Commerce, Humanities and Arts.
Benefits Provided
The scholarships include:
-
Full tuition fees for the entire duration of the course
-
Monthly stipend for living expenses
-
Annual allowance for books and stationery
-
Airfare to India
-
Annual educational tour grant within India
-
Hostel accommodation at the respective university campus
According to the High Commission, the Government of India will select meritorious Sri Lankan candidates for these scholarships.
The selection process will be conducted in consultation with the Ministry of Education Sri Lanka.
Further details will soon be available on the Ministry’s official website: www.mohe.gov.lk.
Students and parents seeking additional information on eligibility criteria and application procedures are encouraged to contact the High Commission of India in Colombo (eduwing.colombo@mea.gov.in) or the Ministry of Education.
PRESS RELEASE
Fully funded scholarships by Government of India for Sri Lankan nationals
High Commission of India, Colombo is inviting applications for 200 fully-funded scholarships for Sri Lankan nationals, across various levels. These scholarships are being offered for studies in prestigious Indian Institutes and Universities across subject domains but not including Medical/Paramedical, and Law courses. The scholarships offered exclusively for Sri Lankan nationals are for 2026-2027 academic session.
- The schemes under which these scholarships have been offered are:
a) Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme: This scheme covers Under Graduate/Post Graduate & PhD coursesin various domains such as Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, Commerce, Humanities and Arts, among others.
b) Maulana Azad Scholarship Scheme: Masters Degreescourses with preference to Engineering, Science and Agriculture.
c) Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme: Under Graduate courses in specifically in the field of Information Technology, leading to a Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Technology.
- d) A.P.J.Abdul kalam Commonwealth Scholarship scheme: This scheme also covers Under Graduate/Post Graduate & PhD coursesin various domains such as Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, Commerce, Humanities and Arts, among others.
- Each of the above schemes covers full tuition fees for the entire duration of the course, monthly sustenance allowance, and annual grant for books and stationery. In addition, air fare to the nearest destination in India and an annual grant for educational tours to various parts of the country, apart from several other auxiliary benefits are also offered. Selected candidates would also be provided hostel facility inside the respective campus.
- Government of India selects meritorious Sri Lankan nationals for award of these coveted scholarships. Selection of candidates is done in consultation with Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka. Necessary details will be available in the upcoming days on the website of Ministry of Education at www.mohe.gov.lk. Interested applicants and their parents are advised to approach the High Commission of India, Colombo (eduwing.colombo@mea.gov.in) or Ministry of Education, Government of Sri Lanka to learn more about eligibility criteria and selection procedure.
***
Colombo
3rd March 2026
