Commonwealth Masters Scholarships
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission · All India
| Scheme Name | Commonwealth Masters Scholarships |
| Provided By | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
| Eligibility Summary | Masters · No income limit |
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 Master's Scholarship is a fully funded scholarship for Indian students to pursue a one-year taught Master's in the UK. It covers full tuition fees, approved return airfare from India to the UK, and a monthly living stipend. For the 2026-27 academic year, the monthly stipend was approximately Rs. 1,85,490 for scholars outside London and Rs. 2,27,455 for scholars in London. This amounts to an estimated annual stipend of Rs. 2,225,880 outside London and Rs. 2,729,460 in London. Additionally, scholars receive an allowance for warm clothing, a thesis grant, and a study travel grant. Given the scholarship is for study in the UK, direct benefit transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts in India is not applicable for the disbursement of funds in the UK.
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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 based on several criteria including academic merit, the quality and feasibility of their study plan, and the potential development impact they can make in India upon their return
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Financial need is an explicit eligibility condition, requiring applicants to demonstrate their inability to fund UK study without the scholarship
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Indian applicants must first secure an offer of admission for an eligible one-year Master's program from a UK university that is part of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) scheme
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The application process involves submission through two mandatory portals: the CSC's own online application system (CSC Central) and India's national nominating agency, the Ministry of Education (MoE), via its SAKSHAT portal
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The Ministry of Education shortlists candidates based on their applications and may conduct personal interviews in New Delhi, subsequently nominating candidates to the CSC
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Final selection rests with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Renewal Policy
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The Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is typically awarded for a one-year full-time taught Master's program in the UK
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As such, annual renewal conditions are generally not applicable for this specific scholarship
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The award covers the duration of the Master's program.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via the official portal. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Secure UK University Admission
Before applying for the scholarship, you must obtain an offer of admission for an eligible one-year full-time Master's program at a UK university listed on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) website. Many university programs close admissions well before the scholarship deadlines, so apply for university admission early (often between January and July).
- 2Apply on CSC Central
Register and complete your application on the CSC's online application system (CSC Central). This portal requires details on your academic background, work experience, three references, a four-part Development Impact Statement, study plan, and five-year career goals. The application for the 2027/28 cycle opened on September 8, 2026, and closes at 16:00 BST on October 20, 2026. Ensure all details are correct as no changes can be made after submission.
- 3Submit on the MoE's SAKSHAT Portal
You must also submit a separate application through the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India's SAKSHAT portal (likely accessible via scholarship.samarth.ac.in). Typically, you will need to upload a saved PDF of your completed CSC Central application here. The MoE's SAKSHAT portal has its own independent deadline, which often falls a few months after the CSC Central deadline; always confirm the exact dates on education.gov.in or the SAKSHAT portal.
- 4Track Application Status
You can track the status of your application through both the CSC Central system and the MoE's SAKSHAT portal. Successful applicants generally receive a provisional selection letter, followed by a formal Notification of Award from the CSC.
Common Questions (FAQs)
Is the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship fully funded?
Yes, the Commonwealth Master's Scholarship is fully funded. It covers comprehensive expenses including full tuition fees, an approved return airfare from your home country to the UK, a monthly living stipend to cover accommodation and daily expenses, a warm clothing allowance, and grants for study-related travel and thesis completion.
What are the minimum academic requirements for Indian applicants?
Indian applicants must hold a first degree of at least an upper second-class (2:1) honours standard, which translates to a minimum of 60% marks by September of the year the award starts. Candidates with a lower second-class degree (50-59% marks) may be considered if they also possess a relevant postgraduate qualification, such as a Master's degree.
Do Indian students need to apply through both the CSC and the Ministry of Education?
Yes, it is mandatory for Indian applicants to apply through two separate systems: the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's (CSC) online application system (CSC Central) and India's national nominating agency, the Ministry of Education (MoE), via its SAKSHAT portal. Failure to submit applications on both portals will result in disqualification, regardless of the strength of the individual submission.
Plan your study abroad
Use these guides to plan your next steps. Check this scholarship's eligibility before choosing a university or program.
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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.