Study Abroad Scholarship · Masters

Commonwealth Masters Scholarships

Q: Is an offer letter from a UK university mandatory at the time of application?

While the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) itself may not strictly require an offer letter at the initial application stage for Master's scholarships, the Indian Ministry of Education (MoE), which acts as the nominating agency, typically requires a confirmed admission letter from a UK university participating in the CSC scheme. It is highly recommended to secure university admission as early as possible, ideally before or shortly after the scholarship application portals open.

Q: What expenses does the Commonwealth Masters Scholarship cover?

The scholarship is fully funded, covering all approved tuition fees, which are paid directly by the CSC to your university. It also includes an approved economy airfare from your home country to the UK and back, visa costs, and a monthly living allowance (stipend). Additionally, scholars receive a warm clothing allowance and a study travel grant. Further financial assistance may be provided based on individual circumstances, such as for disability or family support.

Q: How important are the six CSC development themes in the selection process?

The six CSC development themes are of paramount importance in the selection process. The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's mission is to support individuals who can contribute significantly to sustainable development in their home countries. Therefore, applicants must clearly articulate and demonstrate how their chosen course of study and future career plans align with one or more of these themes. Applications that do not show a strong connection to these developmental objectives are systematically deprioritized during the selection process.

Commonwealth Scholarship Commission · All India

Annual Award₹61.4 Lakh+

Deadline15 Oct

Scheme Name	Commonwealth Masters Scholarships
Provided By	Commonwealth Scholarship Commission
Eligibility Summary	Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income)

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Understand the bigger pictureOBC Scholarships in India: The Complete Guide (2026)

About the Program

Comprehensive guide for Commonwealth Masters Scholarships. Get eligibility details, stipend amounts, and registration instructions here.

Benefits & Financial Support

₹61.4 Lakh+

The Commonwealth Masters Scholarship is a fully funded award for the 2026-27 academic year, covering all approved tuition fees directly paid by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) to the university. It includes a return economy airfare from India to the UK at the beginning and end of the scholarship. Scholars receive a monthly living allowance (stipend) of approximately INR 1,85,490 for those studying outside London, and INR 2,27,455 for those in London. Additional financial provisions include a warm clothing allowance and a study travel grant. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts is not specified as the scholarship is primarily funded by the UK government.

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Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by an eligible Commonwealth country, or be a British Protected Person.
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Be permanently resident in an eligible Commonwealth country.
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Be available to start academic studies in the UK by the start of the UK academic year in September/October 2026.
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By September 2026, hold a first degree of at least upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, or a lower second-class degree (2:2) and a relevant postgraduate qualification (usually a Master's degree).
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Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
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Have provided all supporting documentation in the required format.
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The scholarship is for full-time taught Master's study. MBA programs are not eligible.
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Applicants who have already studied at Master's level in the UK will not be considered eligible. Justification is required if applying for a second Master's degree (not in the UK).
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Not have studied or worked for one academic year or more in a high-income country.
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Commit to returning to your home country following the end of your scholarship to contribute to its development.

Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit

Education Level	Masters
Course / Stream	Masters
Minimum Marks	60%
Income Limit	No income bar
Category / Caste	General, OBC, SC, ST
Domicile State	All India

Mandatory Documents Checklist

✓Proof of citizenship or refugee status (copy of valid passport or national ID card)
✓Academic transcripts for all higher education qualifications
✓Three references, one of which should be from a current employer (if applicable). References must be uploaded to the application system by the deadline.
✓English language proficiency certificate (if applicable, by the deadline specified by the nominator or university)
✓Development Impact statement
✓Research proposal or study plan
✓Letter of acceptance for a Master's programme at a UK university (applicants must secure their own place)

Selection Process

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Candidates are selected through a highly competitive dual application process involving both the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK and the Indian Ministry of Education (MoE)
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Applicants must register and submit their applications on both the CSC Central online system and the MoE's SAKSHAT portal
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failure to apply on both platforms will lead to disqualification
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The MoE reviews all Indian applications and nominates approximately 39 candidates to the CSC from over 4,500 submissions
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The CSC then makes the final scholarship decisions based on academic merit, the applicant's potential to contribute to sustainable development in India, and how well their proposed study aligns with one of the six CSC development themes
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Financial need is also a key eligibility criterion.

Renewal Policy

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The Commonwealth Masters Scholarship is typically awarded for a one-year full-time taught Master's degree program in the UK
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Therefore, annual renewal conditions are not applicable, as the scholarship is designed to cover the entire duration of the one-year course.

How to Apply Online

Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.

1
Secure UK University Admission * Begin by applying to at least three UK universities that participate in the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme. It is crucial to obtain an admission offer from a UK university for a relevant Master's program. The Ministry of Education (MoE) in India will typically not nominate candidates without a confirmed admission letter. University admissions for September/October 2026 intake often close between January and July 2026. For the 2027/28 cycle, plan accordingly.
2
Apply on CSC Central Portal * Register and submit your scholarship application through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) online application system, known as 'CSC Central'. Prepare your answers offline beforehand, as the system uses two-factor authentication and may not auto-save. The application form requires detailed information on your academic background, work experience, three references, a four-part Development Impact Statement, your proposed study plan, and five-year career goals. The deadline for the 2026/27 cycle was October 14, 2025 (16:00 BST). The 2027/28 cycle is expected to open in August/September 2026 with a deadline around mid-October 2026.
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Apply on MoE's SAKSHAT Portal * Simultaneously, you must apply through the Indian Ministry of Education's SAKSHAT portal. It is mandatory to upload a saved PDF copy of your submitted CSC Central application onto the SAKSHAT portal. Note that the SAKSHAT portal typically has a different, often later, deadline than the CSC Central system. For the 2026 scholarship, the SAKSHAT deadline was extended to December 24, 2025. Always confirm the current cycle's specific deadlines on the Ministry of Education's website (education.gov.in or dohe-education.gov.in).
4
Await Nomination and Final Selection** * After the application deadlines, the Ministry of Education will review all applications submitted via SAKSHAT, shortlist candidates, and nominate them to the CSC. Being nominated by the MoE is a highly competitive stage and does not guarantee the scholarship. The CSC in the UK then makes the final selection of scholars. Results for the 2026/27 cycle are anticipated in July 2026, with studies commencing in September/October 2026. For the 2027/28 cycle, results are expected in July 2027, with studies commencing in September/October 2027.

Common Questions (FAQs)

Is an offer letter from a UK university mandatory at the time of application?

While the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) itself may not strictly require an offer letter at the initial application stage for Master's scholarships, the Indian Ministry of Education (MoE), which acts as the nominating agency, typically requires a confirmed admission letter from a UK university participating in the CSC scheme. It is highly recommended to secure university admission as early as possible, ideally before or shortly after the scholarship application portals open.

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Legal Disclaimer

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 Commonwealth Scholarship Commission website before final submission.