In a significant gesture of bilateral cooperation, the Embassy of India in Thimphu on April 29 announced its comprehensive scholarship offerings for Bhutanese students keen to pursue education in India. The event underscored a shared commitment to expanding educational and skills-development partnerships under the Indo-Bhutan 13th Plan.
The outreach programme, attended by Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel and Indian Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela, served both as a platform to unveil the latest scholarship allocations and to celebrate the enduring friendship between the two kingdoms. “Our collaboration extends beyond diplomacy,” Ambassador Dalela remarked. “We are building bridges of knowledge that will benefit thousands of young Bhutanese for generations to come.”
A Decade of Opportunity
Over the past ten years, more than 10,000 Bhutanese nationals have availed themselves of Government of India scholarships to study across a spectrum of disciplines—from engineering and medicine to law, agriculture, the humanities, and the arts. With this year’s budget set at Nu 80 million, the embassy is offering awards at every academic tier, from secondary-level placements through to doctoral research.
Flagship Programmes and Institutional Partners
Leading the charge is the India-Bhutan Friendship Scholarship, which grants three fully funded M.Tech positions at IIT Kanpur. Recipients will receive full tuition coverage, on-campus housing, a monthly stipend of Rs 35,000, round-trip airfare, and medical insurance.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has also expanded its suite of awards: the B.R. Ambedkar Undergraduate Engineering Scholarships, Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarships, and Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarships each cover tuition, accommodation, thesis support, and stipends ranging between Rs 18,000 and Rs 22,000 per month.
Nalanda University is providing 30 full scholarships—20 for MA/MSc programmes, five for its MBA, and five for doctoral candidates—alongside an additional 50 slots under the NU-BIMSTEC fellowship. All include tuition, travel, lodging, and a monthly grant of Rs 20,000.
Broadening Access with Flexible Aid
Beyond government-funded seats, self-financing Bhutanese students enrolling in Indian institutions may apply for financial assistance of Rs 200,000 to Rs 300,000 annually. These grants are designed to defray tuition, hostel fees, and living costs, easing the burden on families and encouraging a wider pool of applicants.
Professional and Postgraduate Pathways
The Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship Scheme, tailored for mid-career civil servants and private-sector professionals, offers full funding for postgraduate studies. Benefits include a Rs 50,000 monthly stipend, research and book allowances, and international travel support. Selection is coordinated by the Royal Civil Service Commission in partnership with the Indian Embassy, with a focus on fields such as medicine, engineering, information technology, and veterinary science.
Undergraduate aspirants will find continued support through the GoI’s PTA Project Scholarships, which fund courses in MBBS, engineering, IT, and veterinary medicine across premier Indian universities.
How to Apply
Most scholarship windows open between March and August, varying by scheme. Candidates are encouraged to submit updated documents annually if not selected on their first attempt. Detailed guidelines and application portals are accessible via the ICCR website, individual institution portals (IIT Kanpur, Nalanda University), and the RCSC online platform.
By deepening educational ties and increasing opportunities for Bhutanese scholars, India reaffirms its role not just as a neighbor, but as a partner in Bhutan’s human-resource development. With ample resources and a spectrum of disciplines on offer, the 2025–26 scholarship roster promises to usher in yet another generation of Bhutanese graduates equipped to contribute both at home and on the global stage.
