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POLICY GUIDELINES and INSTRUCTIONS FOR ICCR ADMINISTERED
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME (FOR APPLICANTS)
The application for opted 5 Universities/institutes in preferential order has to be
applied through A2A Scholarship portal only.

A. ONLINE APPLICATION FORM and RELATED INFORMATION:
1. DOs and DON’Ts for filling in the application
i. All applications will be accepted online through A2A ICCR Scholarship Portal (http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in) only.
ii. Applications will not be accepted physically in Missions/ ICCR/ Universities.
iii. Applications will not be accepted locally (in lndia).
iv. Applications should be complete in every detail to avoid rejection of the same by the
A2A portal.
V. ln case of documents available in local language, applicants are requested to upload
certified copies of translations of these documents in English. In case of unavailability of
English transcript, the application will be rejected.
vi. Applicants applying for M.Phil / Doctoral / Post-Doctoral courses should submit a
synopsis along with the application.
vii. Applicants wishing to pursue performing arts course should upload the latest
video/audio/YouTube Iink of their performance.
viii. Students who are already pursuing Under Graduate (UG) and Post Graduate (PG)
ccourses in lndia and intend to pursue further studies and apply for M.Phil / PhD after
completing UG/PG courses will have to apply afresh through A2A portal to process
these applications, as the applications will not be entertained and processed physically.
ix. ICCR scholarships are meant for admissions only in the lndian State/ Central
Universities or colleges affiliated to and recognized by the lndian State and Central
Universities from the list available on the Portal.
x. ICCR does not offer scholarship for admissions in private colleges or Universities.
xi. Student has the option of applying in 5 Universities/institutes of his/her choice in
preferential order.
xii. ln lndian Universities, in order to pursue studies in engineering, science streams,
students should have studied Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in high school. In
Biology-based science subjects, students should have studied Biology, Physics and
Chemistry in high school. ln order to avoid rejection from Universities/colleges,
applicants are advised to make their subject choices carefully, based on the subjects
they have studied in high school.
xiii. For admission in UG level courses, it is compulsory to have 10+2 i.e; (12 years) of
schooling. lt is therefore necessary that the student applying for UG level courses must
complete 12 years of schooling.
xiv. List of courses offered in various universities may be referred to on
University websites by the applicants. List of Universities, where applicant can
apply, is available on A2A Portal. This is to avoid time delays in processing
applications, in case the course desired by an applicant is not available in a
particular university. A2A Portal also provides web links of each University and
courses offered by them at the time of filling the application and selection of
university and courses.
xv. Applicants are advised to read all the instructions on the online portal for filling
online application and leave no field blank.

2. Selection of Subjects, Courses and Universities

i. For admission to science/ engineering courses, an applicant should have studied
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry at Higher Secondary level to be eligible.
ii. Applicants should clearly mention the course to which they are seeking admission
while mentioning choices.
iii. For choosing options for Universities, applicants must refer to University websites or
list of Universities where ICCR students are currently studying. List of Universities is
available on the Scholarship Portal.
iv. As, IITs don’t provide admission in B.Tech Course to foreign students, they should
not opt for the same while applying.
v. For MBA, GMAT Score is mandatory.
vi. ICCR does not accept applications for Casual Research/ Diplomas/ Short-term
courses.
vii. ICCR does not offer scholarship for MBBS/BDS courses.
viii. Applicants of Ph.D. courses should upload Synopsis (Proposal) of the research
work .

3. Medium of instruction and English language proficiency

i. Medium of instruction is English in all the Universities in lndia. Applicants should
therefore have good knowledge of English to the extent that they are able to fluently
speak in English and comprehend lessons in English without any difficulty.
ii. While filling the application, the applicant has to write a 500 word essay in English
language, on one of the topics / subject mentioned in the Portal.
iii. There is an optional provision of providing marks obtained in an English Proficiency
Test like TOFEL/ILETS etc. Only the marks obtained in such exams should be filled in.

4. More than one application of one candidate on A2A Portal will disqualify the
application.
5. lt is a compulsory requirement of Indian Universities/institutes for foreign students to
have a passport to study in lndia, which also include applicants from countries not
requiring passport for travel to India.
6. Passport size photograph of applicant with white background and visibility of both the
ears should be uploaded.
7. The application once submitted by student will directly go to selected
Universities/institutes through A2A Portal.
8. The application will be scrutinized by the respective Universities/institutes for
eligibility of admission of applicant in the applied course and stream.

9. About the Admissions
lndian Universities/educational institutes are autonomous and independent bodies and
have their own eligibility criteria. lt is, therefore, for the students to satisfy themselves
about the course chosen and the confirmation given by the Universities. Their
admission is provisional till the time Universities satisfy themselves of the authenticity of
requisite documents from the students. lf on arrival, it is found that the student does not
possess the required original documents on the basis of copies of which the admission
has been finalized, the students will themselves be responsible for the consequences
including denial of admission by the Universities and student will have to return at own
cost. ICCR will not bear cost on such student’s return airfare. The student should bring
the following documents:
(i) Original documents relating to their qualifications for verification by the respective
college/University.
(ii) English Translation of the documents in original.
(iii) Certified copy of the syllabus of the last qualifying examination.
(iv) Valid passport with appropriate visa. Student visa for undergraduate/post graduate
and research visa for Ph D. Students.
(v) Award of scholarship letter issued by the concerned Indian Mission.
(vi) Undertaking from the student that the course and the University as conveyed is
acceptable and that he/she will not request for change at the time of admission.
10. Admission of student on the basis of eligibility from one or more than one
Indian University does not guarantee award of ICCR sponsored scholarship.
lndian Mission in each country will decide on the award of scholarship to applicant and
letter of award of scholarship will be issued to student. For award of scholarship the
decision of lndian Mission is final and any query regarding it should be taken up with
them.
11. lt may be noted that the admission remains provisional till the time Universities
verify the authenticity of original documents. lf original documents are not found in order
on which provisional admission has been granted by University, the admission offer will
be revoked and the student will have to return to their country at their own cost. Once
the scholarship is considered, lndian Mission will issue an offer of admission with award
of scholarship for acceptance of applicant. Applicant will have 7days time to accept /
reject the offer. ln case applicant wishes to accept the offer, an automated acceptance
letter has to signed digitally by the student and submitted for further process.
12. After submitting the acceptance, the applicant should approach lndian Mission for
issuance of appropriate Student / Research Visa with the required document and letter
of award of Indian scholarship.
13. Once the Indian visa is granted, a copy of the visa should be uploaded by the
applicant on A2A Portal.
14. Pre-departure formalities
Booking of tickets:
(i) The student should book the ticket up to the airport nearest to the place of
University/college where the admission has been confirmed. While booking the tickets,
students must ensure that there is sufficient gap between the timings of the connecting
flights so that there is enough time to complete the transit formalities, particularly in view
of the Covid-19 induced restrictions and delays thereof. There have been instances
when the students have missed their connecting flights due to insufficient layover.
(ii) The student should check the allowed baggage regulations. There may be difference
of baggage allowance in domestic and international flights. Students must carry the
baggage equivalent to the limit of the lower category (domestic/international). In any
case, ICCR will not pay any additional amount on account of excess baggage other
than the domestic airlines baggage allowance.
(iii) Immediately on purchase of ticket, the students should upload their travel details on
the A2A portal to enable the relevant ICCR Regional Office make necessary
arrangement for reception at airport. Flight details should ideally be conveyed at least
15 days prior to the journey. If airport reception is not required, students should
specifically mention that they do not require any assistance at the airport on arrival.
(iv) Students should go through the Covid Protocol/ requirements such as RT-PCR test/
quarantine requirements and follow the same to avoid any complications. Student may
check with the concerned Indian Mission/post the latest Covid-19 regulations in India
applicable to them at the time of their travel.
(v) Students should carry yellow fever vaccination certificate wherever necessary.
(vi) Students are advised to carry with themselves US$ 700 (at least equivalent to Rs.
50,000/-) to meet immediate expenses.
(vii) On arrival, students should contact Regional Office, ICCR and get themselves
registered with Regional Office. Students must also get themselves registered with
Foreign Regional Registration Office within a period of 14 days from arrived in India.
(viii) Each student has to procure a medical insurance policy for a value of Rs. Five
lakhs. As per the latest ICCR guidelines, medical insurance is compulsory for the
students (at their cost). Students may buy medical insurance in their country before
departure or on their arrival in India. It is up to the students to select the insurance
package.
(ix) Students should carry with them passport-size photographs and the joining report
form (to be downloaded from A2A portal).
15. Travel arrangements should be completed and ‘Travel Details’ should be filled in by
the applicant on A2A Portal. An email should also be sent to the International Student
Advisor of the University endorsing copy to ICCR Regional Office for arranging
reception on arrival in lndia. This should be done at least 10days prior to departure to
lndia so that transit accommodation and detailed coordinates of concerned persons are
informed to the student. lt is to ensure that student traveling to lndia must be in touch
with ICCR Regional Office and University.
16. On arrival, student should buy a Mobile Sim-Card. A welcome kit shall be handed
over to student. The kit will contain detailed addresses, email, mobile no. of RO, lSA,
FRRO, city guide booklet, financial norms of ICCR sponsored Scholarship Schemes,
bank account opening and any other relevant information as deemed appropriate by
Regional Office of ICCR.
17. Complete of admission/registration formalities with Regional office of ICCR, Foreign
Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and University.
18. Immediately on their arrival students will have to open an account for which bank
opening form and a letter from ICCR Regional Office / University concerned would be
required recommending immediate opening of bank account at the nearest branch of
State Bank of lndia.
19. lt is important to note that student will not be paid any money in cash or otherwise till
the bank account is opened. Therefore student must carry minimum money as advised
above to meet initial expenditure. Three months’ advance stipend/ scholarship through
direct bank transfer will be released once bank account is opened and registered by
ICCR.
20. After completing the formalities, student should fill up the Joining Report (JR) in
prescribed proforma duly signed by international Student Advisor / Head of Department
of University and send it along with the demand of Tuition fee/ other compulsory fees
structure for the entire duration of course (to be provided by ISA / HoD of University/
institute). While filling up the JR, it is advised to fill the details related to date of birth,
nationality, course, college details, registration number etc with utmost care.
21. The Joining report should be uploaded by student on A2A Portal. Except for
advance stipend, no other money will be released till the JR is received by ICCR
Regional Office.
22. ICCR will organize an Orientation Programme for newly arriving students within the
first week of the arrival. Cultural immersion Programme shall be organized by Regional
Office in due course.
23. ICCR Regional offices have a What’s-app group for foreign students and shall
remain in touch on a regular basis.
24. Student should ensure that regular half yearly progress report/results of semester
exams along with certificate of attendance issued by Head of Department/ ISA of
University/institute and the valid medical insurance policy should be submitted to ICCR
Regional Office for smooth release of stipend etc.
25. Residential address should be informed to ICCR Regional Office and FRRO
compulsorily. ln case of change of accommodation the new address should also be
conveyed to ICCR RO and FRRO immediately.
26. After admission, the students are advised to stay in the University/college hostel.
However, in case they choose to stay in private accommodation, they will have to give
an undertaking that they themselves are responsible for their security. If they are
staying in University/college hostel, they would have to adhere to hostel policies. Failing
to observe hostel rules will lead to disciplinary action by University/college.
27. Student will have the option either to stay in Hostel or private house
accommodation. However, ICCR will pay either admissible House Rent or admissible
Hostel fees. Mid-term shifting from Hostel to private accommodation or vice-versa shall
not be entertained in financial terms by ICCR. Please read the financial terms and
conditions of ICCR.
28. ICCR has a right to bring in change in the policy as well as Financial Terms of
scholarship and implement it as and when it is felt so by ICCR under
intimation/dissemination of decision through popular medium of Regional Office, to
which every student has to abide.
29. No student shall indulge themselves in criminal/anti-social activities. In case of
rustication from University, the scholarship will be terminated.
30. Scholarship shall be disbursed on the basis of regular progress of the student. ln
case student fails in examination and does not get promoted to next level of
study/programme, the scholarship will be discontinued. No scholarship shall be paid for
clearing backlog. There is a special provision for this under Afghan Scholarship
Schemes.
31. The scholarship tenure cannot exceed for the period of 3 weeks after declaration of
results of final year.
32.The tenure of scholarship for regular Ph.D. student is 3 years. lt should be an
endeavour of each research student to complete the dissertation work within 3 years of
regular Ph.D. study tenure. However, in any case extant ICCR norms restrict the
maximum period of scholarship up to 5 years. ICCR provides maximum period of 6
months scholarship to defend / Viva Voce the research for Ph.D. students.
Students should keep informed the ROs about their movement within India. If, leaving
for their country/abroad, intimation or permission from ROs may be obtained.
33. Regarding Revival/Extension of Scholarship
(i) Beginning 2021-22 academic session, in case a new student fails in first year,
his/her Scholarship would be suspended for one -year and he/she would have to self
finance his/her studies. Scholarship may be revived from next year (at the end of 2ndyear)
provided student clears the first year. In case student fails second time, his/her
Scholarship will stand terminated and he/she would have to complete his/her course as a
self finance student. In any case, scholarship would not be given for more than the
prescribed length of course except for PhD where there is flexibility.
34. Student should fill up the Alumni Form available on A2A Portal before leaving lndia.
The will help alumni of ICCR to be in touch for future ICCR activities as well be helpful
in future if their children apply for lCCR Scholarship etc.
35. lt should be ensured that the local bank account is closed before leaving lndia. This
will ensure security from misuse of the dormant bank account.
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