What is the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship?
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation is a private philanthropic trust established in memory of Inlaks Shivdasani. Founded in 1976 by the Shivdasani family, it has funded hundreds of exceptional Indian students to pursue studies at the world's most prestigious institutions — Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, LSE, ETH Zurich, and more.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Award Amount | Up to $90,000 (approx. ₹75 lakhs) — spread over the degree duration |
| Scholarship Type | Full grant (no repayment required) |
| Eligible Degrees | Masters (taught & research), MPhil, PhD (first year only) |
| Target Universities | Top 50 globally ranked institutions (USA, UK, Europe) |
| Scholars Selected | ~15–20 per year |
| Application Deadline | Typically late January–February (verify at inlaksfoundation.org) |
| Income Criterion | No income cutoff — purely merit-based |
Eligibility: Who Can Apply for Inlaks Scholarship?
Core Requirements
- Nationality: Indian nationals only (resident in India at time of application)
- Age: Under 30 years at the time of application
- Degree Sought: Postgraduate (Masters, MPhil) or the first year of a PhD program
- Academic Excellence: Outstanding undergraduate academic record — typically first class / distinction throughout
- University: Must have applied to (or received an offer from) a globally ranked institution in the top 50
Eligible Fields of Study
- Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (strong historical preference)
- Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
- Architecture and Urban Design
- Medicine and Public Health
- Engineering (select programs)
- Note: Business/MBA programs are generally NOT funded by Inlaks
Who is NOT Eligible
- Applicants pursuing MBA or purely business-oriented degrees
- Students above 30 years of age
- Students already studying abroad (must still be resident in India at application)
- Students applying to institutions outside the top-50 global ranking
Application Process: Step-by-Step
Phase 1: Written Application (January–February)
- Complete online application at inlaksfoundation.org
- Upload academic transcripts (all years of undergraduate study)
- Academic CV (publications, research, leadership, awards)
- Statement of Purpose — your academic ambition and how this study will contribute to India or your field
- Two academic/professional reference letters (from professors or employers who know your work well)
- Proof of university application or admission offer
Phase 2: Shortlist Interview (March–April)
- ~60–80 candidates are shortlisted for interview from the full applicant pool
- Interviews are held in Mumbai, Delhi, and sometimes other major cities
- Panel typically includes Inlaks Foundation trustees, past scholars, and academics
- Interview tests intellectual depth, articulacy, and vision — not just academic performance
Phase 3: Final Selection (April–May)
- ~15–20 scholars selected from the shortlisted group
- Results communicated by May–June, before most September/October intakes
SOP Tips for Inlaks
- Inlaks values intellectual ambition — show depth of thought, not just career goals
- Connect your research/academic interest to a broader societal question
- Be specific: name professors you want to work with, courses you plan to take, research questions you want to explore
- Demonstrate that you are already producing work at a high level (published papers, exhibitions, projects)
- Avoid generic statements — Inlaks scholars are typically exceptional in their field already
What the Inlaks Scholarship Covers
- Tuition fees: Covered up to the award ceiling for the duration of the program
- Living allowance: Monthly stipend to cover accommodation, food, and daily expenses
- Return air travel: Economy class from India to the host country and back
- Health insurance: Covered or contribution provided
- Total value: Up to $90,000 — one of the largest private scholarships available to Indian students
Inlaks vs Other Indian Scholarships
| Scholarship | Amount | Income Criteria | Fields | Repayable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inlaks | Up to $90,000 | None | Arts, Sciences, Engineering | No |
| NSF (Narotam) | Up to ₹25L | Below ₹10L/yr | All fields | Partial |
| KC Mahindra | Up to $10,000 | None | All fields (not PhD) | No |
| Tata Trust | Up to ₹15L | Below ₹6L/yr | All fields | No |