GKS Scholarship 2027 Application Form Released: Check Application Dates and Details

South Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED) has released the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027 undergraduate application on September 16, 2026. The scholarship is open to Indian students seeking a four-year bachelor’s degree at Korean universities. NIIED confirmed the guidelines on the official Study in Korea portal. The 2027 cycle continues the two-track model split between the Embassy and University routes.

• Indian applicants can apply through the Embassy Track via the Korean Embassy in New Delhi or the University Track directly to one of 88 designated universities.
• Selected students receive full tuition, a KRW 900,000 monthly stipend, one round-trip airfare, medical insurance and a KRW 200,000 settlement allowance.
• Embassy Track application windows close in late September or early October 2026, with specific deadlines set by the Korean Embassy in India.

The GKS programme has run since 1967 and is South Korea’s flagship inbound scholarship. India is one of the top participating countries by applicant volume. The 2027 cycle formalises a one-year mandatory Korean language course before degree study begins.

Also Read, 

• GKS Scholarship (KGSP) for Indian Students
• Study in South Korea 2026

What the GKS 2027 Scholarship Covers for Indian Students

The scholarship is fully funded and removes the tuition and living-cost burden that keeps most Indian families out of overseas undergraduate study. NIIED confirmed the benefit structure carries over from the 2026 cycle. All figures are set in Korean Won and paid directly to the student’s Korean bank account after arrival.

At ₹0.06 per KRW (September 2026), the monthly stipend of ₹57,000 covers rent, food and transport in most Korean cities outside central Seoul. Students who clear TOPIK Level 5 before or during study receive an additional KRW 100,000 per month proficiency bonus.

Embassy Track vs University Track: Which Route Should You Pick?

Every applicant must choose one of the two tracks. Applying to both routes disqualifies the candidate.

• Embassy Track: Apply through the Korean Embassy in New Delhi. Students can list up to three universities in preference order. The embassy screens first, then forwards shortlisted candidates to NIIED.
• University Track: Apply directly to one designated university. The university screens and nominates candidates to NIIED for the final round.

Embassy Track suits applicants who want flexibility across universities. University Track suits applicants with a clear first-choice university and a strong subject-fit profile.

GKS 2027 Eligibility Criteria for Indian Applicants

The eligibility bar is fixed by NIIED and is uniform across all 88 partner universities. Indian applicants must meet every condition below on the application date.

• Hold Indian citizenship. Dual citizens with Korean nationality are barred.
• Be under 25 years of age as of March 1, 2027.
• Have completed or be scheduled to complete Class 12 by February 28, 2027.
• Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average of 80% or higher, or top 20% of class.
• Be in good physical and mental health with no chronic illness that would disrupt study.
• Not have previously received a Korean government scholarship for undergraduate study.

NIIED does not require prior Korean language proficiency at the application stage. The first year of the scholarship is a mandatory Korean language course at a designated language institute.

How Do Indian Students Apply for GKS 2027?

The step-by-step process is set out on the Study in Korea portal and mirrored on the Korean Embassy India website. Applicants prepare one physical set of documents.

1. Download the application forms from the Study in Korea portal.
2. Prepare the personal statement, study plan, two recommendation letters, transcripts and citizenship proof.
3. Get all non-English documents apostilled or notarised by the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
4. Submit the physical application to the Korean Embassy in New Delhi (Embassy Track) or courier to the university international office (University Track).
5. Attend the embassy interview if shortlisted, typically in October 2026.

Final results are announced by NIIED in January 2027. Selected students then receive visa guidance and arrival instructions for the March 2027 intake.

Which Korean Universities Accept GKS 2027 Applicants?

NIIED designates 88 universities for the 2027 undergraduate cycle. The list includes Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University, KAIST, POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan University and Hanyang University. Regional universities in Busan, Daegu and Gwangju also accept GKS students.

Applicants must confirm that their target university and subject are on the current designated list before submitting. NIIED removes universities that fall below programme standards each cycle.

Your Action Plan for GKS 2027

1. Confirm your target track and university on the Study in Korea portal before September 25, 2026.
2. Get transcripts and passport copies apostilled by MEA India within two weeks.
3. Draft the personal statement and study plan against NIIED’s published prompts.
4. Secure two recommendation letters from Class 12 teachers or the school principal.
5. Courier the physical application pack to the Korean Embassy in New Delhi ahead of the embassy’s stated cut-off.

Indian applicants targeting the March 2027 intake now have a fixed window. The Embassy Track cut-off closes first in late September or early October 2026, followed by embassy interviews and NIIED final selection by January 2027. Missing this cycle pushes the next attempt to the 2028 intake with a fresh set of documents and a repeat of the process.

Also Read, 

• Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students 2026
• MS in Korea for Indian Students