Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship for Indians: Eligibility, Cost & More

What Is the Inlaks Scholarship?  

The Inlaks Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship among top scholarships for Indian students that offers financial support to bright Indian students pursuing full time Master’s, MPhil or PhD courses at leading universities in the UK, Europe and the USA. It is designed to assist talented individuals in gaining a world-class education, developing their skills and contributing positively to society after completing studies. 

Inlaks Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 

To apply for the Inlaks Scholarship 2026 you are required to satisfy multiple conditions related to nationality, age, academics and admission status. Here is the eligibility criteria in brief:

• Nationality and Residency: Must hold an Indian passport holder residing in India at the time of application.
• Age Limit: Must be born on or after 1 January 1996 for the current application cycle.
• Academic Qualification: Must hold a degree from a recognised Indian University. Final year students (awaiting results) are also eligible for this.
• Minimum Marks:

1. 65% / CGPA 6.8/10  or GPA 2.6/4 (for Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Fine Arts, Architecture, and related subjects)
2. 70% / CGPA 7.2/10  or GPA 3.0/4 (for Mathematics, Sciences, Environment, and related subjects)

• Foreign Degree Holders: Must have lived, worked, or studied continuously in India for at least 2 years after completing their undergraduate degree.

• Admission Requirement: Must have a conditional or unconditional admission offer from the chosen institution before applying. Any admission conditions must be met before the final interview. Deferred offers are accepted only if they are valid for the relevant academic year.

Who Is Not Eligible for the Inlaks Scholarship?

Two groups are not eligible for the Inlaks Scholarships regardless of how strong their academic profile is:

1. Applicants who already hold a PG qualification like a Master’s or PhD from an institution abroad.
2. Applicants who are already studying or have already started a postgraduate course at an institution abroad.

Which Subjects Are Eligible & Which Are Excluded?

The Inlaks scholarships typically support most of the academic disciplines but there is a specific exclusion that you need to check before applying: 

Inlaks Scholarship Amount: Expenses Covered

The USD 120 000 figure is a cap not a flat payout as the actual amount depends on your particular course and its costs. If your total course costs exceed the cap you are then expected to arrange and prove additional funding yourself at the application time.

Here is the simple breakdown of the Inlaks Scholarships:

How to Apply for Inlaks Scholarship: Step-by-Step Process 

To apply for the Inlaks scholarships you can navigate the official website links on the foundation pages. The foundation also publishes a detailed application guidelines document every year which you can download from the same page. The application form itself has 7 sections:

1. Personal Information
2. Proposed Programme
3. University education
4. Work experience/project pursued
5. Statement of Purpose
6. 2 References
7. Declaration 

Step-by-Step Application Process

Below is the step by step application process for applying for Inlaks scholarships:

1. Visit the official Inlaks Foundation scholarship page once applications open (around February).
2. Register on the Foundation’s online application portal.
3. Carefully go through the eligibility criteria and subject exclusions before starting.
4. Fill in the above 7 sections of the form.
5. Upload all necessary section supporting documents.
6. Review every section for accuracy.
7. Submit before the deadline (31 March, 12:00 PM IST for the 2026 cycle).

Documents Required for Inlaks Scholarship 

Based on eligibility conditions the foundation lists the following documents that applicants should be ready with the following documents:

1. Indian Passport
2. Bachelor’s degree certificates (final year bona fide certificate)
3. Master’s degree certificates and mark sheets (if applicable)
4. Proof of 2 years in India after graduation (only if you studied undergrad abroad)
5. Admission letter
6. English language test certificate
7. Updates offer letter

Inlaks Scholarship Selection Process: 3 Rounds

The independent Inlaks selection committee assesses applicants based on present achievements and future potential. However the candidates applying for scholarships in art and design fields are mainly assessed on their portfolios.

Round 1: Application Review 

In the first round all the eligible applications are reviewed in April and a shortlist of the most promising candidates is created.

Round 2: Online Preliminary Interviews

In the second round the shortlisted candidates are invited for a preliminary interview around May which is conducted by an expert panel in relevant fields. 

Round 3: Final In-Person Interview

This is the ultimate determinant of the scholarship award. Candidates who succeed in the preliminary round attend a final in-person interview in Mumbai which is usually held around the 3rd or 4th weekend of May. If you have not heard from the Foundation by 30th April you should assume that your application has not progressed to the next round.

Tips to Win the Inlaks Scholarship   

If you are thinking about how to win the Inlaks scholarships then the tips below can help you strengthen your application:

1. Use Real Life Example: Share your practical life experiences that clearly reflect your skills, passion, leadership, and impact.
2. A SOP for Scholarship Applications: Clearly explain your reason for choosing the course, motivation and why you are a strong fit for the aid.
3. Select Right References: Choose people who are well versed with your skills and potential and can provide detailed and credible recommendations.
4. Excellent Interview Preparation: Prepare well for the interview including academic background, career plans and reason for choosing your courses with confidence.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: What is the Inlaks Scholarship and Who Is It For?

Inlaks Scholarship is the merit based scholarship from the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation for Indian graduates who are pursuing postgraduate studies in the UK, Europe or the USA.

Q: What is the Inlaks Scholarship Amount in 2026?

The approximate amount for Inlaks scholarships is up to USD 120,000 that includes tuition, living costs, travel, visa and health allowance.

Q: Which Subjects are Not Eligible For the Inlaks Scholarship?

The following subjects are not eligible for the Inlaks scholarships:

1. Business/Finance
2. Computer Science
3. Engineering (except at Imperial College)
4. Fashion Design
5. Film (except documentary filmmaking)
6. Hospitality & Tourism
7. Non-Contemporary Indian studies
8. MBA/Management
9. Medicine/Dentistry
10. Music (except Western Classical singing)

Q: Can Engineering Students Apply for The Inlaks Scholarship?

Yes only if you are applying to study Engineering or Natural Sciences at Imperial College London.

Q: Can Final Year Students Apply for the Inlaks Scholarship?

Yes final students can apply for the Inlaks scholarships. 

Q: How Many Rounds are there In The Inlaks Scholarship Selection Process?

There are mainly 3 rounds in the Inlaks Scholarships selection process:

1. Application Review
2. Online preliminary interviews
3. In person interview

Q: Where is the Inlaks Scholarship Final Interview Held?

The final interview for Inlaks Scholarships is usually in late May in Mumbai.

Q: Can i Apply for The Inlaks Scholarship If i Already Have a Postgraduate Degree From Abroad?

No you can not as this makes you ineligible for the Inlaks Scholarships.

Q: Can I Work Part-Time or Accept other Scholarships While on Inlaks?

The Inlaks Scholarship does not explicitly prohibit recipients from taking up part time work. Though any employment must comply with your college policies and visa regulations of your study destinations. 

Q: What Happens If the Inlaks Scholarship is Not Used Within 9 Months?

The scholarship offer mainly lapses if it is not used within nine months. However you must apply again in a future application cycle. 

Q: Can I Reapply If I Was Rejected Before?

Yes previous applicants who were unsuccessful may reapply in a future cycle given you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.