The Rhodes Scholarships for India 2025–26 offers an exceptional opportunity for Indian students to pursue fully funded postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford. The Rhodes Scholarship for India 2025–26 is a prestigious, fully funded opportunity for outstanding Indian students to pursue postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. 🇮🇳 Six scholarships will be awarded to Indian citizens (PIO/OCI holders are not eligible) or recognized refugees/asylum-seekers residing in India. Applicants must have studied in India for at least four of the last ten years and meet specific age criteria 18–23 on October 1, 2025, with exceptions up to age 27 for those completing degrees later.
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Eligibility Criteria for Rhodes Scholarships for India
- Must be a citizen of India holding a valid Indian passport (PIO/OCI holders are not eligible), or a recognized refugee/asylum seeker residing in India.
- Need to have completed at least four years of formal study in India during the last ten years, AND either:
- Completed a school‑leaving exam (10th or 12th standard) in India, OR
- Be in the final year, or have completed, an undergraduate degree at an Indian university.
- Applicant must be between 18–23 years (born between 2 Oct 2001 – 1 Oct 2007), OR
- The Applicant must be under 27 years (born after 1 Oct 1998) AND must have completed undergrad academic requirements on or after 1 Oct 2024.
- The Applicant must have completed, or be on track to complete, an undergraduate degree (typically a Bachelor’s) by July 2026.
- Academic credentials must meet or exceed the Oxford course entry requirements—ideally a First‑Class Honours or equivalent.
Benefits of Rhodes Scholarships for India
Here are the key benefits of the Rhodes Scholarship for India (2025–26):
- Full Oxford fees: Complete coverage of University and college tuition costs .
- Annual stipend: Approximately £19,000–£19,800 per year to cover living and accommodation expenses
- Travel costs: Economy-class flights both to and from Oxford at the start and end of the course
- Visa & health: Full coverage of student visa fees and the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Important link:
- Benefits of Online MBA
- MBBS Abroad with Scholarships
- Study in Germany for free for Indian Students
- Masters in UK Fully Funded
Last Date
The last to apply for Rhodes Scholarship is 23th July,2025
Documents Required for Rhodes Scholarships for India
There are a few necessary documents that the applicants must keep with them while filling the Rhodes Scholarships application form. The candidates must upload scanned copies of the following documents to complete their application process:
- Valid Indian passport or government-issued proof (e.g. Voter ID)
- Birth certificate or passport page to verify your age and parentage
- University/college transcripts (undergraduate performance)
- 10th and 12th-grade (or equivalent) marksheets
- If applicable, documentation showing four years of formal study in India in the last ten years
- Personal statement (up to ~1,000 words)
- Academic statement (~350 words)
- Curriculum Vitae, limited to 2 A4 pages (without photo)
- A head–and–shoulders color photo in JPG format; only reviewed after shortlisting
- English proficiency evidence (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL), only if English is not your first language
- Official translations for any documents not in English
Application Process for Rhodes Scholarships for India
- Click on the ‘Apply Now‘ button.
- Click the ‘Register’ button and fill in the required registration details. (Note – If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email Id)
- Navigate to the ‘Check Your Eligibility and Apply’ option on the left-hand side of the dashboard and click on it.
- Check the eligibility to proceed with the application process.
- When the ‘Apply Now‘ button appears, click on it to proceed with the application process.
- After successful registration, log in to access the application form.
- Fill in the required details, upload the documents and submit the application.
Note:- For detailed information, kindly go through the ‘Scholarship Detail’ document.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Who is eligible to apply for Rhodes Scholarships?
Indian citizens (valid passport; PIO/OCI ineligible) or recognized refugees/asylum seekers in India who have studied at least 4 of the last 10 years in India and completed 10th/12th or an undergraduate degree here .
2.What are the age criteria of Rhodes Scholarships?
Applicants must be aged 18–23 on 1 Oct 2025 (born between 2 Oct 2001–1 Oct 2007), or under 27 with late-degree completion on/after 1 Oct 2024.
3.Do I need to hold an undergraduate degree?
Yes—must have completed or be on track to complete by July 2026. First-class or equivalent is strongly recommended .
4.Are part-time or distance courses acceptable?
No; the scholarship supports only full-time postgraduate study at Oxford.
5.Can Indians studying abroad apply for Rhodes Scholarships?
Yes—as long as you’ve completed at least one degree in India.
6.When do applications open and close of Rhodes Scholarships?
Opens 2 June 2025 and closes 23:59 IST on 23 July 2025 .
7.Is there an application fee?
No, applying through the Rhodes portal is free.
8.What stages are involved in Rhodes Scholarships?
- Click on the ‘Apply Now‘ button.
- Click the ‘Register’ button and fill in the required registration details. (Note – If already registered, log in using Gmail/Mobile number/Email Id)
- Navigate to the ‘Check Your Eligibility and Apply’ option on the left-hand side of the dashboard and click on it.
- Check the eligibility to proceed with the application process.
- When the ‘Apply Now‘ button appears, click on it to proceed with the application process.
- After successful registration, log in to access the application form.
- Fill in the required details, upload the documents and submit the application.
Note:- For detailed information, kindly go through the ‘Scholarship Detail’ document.
9.How many letters of recommendation are needed to apply for Rhodes Scholarships?
Four to six, with at least three from academic referees .
10.Is an English proficiency test required for Rhodes Scholarships?
Only if English isn’t your first language .
11.What else must I submit for Rhodes Scholarships?
Passport + birth certificate, academic transcripts (10th–undergrad), CV, personal & academic statements, and a JPG photo.
12.How many scholarships are awarded?
Six are awarded annually for India .
13.What costs are covered in Rhodes Scholarships?
Full Oxford and college fees, living stipend (~£19 000–£19 800 p.a.), two return economy flights, visa & health surcharge, settling-in allowance, and renewal support for second degrees .
14.What’s the stipend amount of Rhodes Scholarships?
Approximately £19,000–£19,800 per year (~£1,590/month) .
15.How long is the funding period of ?
Typically two years, with possible third-year extension (eg, for DPhil) .
16.Which study programs are eligible for Rhodes Scholarships?
Full-time postgraduate courses at Oxford: 1‑year MSc/MSt/BCL (up to two consecutive), 2‑year MPhil/MSc, 3‑year DPhil, or 2‑year BA (Senior Status) .
17.Can I study a part-time course?
No, only full-time courses are eligible.
18.What qualities do they look for?
Academic excellence, leadership, character, public‑mindedness, and energy—following Cecil Rhodes’s original rubric .
19.What’s the competitiveness of Rhodes Scholarships?
Globally, Rhodes Scholarships have about a 0.7% acceptance rate—a highly selective program .
20.Does a Rhodes Scholarship guarantee Oxford admission?
No—scholars must apply separately to Oxford, but selection is contingent on meeting Oxford’s admission requirements .
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