India has awarded Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships to 541 Bangladeshi students for the 2026–27 academic year to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies at leading Indian institutions.

High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Shri Dinesh Trivedi congratulated the recipients at a send-off ceremony hosted by the High Commission of India in Dhaka on Tuesday, according to a press release.

Addressing the students, Shri Dinesh Trivedi encouraged them to serve as ambassadors of Bangladesh and India during their stay in the country.

He urged the students to use the opportunity not only to excel in their respective fields but also to explore India, build lasting friendships and strengthen connections between the two countries.

More than 120 scholarship recipients from Dhaka attended the event at the High Commission premises. They will travel to India shortly to study subjects ranging from engineering and pharmacy to fine arts and music.

Of this year’s 541 scholarship recipients, 500 were awarded the Subarno Jayanti Scholarship to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as non-STEM disciplines.

Another 38 students received the Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarship to pursue courses related to dance, music and culture in India.

Three students were awarded the ICCR’s Quad Scholarship, enabling them to pursue undergraduate STEM courses in India.

More than 7,700 applications were received from across Bangladesh this year. The 541 recipients were selected following proficiency tests and interviews conducted by the High Commission of India in Dhaka and the assistant high commissions across Bangladesh.

Shri Dinesh Trivedi said only a small proportion of the applicants had secured the scholarships.

He said India was ready to welcome the scholars with open arms and that studying there would offer them an opportunity to experience the country’s diversity.

The high commissioner thanked the recipients’ parents for nurturing the students’ talents and placing their trust in India as a destination for higher education.

The ICCR Scholarship Programme is a flagship initiative of the Government of India that allows meritorious Bangladeshi nationals to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses in engineering, science, literature, humanities, fine arts and other disciplines at leading Indian institutions.

Recipients can study at institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, University of Delhi, Visva-Bharati University, University of Mumbai and Anna University.

The fully funded scholarships cover tuition and other university fees. Recipients also receive monthly stipends from the ICCR to meet their living expenses.