ADB-Japan Scholarship Program
Asian Development Bank / Government of Japan · All India
| Scheme Name | ADB-Japan Scholarship Program |
| Provided By | Asian Development Bank / Government of Japan |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters · No income limit |
About the Program
Comprehensive guide for ADB-Japan Scholarship Program. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.
Benefits & Financial Support
$50,000/mo (approx. ₹17.0 Lakh+)
The ADB-Japan Scholarship Program is fully funded and covers full tuition fees, a monthly subsistence allowance (approximately JPY 147,000, which is around INR 80,000, for living expenses including housing), an annual allowance for books and instructional materials (up to JPY 100,000, approximately INR 54,000), comprehensive medical insurance, and economy-class round-trip airfare from India to the host country. A special grant for thesis preparation may also be available for scholars engaged in research. In certain circumstances, preparatory courses like computer literacy or language skills might also be covered. The overall scholarship value is stated to be over $50,000 per scholar. Disbursement details are managed by the designated academic institutions.
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Nationality:Must be a national of an ADB borrowing member country. Applicants from countries that are no longer borrowing from ADB are not eligible. Dual citizenship with any developed country is not permitted.
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Academic Qualification:Must possess a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent with a superior academic record. This often translates to a cGPA of 3.5/4.0 or higher.
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Work Experience:Must have at least two (2) years of full-time professional work experience (acquired after a university degree) at the time of application.
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English Proficiency:Must be proficient in oral and written English to facilitate graduate-level study.
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Age Limit:Must not be more than 35 years old at the time of application (exceptions are rare).
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Health:Must be in good health.
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Return to Home Country:Must agree to return to and work in their home country for a period of at least two years after completion of studies under the program.
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Previous Degrees:May not have already earned a Master's or doctoral degree, and may not be currently enrolled in such a degree program (the program will not support applicants pursuing a second Master's degree).
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Affiliation:May not be an Executive Director, Alternate Director, management member, or staff of the ADB, nor a consultant to the same or a relative of any of the aforementioned. Staff of ADB-JSP designated institutions are also ineligible.
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Residency:May not be living or working in a country other than their home country at the time of application.
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Financial Capacity:Preference is given to applicants with lesser financial capacity; family income should not exceed US$50,000 per year, and individual income should not exceed US$25,000 per year.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Masters |
| Course / Stream | Masters |
| Income Limit | No income bar |
| Category / Caste | General, OBC, SC, ST |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Completed application form of the chosen academic institution
- ✓ADB-JSP Information Sheet (Form 1)
- ✓Copy of Degree Certificate and Transcript of a 4-year undergraduate degree program (showing a superior academic record, e.g., cGPA 3.5 and above)
- ✓English proficiency test score (e.g., IELTS Academic: 6 or AIT EET ≥ 6.0, TOEFL ≥ 550) as required by the institution
- ✓Work certificate(s) from employer(s) (on company letterhead/logo, signed by authorized signatory, including start/end dates of employment, position, and monthly/annual income)
- ✓Latest Income Tax Return or a Certification of Annual/Monthly Salary
- ✓Certification of Family Income (Parent's income if unmarried; Spouse's income if married), certified by the local Municipality
- ✓USD Conversion Form for income statements (if income is in local currency)
- ✓Evaluation Report (if required by the specific institution)
- ✓Additional supporting documents as requested by the chosen academic institution
Selection Process
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Candidates are selected based on stringent criteria emphasizing academic excellence and professional drive
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Key selection criteria include:being a national and resident of an ADB borrowing member country (including India) and Japanese ODA scholarship-eligible country, not holding dual citizenship of any developed country, and having gained admission to an approved Master's course at a designated institution
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Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent with a superior academic record, typically a first-class or equivalent GPA above 3.5/4.0
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A minimum of two years of full-time professional work experience post-bachelor's is required, excluding internships or part-time roles
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Applicants must be under 35 years old at the application deadline (with rare exceptions for senior officials/managers up to 45, requiring special endorsement from the Japanese government)
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Strong English proficiency (e.g., TOEFL minimum 550 PBT/79 iBT, IELTS 6.5 overall) is mandatory
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Candidates must be in good health and commit to returning to their home country for at least two years after studies to contribute to its development
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Preference is given to women candidates and applicants with lesser financial capacity (family income not exceeding USD 50,000 per year and individual income not exceeding USD 25,000 per year)
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The program generally does not support applicants who have previously studied abroad or are pursuing a second Master's degree
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The selection process involves the designated academic institution evaluating and shortlisting candidates, then recommending them to ADB, which makes the final selection.
Renewal Policy
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The scholarship is awarded for the entire duration of the Master's program, typically one to two years
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Renewal conditions beyond the initial award for the program duration are not explicitly detailed, implying continuous support for the approved program length, subject to satisfactory academic progress as determined by the designated academic institution
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Scholars are expected to maintain good academic standing and adhere to the program's requirements throughout their study.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Research and Select Institution
Identify a Master's program and a designated academic institution from the official ADB-Japan Scholarship Program's list of participating universities that aligns with your academic and career goals.
- 2Apply for University Admission
Submit your application directly to the chosen academic institution for admission to an eligible Master's program. This is the primary step, as ADB-JSP does not accept direct applications.
- 3Indicate Scholarship Interest
During your university application, ensure you indicate your interest in being considered for the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program. Some universities may have a specific section or form for this.
- 4Submit Required Documents
Complete all application documents required by the university, which typically include the ADB-JSP information sheet, academic transcripts, a research proposal, letters of recommendation, proof of English proficiency, a detailed CV, and evidence of professional work experience. You will also need to submit financial documents like your latest income tax return or certification of annual/monthly salary, and a certification of family income.
- 5University Evaluation and Nomination
The designated institution will evaluate your application for both admission and the scholarship. If shortlisted, the institution will nominate you to the Asian Development Bank.
- 6ADB Selection
The ADB reviews submissions from the institutions and makes the final selection of scholars based on its own criteria.
- 7Notification of Award
The academic institution will officially inform you of the scholarship outcome.
- 8Status Tracking
To track your application status, regularly check the admissions portal or contact the international admissions office of the academic institution to which you applied. Direct status tracking through ADB is generally not available, as the process is managed by the partner institutions until ADB makes the final selections.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Does the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program cover expenses for family members or dependents?
No, the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program strictly covers only the scholar's expenses, including tuition, living allowance, books, medical insurance, and travel. It does not provide funding for dependents or family members.
Am I eligible to apply if I am currently enrolled in a graduate degree program or already hold a Master's degree?
No, the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program generally does not support applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs or those pursuing a second Master's degree.
Is there a requirement to return to my home country after completing the scholarship program?
Yes, a mandatory condition of the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program is that scholars must agree to return to their home country (India, in this case) and work for at least two years after completing their studies. This commitment ensures that the acquired knowledge and skills contribute to the development of their home nation.
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IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Asian Development Bank / Government of Japan website before final submission.