Study Abroad Content Writer | Updated On - Jun 8, 2026
The Chevening Scholarship and the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship are the two most credible fully funded UK scholarships for Indian students in 2026, both funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Together, they cover full tuition fees, monthly living stipends, return airfare, and health-related costs for a one-year Master's degree at a UK university. However, fewer than 1 in 10 Indian applicants who apply actually receive either award. The Chevening 2026-27 cycle is closed, with the next cycle opening in August 2026. The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship has an active Indian Ministry of Education (MoE) nomination deadline of May 31, 2026, making it the only UK government scholarship with an open window for Indian students right now.
- The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship MoE deadline is May 31, 2026 at 17:00 IST. India receives only 39 nominations from the Ministry of Education to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. With over 4,500 applications submitted through the MoE portal, the effective acceptance rate for Indian applicants is under 1%. A nomination is not a guarantee of selection.
- Chevening 2026-27 is closed, but the next cycle opens in August 2026. Around 45 to 55 scholarships are awarded to Indian students each year from 1,100 to 1,200 applications. The acceptance rate is 4 to 8%. Preparation for the four 300-word essays should begin at least three months before August 2026.
- Both scholarships require a return obligation to India. Chevening scholars must return to India for at least two years after the scholarship ends. Commonwealth scholars must return to India after completing the programme. Switching to a graduate or work visa to remain in the UK is not permitted under either award.
Current Currency Conversion: 1 GBP = 127 INR (as of 8 June 2026).
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UK Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students
The UK offers two major government-funded fully funded scholarships for Indian students at the postgraduate level: the Chevening Scholarship and the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship. Both are funded by the FCDO, both cover a one-year taught Master's degree at a UK university, and both require scholars to return to India after completing the programme.
The table below shows the current 2026 status of both scholarships, sourced from official websites chevening.org and cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk, verified as of June 2026.
| Scholarship | Level | Monthly Stipend | Monthly Stipend (INR approx.) | 2026-27 Status | Next Opening |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening Scholarship | Master's (1 year) |
~£1,236/month (outside London) | ~₹1,56,972/month | Closed (deadline was October 7, 2025) |
August 2026 for 2027-28 |
| Commonwealth Master's Scholarship | Master's (1 year) |
£1,452/month (outside London); £1,781/month (London) | ~₹1,84,404/month (outside London); ~₹2,26,187/month (London) | MoE nominations: deadline May 31, 2026 | September 2026 for 2027-28 |
Source: chevening.org, cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk. All data verified June 2026.
Chevening Scholarship 2026 for Indian Students
The Chevening Scholarship is the UK Government's flagship international scholarship, funded by the FCDO, and is awarded to talented professionals with demonstrated leadership potential. The 2026-27 cycle is closed. Applications opened on August 5, 2025 and closed on October 7, 2025. The next cycle for 2027-28 is expected to open in August 2026.
Around 45 to 55 scholarships are awarded to Indian students each year from 1,100 to 1,200 applications, giving an acceptance rate of 4 to 8%. Selected scholars must return to India for at least two years after completing the programme.
The table below covers all key details of the Chevening Scholarship for Indian students, sourced from chevening.org.
| Detail | Chevening Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Funded by | UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations |
| Level | One-year taught Master's degree at any eligible UK university |
| Minimum work experience | 2,800 hours (approximately 2 years) of work experience after graduating from an undergraduate degree |
| Minimum academic qualification | Undergraduate degree completed at least 2 years before the application deadline |
| Monthly living stipend (outside London) | Approximately £1,236/month (approximately ₹1,56,972/month) |
| Monthly living stipend (London) | Higher rate applicable for London-based universities |
| What it covers | Full university tuition fees, monthly living stipend, return economy airfare, arrival allowance, homeward departure allowance, one visa application cost, travel grant for Chevening events in the UK |
| What it does NOT cover | UK Immigration Health Surcharge (currently £776/year, approximately ₹98,552/year), pre-departure costs, dependants' expenses |
| MBA funded? | Yes, but with a tuition cap of approximately £22,000 (approximately ₹27,94,000). Any tuition above this cap must be self-funded. |
| Number of UK university choices required | Must apply to 3 different eligible UK university courses and receive an unconditional offer from at least one before the document deadline |
| Return obligation | Must return to India for at least 2 years after the scholarship ends |
| Who is NOT eligible | Anyone who has received a UK Government-funded scholarship in the past 5 years; anyone currently or recently employed by His Majesty's Government, British embassies or high commissions, the British Council, or UK universities |
| 2026-27 status | Closed (deadline was October 7, 2025) |
| Next cycle opens | August 2026 for 2027-28 |
Source: chevening.org. All data verified June 2026.
Check: UK University Application Deadlines
The Chevening application timeline for the 2026-27 cycle (now closed) was as follows, and the 2027-28 cycle is expected to follow the same pattern:
| Date (2025-26 cycle, for reference) | Event |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2025 | Applications opened at 12:00 UTC |
| October 7, 2025 | Applications closed at 12:00 UTC |
| October 2025 onwards | Applications sifted against eligibility criteria |
| Mid-October 2025 to January 2026 | Reading committees assess eligible applications |
| Mid-February 2026 | Shortlisted candidates invited for interviews |
| March to April 2026 | Interviews held at British embassies and high commissions worldwide |
| Mid-June 2026 | Final interview results announced |
| July 9, 2026 | Deadline to submit at least one unconditional UK university offer |
| September to October 2026 | Chevening scholars begin studies in the UK |
Source: chevening.org application timeline. Verified June 2026.
- Chevening requires four 300-word essays on leadership, networking, studying in the UK, and career plans. Generic essays are rejected at the first stage. Many Indian applicants on Reddit note that the essays are the most common reason for rejection, not academic qualifications.
- References must be written in English, addressed to the British High Commission, and must specifically mention the applicant's leadership and networking skills. Referees can submit directly to the local Chevening team or return the letter to the applicant for uploading.
- The selection process takes at least 8 months from the application deadline. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed at the British High Commission in India.
- Government of India employees in IAS, IPS, IRS, and IFS are not eligible. Researchers at CSIR, ICAR, ISRO, IIT, and IISc are eligible.
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship 2026 for Indian Students
The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship has an active deadline for Indian students right now. India's Ministry of Education opened nominations on April 16, 2026. The deadline to submit to the MoE's SAKSHAT portal is May 31, 2026 at 17:00 IST. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK then selects from the nominations made by the MoE.
India receives only 39 nominations from the MoE to the CSC from the entire country. With over 4,500 applications submitted through the MoE portal, the effective acceptance rate for Indian applicants is under 1%. A nomination is not a guarantee of selection.
| Detail | Commonwealth Master's Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Funded by | UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) |
| Level | One-year full-time taught Master's degree at a UK university listed by CSC as a partner funding institution |
| Minimum academic requirement | First degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, equivalent to approximately 60% marks in graduation |
| Monthly living stipend (outside London) | £1,452/month (approximately ₹1,84,404/month) |
| Monthly living stipend (London) | £1,781/month (approximately ₹2,26,187/month) |
| What it covers | Full tuition fees, monthly living stipend, return economy airfare, warm clothing allowance, study travel grant within the UK or overseas, thesis or dissertation preparation costs |
| What it does NOT cover | UK Immigration Health Surcharge, visa application fees, pre-departure costs, dependants' travel |
| MBA funded? | No. The CSC does not fund MBA degrees under this programme. |
| Subject areas funded | Science and technology for development; Strengthening health systems and capacity; Promoting global prosperity; Strengthening global peace, security, and governance; Strengthening resilience and response to crises; Access, inclusion, and opportunity |
| Application route for India | Through the Ministry of Education (MoE) SAKSHAT portal only. CSC does not accept direct applications from Indian students. |
| India's nominations to CSC | 39 nominations only from the entire country |
| MoE India deadline | May 31, 2026 at 17:00 IST |
| Result notification | Applicants can expect to hear by July 2026 |
| Return obligation | Must return to India after the scholarship. Switching to a graduate or work visa to remain in the UK is not permitted. |
| Who is NOT eligible | Applicants who have stayed abroad for more than six months in the last two years, unless they have lived in India for two continuous years; applicants who can afford to study in the UK without financial support |
| Next cycle opens | September 2026 for 2027-28 |
Also read: Check about Student Accommodation in London
Chevening vs Commonwealth Master's Scholarship: Key Differences for Indian Students
Both scholarships fund a one-year Master's degree in the UK and are funded by the FCDO, but they have very different eligibility profiles, application routes, and funding structures. Choosing which one to target depends on your academic background, work experience, career goals, and financial situation.
The table below compares both scholarships directly on the factors that matter most to Indian students.
| Factor | Chevening Scholarship | Commonwealth Master's Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Funded by | FCDO and partner organisations | FCDO only |
| Primary selection criterion | Leadership potential, networking ability, career impact | Academic merit and financial need |
| Work experience required | Yes. Minimum 2,800 hours (approximately 2 years) after undergraduate degree |
No mandatory work experience requirement |
| Financial need required | No | Yes. Must declare inability to afford UK study without the scholarship |
| Monthly stipend (outside London) | ~£1,236/month (~₹1,56,972/month) |
£1,452/month (~₹1,84,404/month) |
| Monthly stipend (London) | Higher rate (exact amount varies) |
£1,781/month (~₹2,26,187/month) |
| MBA funded? | Yes, with a £22,000 (~₹27,94,000) tuition cap | No |
| Application route | Direct application at chevening.org | Through MoE India SAKSHAT portal only. No direct applications accepted. |
| India-specific quota | 45 to 55 scholarships per year | 39 nominations from MoE to CSC |
| Acceptance rate (India) | 4 to 8% | Under 1% |
| IELTS required? | Not by Chevening directly; required by most UK universities for admission | Not by CSC directly; required by most UK universities for admission |
| Return obligation | Must return to India for at least 2 years | Must return to India after the programme |
| 2026-27 status | Closed (deadline was October 7, 2025) |
MoE deadline: May 31, 2026 |
| Next cycle opens | August 2026 | September 2026 |
Note: If you have 2 or more years of work experience and a strong leadership profile, Chevening is the better fit. It does not require financial need and rewards professional achievement and career vision.
- If you are a recent graduate with strong academics and genuine financial need, Commonwealth is the better fit. It does not require work experience and places greater weight on academic merit and development impact.
- You cannot hold both scholarships simultaneously. Both prohibit combining the award with any other UK government-funded scholarship.
- Many Indian students on Reddit note that applying to both in the same cycle is a common strategy, since the application windows are different and the eligibility criteria do not overlap significantly.
The Chevening Scholarship and the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship are the two most credible fully funded UK scholarships for Indian students in 2026, both funded by the FCDO and both covering full tuition, monthly stipends, and return airfare for a one-year Master's degree at a UK university. The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship MoE deadline of May 31, 2026 is the only active UK government scholarship window for Indian students right now, with just 39 nominations available from the entire country and an effective acceptance rate under 1%. The Chevening 2026-27 cycle is closed, with the next cycle opening in August 2026 for 2027-28. Chevening suits professionals with 2 or more years of work experience and a strong leadership profile. Commonwealth suits recent graduates with strong academics and genuine financial need. Both require scholars to return to India after completing the programme.
FAQs
Ques. Which UK scholarships for Indian students are open in June 2026?
Ans. The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship MoE nomination deadline is May 31, 2026 at 17:00 IST, making it the only active UK government scholarship window for Indian students right now. The Chevening Scholarship 2026-27 cycle is closed. The next Chevening cycle opens in August 2026 for 2027-28. The next Commonwealth cycle opens in September 2026 for 2027-28.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate for the Chevening Scholarship for Indian students?
Ans. The Chevening Scholarship acceptance rate for Indian students is approximately 4 to 8%. Around 45 to 55 scholarships are awarded to Indian students each year from 1,100 to 1,200 applications. The selection process takes at least 8 months from the application deadline and includes eligibility screening, reading committee review, and an interview at the British High Commission in India.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship for Indian students?
Ans. The effective acceptance rate for Indian applicants is under 1%. India receives only 39 nominations from the Ministry of Education to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission from the entire country. With over 4,500 applications submitted through the MoE SAKSHAT portal, the competition is extremely high. A nomination from the MoE is not a guarantee of selection by the CSC.
Ques. Does the Chevening Scholarship cover MBA degrees for Indian students?
Ans. Yes, the Chevening Scholarship funds MBA degrees, but with a tuition cap of approximately £22,000 (approximately ₹27,94,000). Any tuition fees above this cap must be self-funded by the scholar. The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship does not fund MBA degrees under any circumstances.
Ques. Does the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship require IELTS for Indian students?
Ans. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission does not require IELTS as a direct eligibility criterion. However, most UK universities require proof of English language proficiency for admission, which is a prerequisite for the scholarship. English proficiency is typically assessed through your academic record. Check the specific requirements of the UK university you are applying to.
Ques. What is the monthly stipend for the Chevening Scholarship in INR?
Ans. The Chevening Scholarship monthly living stipend is approximately £1,236 per month (approximately ₹1,56,972 per month) for universities outside London. London-based universities receive a higher stipend. The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship pays £1,452 per month (approximately ₹1,84,404 per month) outside London and £1,781 per month (approximately ₹2,26,187 per month) in London. Both figures are based on 1 GBP = ₹127 INR as of June 8, 2026.
Ques. Can Indian students apply directly for the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship?
Ans. No. The CSC does not accept direct applications from Indian students. Indian applicants must apply through the Ministry of Education India SAKSHAT portal. The MoE then nominates up to 39 candidates to the CSC, which makes the final selection. The MoE deadline for the current cycle is May 31, 2026 at 17:00 IST.
Ques. Do Chevening and Commonwealth scholars have to return to India after the scholarship?
Ans. Yes. Both scholarships have a mandatory return obligation. Chevening scholars must return to India for at least 2 years after the scholarship ends. Commonwealth scholars must return to India after completing the programme. Switching to a graduate visa or work visa to remain in the UK after the scholarship is not permitted under either award. Violation of this condition can result in repayment obligations.
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