Top Fully Funded PhD Scholarships for Indian Students (2025 Guide)
Pursuing a PhD can be intellectually rewarding but financially challenging. Fortunately, several fully funded scholarships are available for Indian students looking to pursue doctoral research in India or abroad. These scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, research costs, and travel allowances.
Here is a list of the top fully funded PhD scholarships for Indian students in 2025, along with eligibility, benefits, and application details.
1. Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)
- Offered by: Ministry of Education, India
- Eligibility: Final year BTech/Integrated MTech or MSc from top institutions
- Amount: ₹70,000–₹80,000/month + ₹2 lakh annual research grant
- Apply at: pmrf.in
2. UGC NET JRF (Junior Research Fellowship)
- Eligibility: Qualify UGC-NET exam
- Amount: ₹31,000/month for first 2 years; ₹35,000/month afterward
- Tenure: Up to 5 years
- Apply at: ugcnet.nta.nic.in
3. CSIR JRF (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
- Fields: Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry
- Amount: ₹31,000–₹35,000/month + HRA
- Eligibility: Master’s degree in relevant subject with 55% marks
- Apply at: csirhrdg.res.in
4. Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (UK)
- Offered by: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Eligibility: Indian citizens from low-income backgrounds
- Benefits: Full tuition, airfare, monthly stipend, and research support
- Apply via: Ministry of Education, India + Commonwealth portal
5. DAAD Research Grants (Germany)
- Offered by: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- Eligibility: Master’s graduates planning PhD in Germany
- Amount: Monthly stipend, travel allowance, insurance
- Apply at: daad.in
6. Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships (USA)
- Eligibility: Indian PhD scholars registered at Indian institutions
- Fields: Arts, Humanities, Science, Agriculture, etc.
- Benefits: Monthly stipend, tuition fee, J-1 visa support, airfare
- Apply at: usief.org.in
7. Google PhD Fellowship India
- Fields: Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, Human-Computer Interaction
- Eligibility: Full-time PhD students in Indian institutions
- Amount: Full funding, mentorship, and annual stipend
- Apply at: research.google
8. Gates Cambridge Scholarship (UK)
- Eligibility: Non-UK citizens pursuing PhD at Cambridge University
- Benefits: Full fees, maintenance allowance, airfare, and academic development
- Apply at: gatescambridge.org
9. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: Indian students under 30 enrolled in top universities abroad
- Fields: Humanities, Arts, Sciences
- Amount: Up to USD 100,000
- Apply at: inlaksfoundation.org
10. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
- Eligibility: Indian graduates with master’s degree applying for PhD in Switzerland
- Benefits: Monthly payment, tuition, airfare, health insurance
- Apply at: sbfi.admin.ch
Tips to Apply for PhD Scholarships
- Start early — most deadlines fall 6–12 months before program start
- Prepare a strong research proposal and Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Get recommendation letters from professors or research guides
- Check eligibility, format, and deadlines carefully
- Apply through official portals only
Conclusion
Whether you plan to do your PhD in India or abroad, these fully funded scholarships can cover all your major academic and research expenses. If you are passionate about research and have a strong academic background, don’t miss out on these opportunities. Prepare your application with care and aim for academic excellence in 2025.
See more: Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad (2025 Edition)