It’s a question that stops many promising students in their tracks. You’re excited about the possibility of studying in India with a scholarship, but then the daunting idea of a big, scary entrance exam enters the picture. Let’s clear up the confusion right from the start. The short answer is: It depends entirely on the scholarship and the university, but for most reputable academic programs, the answer is leaning heavily toward yes.
Think of it as a two-part process: first, you need to get into the university or program. Second, you need to qualify for the funding. The entrance exam is almost always a gatekeeper for that first, crucial step. No admission, no scholarship.
Let’s break down the landscape so you know exactly what you’re facing. The rule isn’t universal, but understanding the logic behind it will save you a lot of stress.
The Golden Rule: Admission First, Funding Second
This is the most important concept to grasp. A scholarship, whether from the government (like the ICCR or Study in India programme) or from a university itself, is an award given to a student who has been admitted to a program. The scholarship application often runs parallel to the admission application, but the funding is contingent on you securing a seat.
Therefore, you must meet the university’s admission requirements before the scholarship’s requirements even come into full play. And for most undergraduate and postgraduate courses in India—especially in fields like engineering, medicine, sciences, and humanities at central universities—a standardized entrance exam is a core part of the admission criteria.
When an Entrance Exam is Almost Certain
For professional and technical degrees, national-level entrance exams are the standard gateway. If you are applying for a scholarship to study any of the following, you should 100% expect to take an entrance exam:
- Medicine (MBBS/BDS): The NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is mandatory for almost all medical and dental admissions in India, including for most categories of international students. No NEET, no seat. This is non-negotiable.
- Engineering (B.Tech): For top engineering institutes like the IITs, NITs, and IIITs, the JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) is required. Many other universities also use JEE scores for admission.
- Postgraduate Programs (M.Tech, MSc, MA, etc.): Many universities require scores from exams like the GATE (for M.Tech), CUET-PG (Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate), or their own university-specific entrance tests for admission to Master’s programs.
If your scholarship application through a portal like ICCR asks you to select courses like these, the system is assuming you will arrange to take the necessary exam to be eligible for admission.
The Exceptions and Gray Areas
Now, it’s not a monolithic rule. There are scenarios where you might not need a separate entrance exam score.
- Some University-Specific Scholarships: A few private or deemed universities might offer their own merit-based scholarships for international students based solely on your previous academic marks (like your high school or bachelor’s degree percentage). They might not require an Indian entrance exam for admission if they have a separate international student admissions process. However, this is less common for competitive courses. You must check the specific admission guidelines of that exact university.
- PhD Programs: At the doctoral level, the process is different. Admission is typically based on your Master’s grades, a research proposal, and an interview with the department. An entrance exam is less common, though not unheard of.
- Diploma or Certificate Courses: Shorter, skill-based programs may have simpler admission procedures, often based on your prior qualifications and sometimes an interview.
What This Means for Your Scholarship Strategy
Knowing this changes how you should prepare. Your path to a scholarship is now a dual-track mission.
- The Exam Track: Your primary focus should be on identifying and preparing for the required entrance exam for your chosen course. This is your biggest hurdle. Resources, syllabi, and past papers are usually available online. Start preparing early—these exams are competitive.
- The Scholarship Track: Concurrently, you research and apply for scholarships (ICCR, Study in India, university-specific). In your application, you will often be asked for details about your academic plans. This is where you demonstrate you are on top of the exam requirement.
A very practical tip: When filling out a scholarship application form that asks for your preferred universities and courses, do a quick check. For each course, visit the university’s official international admissions page. It will state clearly: “Admission to this B.Tech program requires a valid JEE Main score.” That simple act of verification will tell you exactly what you need to do.
The Bottom Line: Assume “Yes” and Verify
The safest approach is to assume that an entrance exam will be required for any substantive degree program (Bachelor’s or Master’s) at a major Indian university. Let this assumption drive your preparation.
Your action plan is simple:
- Step 1: Finalize the course and universities you want.
- Step 2: Go to the official websites of those universities and look up the “Admission Requirements for International Students” for your specific course.
- Step 3: If an exam is listed, that’s your new priority. Find the official exam website (like neet.nta.nic.in) for details on dates, syllabi, and how international students can register.
- Step 4: Apply for scholarships, clearly stating your plan to take the required exam (you may even provide your registration details).
By understanding that the exam is your ticket to the university—and the university seat is your ticket to the scholarship—you turn a confusing hurdle into a clear, manageable step in your journey. Don’t let the idea of an exam deter you. See it as the first challenge to conquer on your way to an incredible educational experience in India.
Frequently Asked Questions: Entrance Exams for Indian Scholarships
Is the NEET/JEE exam required for all scholarship programs?
The exam is required for admission to the specific programs (like MBBS or B.Tech), not directly for the scholarship itself. So, if you are applying for a scholarship to study medicine, you must have a valid NEET score to even be considered for a seat by the medical college. The scholarship agency (like ICCR) will require proof of your admission, which is contingent on that exam score. So indirectly, yes, it’s mandatory for those courses.
Can I get a scholarship first and then take the entrance exam?
No, this is not how the process works. The standard sequence is: 1) You take the required entrance exam. 2) You apply for university admission and scholarships, using your exam score. 3) You are offered a university seat. 4) Your scholarship is confirmed based on that admission offer. Funding is not awarded for a hypothetical future exam score.
I am applying for a Master’s in English/History. Do I still need an exam?
It depends entirely on the university. Many central and state universities now use the CUET-PG (Common University Entrance Test for Postgraduate) for admission to Master’s programs in arts, humanities, and sciences. Some universities may have their own written entrance tests, while others might admit based on your Bachelor’s degree marks. You must check the specific program’s admission page on the university website to know for certain.
Where can I find information and register for these exams as an international student?
All major national exams have official websites managed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) or other bodies.
- NEET UG:
neet.nta.nic.in - JEE Main:
jeemain.nta.ac.in - CUET-PG:
cuet.nta.nic.in
These sites have detailed information for international/NRI applicants, including registration portals, syllabi, and important dates. Start there for the most accurate and official information.
What if the scholarship application deadline is before the exam results are out?
This is a common situation. When filling out the scholarship application (e.g., on the ICCR portal), you will usually have a section to provide your “Entrance Exam Details.” Here, you should enter the exam you are registered for and your registration/roll number. You can indicate that the result is pending. The scholarship committee will process your application with this understanding, but your final selection will be contingent upon you submitting a passing score once the results are declared.
Are there any scholarships that don’t require any entrance exams?
Yes, but they are typically for different types of programs. Some university-specific merit scholarships for international students might be based solely on your previous academic transcripts for certain liberal arts or business courses. Diploma programs, short-term courses, or some private university programs may also admit without a standardized entrance exam. However, for most government scholarships linked to full-degree programs at public universities, an entrance exam is a standard part of the admission ecosystem. Always verify by reading the fine print on both the scholarship and the university admission page.