Russia Announces 300 Scholarships for Indian Students

TL;DR

• Russia to award around 300 scholarships to Indian students for 2026–27 across disciplines like medicine, engineering, management, and humanities.
• Applications open now via education-in-russia.com, with the first stage closing January 15, 2026.
• Selection and placement will be managed entirely by Russian authorities — India’s Ministry of Education will have no role in nominations.

Check Out: Top Universities in Russia for Indian Students

India–Russia Education Opportunity Expands

Indian students aspiring to pursue medical, engineering, and other professional degrees abroad now have a new window of opportunity for 2026–27. The Government of the Russian Federation has announced its annual scholarship programme for Indian citizens, offering approximately 300 fully funded seats in leading Russian universities.

These scholarships cover the full tuition fee across a diverse range of subjects — from medicine, pharmacy, and engineering to architecture, economics, management, social sciences, and the arts. Programmes are open at all levels, including Bachelor’s, Specialist, Master’s, PhD, and advanced training courses.

The initiative aims to strengthen educational ties between India and Russia while ensuring broader access to STEM and professional fields at globally ranked universities. Unlike exchange programmes, this scholarship allows Indian students to apply directly through the Russian government’s official portal, without any intermediary involvement or nomination from the Indian side.

Check Out: Top Universities in Russia for MBBS

Application and Selection Process

The entire selection process will be carried out by Russian authorities in two stages:

Stage 1 (until January 15, 2026): Applicants must submit all required documents — including academic transcripts and identification — via the official portal, education-in-russia.com. Shortlisted candidates will be announced after eligibility screening.

Stage 2: The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia will assign successful candidates to universities and issue necessary documentation for the student visa process.

Applicants can select up to six preferred universities in their application form, but final placement depends on university choice and programme availability.

Academic Coverage and Language Flexibility

Courses are offered at almost all major Russian universities — except Lomonosov Moscow State University and MGIMO. A significant advantage for Indian applicants is that many programmes, particularly in medicine and technology, are taught in English.

Students without prior knowledge of Russian can undertake a one-year language foundation course before beginning their main degree. This makes the programme accessible to Indian students from a wide range of academic and linguistic backgrounds.

What It Means for Indian Students?

For Indian aspirants looking beyond traditional destinations like the UK, US, and Canada, Russia’s 2026–27 scholarship offers high-quality education with lower living costs and full tuition support. It also opens pathways in STEM, aviation, and healthcare — sectors where Russian institutions hold established global expertise.

The Ministry of Education of India has issued a public notification about the scholarship but clarified that it does not participate in candidate selection. The Russian government alone will shortlist, evaluate, and finalise admissions under this initiative.

Key Dates and Checklist

Checklist for Applicants:

• Apply only on the official website — do not use agents.
• Rank six preferred universities carefully.
• Keep scanned copies of transcripts, passport, and SOP ready.
• Ensure programmes align with your academic background.