ICCR opens AYUSH Scholarship 2026–27 for international students in India

Applications are now open for the ICCR AYUSH Scholarship Scheme 2026 to 2027, inviting foreign nationals to pursue studies in traditional Indian systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. The last date to apply is May 15, 2026.

Offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations on behalf of the Ministry of AYUSH, the scholarship is part of the International Fellowship Programme and provides financial support to international students enrolling in higher education programs in India.

The initiative comes amid rising global interest in alternative medicine and aims to attract students to Indian institutions specializing in traditional healthcare systems.

The scheme covers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs. At the undergraduate level, courses include Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery, Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery, and Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery, each spanning 5.5 years with internship components. Other options include BSc in Yoga and BA in Yoga Shastra, both three-year programs.

At the postgraduate level, students can pursue MD programs in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy, each of three years, as well as MSc in Yoga, which is two years. Doctoral options include PhD programs in Ayurveda and Unani, each of three years.

To be eligible, applicants must be foreign nationals aged 18 years or above with no upper age limit. Undergraduate applicants must have completed 12 years of schooling, with a science background required for medical courses.

Postgraduate candidates must hold relevant recognized degrees, while PhD applicants need a recognized postgraduate qualification. All documents must be submitted with English translations where required.

The application process is fully online. Candidates need to apply through the A2A portal at a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in, complete the form, upload required documents, and submit their applications before the deadline. Applicants may also need to register on the Study in India portal for visa and related formalities.

Selected candidates will receive financial assistance, admission to leading AYUSH institutions, and airfare support at the beginning and end of the program. The scholarship also offers exposure to India’s traditional healthcare systems.

Applications will be reviewed by ICCR, and admission must be confirmed by the respective institution before the scholarship is granted. Final selection is subject to meeting eligibility criteria and completing admission and visa processes.

The program reflects India’s expanding global footprint in traditional medicine education, as international demand for Ayurveda, Yoga, and related disciplines continues to grow.