India is the world’s largest democracy, with a vibrant and growing economy, rich history, kaleidoscopic diversity, and an enormous appetite for education. Its education system is among the largest and continues to expand at a rapid pace. India attracts faculty and students to study, teach and conduct research, its expertise extending beyond the technical and business fields to nearly all academic disciplines.
India’s education priorities include increasing access and equity and improving the quality of teaching and research. The Indian higher education system follows the British model, and all instruction is in English. The system is comprised of universities and university-level institutions, colleges, and diploma-awarding institutions (e.g., polytechnics and specialist institutes). Institutions are also categorized by funding sources: central government, state government and private. Undergraduate admission is highly competitive and is exam-based for most disciplines and institutions. For arts, commerce, and science the bachelor’s degree program is three years in duration; for bachelor’s programs in engineering and technology, the degrees are four years in duration. Master’s degrees are typically two-year programs. More information about the Indian system of higher education.
The expansion of the Fulbright Program in India has been an important development. The government of India became an equal partner in the financial support of the Fulbright Program in 2008, providing significant resources to increase the number of grants and renaming it to the Fulbright-Nehru Program. USIEF administers the Fulbright-Nehru U.S. Scholar Program, providing in-country support for grantees through its five offices (New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai).
The Fulbright-Nehru Program represents the diversity of American and Indian academia. Applications are welcome from faculty, researchers and professionals, including scholars in the early stages of their careers.
The goal of the Fulbright Program in India is to ensure scholars have a deeply enriching and productive experience, academically and culturally, promoting mutual understanding between countries.
The academic year in India generally runs from July to April. Some institutions have adopted the semester system and others follow the traditional academic session with grading based on end-of-year examinations.
Fulbright-Nehru U.S. scholars are not permitted to travel to the Union Territory of Jammu or Kashmir.
All grantees receive an in-country briefing upon arrival in India. The Fulbright Commission in India pays careful attention to the safety of grantees, including those with families: spouses and children are welcome.