Ambassador's Scholarship Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Studying in India gives Bhutanese students access to a wide range of educational opportunities, but managing education expenses can be challenging for some families. The Ambassador's Scholarship provides financial support to help eligible students continue their studies. The Ambassador's Scholarship is a Government of India scholarship for eligible self-financing Bhutanese students who are already studying in India. Under the 2026-27 cycle, students studying in Indian schools, colleges and universities, as well as eligible vocational and Buddhist studies programmes, can apply. The scholarship is given as a one-time lump-sum amount. The amount may vary based on the course, merit and other relevant factors.

The scholarship was started in 2001 and is part of the education cooperation between India and Bhutan. In the 2025-26 academic year, 1,747 students received the scholarship, with a total disbursement of Nu. 79.64 million. The scholarship is different from programmes meant for students seeking admission to India because applicants must already be studying at an eligible institution in India.

The scholarship is managed by the Education Section of the Embassy of India, Thimphu, under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Students can check the official Embassy of India, Thimphu website for scholarship notices, application forms and other instructions. For 2026-27, applications opened on 29 September 2026, and the last date to apply is 14 October 2026.

To apply, students must already be enrolled in a regular programme at an eligible Indian institution. The 2026-27 cycle covers school students from Class I to XII, along with eligible UG, PG, vocational and Buddhist studies students. Students who have completed their course, are appearing for repeat examinations, are studying outside India or are enrolled in distance-learning programmes cannot apply. Students receiving specified Government of India or Royal Government of Bhutan scholarships, including ICCR, Nehru Wangchuck, India-Bhutan Friendship, Nalanda University and GoI Undergraduate scholarships, are also not eligible.

The application is submitted online. The Embassy advises students to use a laptop or desktop computer while filling out the form. Applicants need to choose the correct form, enter their personal and academic details, provide bank information and upload the required documents. College, vocational and Buddhist studies students generally need to provide a bank account in their own name. For school students, the account can be in the student's or guardian's name. All details and documents should match the applicant's official records. Submitting the form does not guarantee selection.

For questions about eligibility, documents or the application process, students can contact the Education Section, Embassy of India, Thimphu. The contact number is +975-2-339656, and the email address is [email protected]. As the scholarship is awarded for one academic year, eligible students need to submit a fresh application with updated information each year.

Scheme Benefits

The Ambassador's Scholarship provides financial support to eligible Bhutanese students who are already pursuing their studies in India on a self-financing basis. The main benefits include:

• Provides a one-time lump-sum scholarship to eligible students for the academic year.
• The scholarship amount is decided based on the student's course of study, merit and other relevant factors; there is no fixed amount for every student.
• Supports eligible Bhutanese students studying in Indian schools, colleges and universities, as well as vocational and Buddhist studies programmes.
• Helps self-financing students manage education-related expenses while continuing their studies in India.
• School students, college students, vocational students and students pursuing Buddhist studies can apply under the applicable 2026-27 category.
• Eligible students can receive support during their course of study by submitting a fresh application with updated documents each year.
• In 2025-26, the scholarship supported 1,747 students with a total disbursement of Nu. 79.64 million.

The scholarship amount varies from student to student, so the official sources do not prescribe a single fixed financial benefit for all beneficiaries.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for the Ambassador's Scholarship, students should check the eligibility conditions carefully. The scholarship is meant for Bhutanese students who are already studying in India and meet the current academic and scholarship-related requirements.

• The applicant must be a Bhutanese national with a valid Bhutanese Citizenship ID.
• The applicant must already be enrolled and studying in a recognised Indian school, college, university, vocational institution or Buddhist studies institution.
• School students from Class I to XII can apply under the applicable 2026-27 category.
• College and university students pursuing eligible undergraduate or postgraduate courses can apply.
• Students pursuing eligible vocational education or Buddhist studies in India can also apply.
• The student must be enrolled in a regular programme at the time of applying.
• Students studying through distance-learning mode are not eligible under the 2026-27 rules.
• Students who have already completed or passed out from their course are not eligible.
• Students appearing for repeat examinations are not eligible.
• Students who have not yet taken admission in an Indian institution cannot apply simply on the basis of a future admission plan.
• Students studying outside India, including in countries such as Bangladesh, Thailand, Australia, the UK or the USA, are not eligible.
• The applicant must be studying on a self-financing basis and should not be receiving another applicable Government of India or Royal Government of Bhutan scholarship.
• Students receiving scholarships such as ICCR, Nehru Wangchuck, India-Bhutan Friendship, Nalanda University, GoI Undergraduate, DAHE or RCSC scholarships are not eligible under the applicable rules.

Students should also check the latest Embassy notice and FAQ before submitting the application, as eligibility conditions can change from one academic year to another.

Who Cannot Apply for the Ambassador's Scholarship?

The Ambassador's Scholarship is meant for eligible Bhutanese students who are currently studying in India. Certain students are excluded under the 2026-27 application conditions. Students should check these restrictions carefully before submitting the form.

• Students pursuing their studies through distance-learning programmes are not eligible.
• Students studying outside India cannot apply under this scholarship.
• Students who have already completed or passed out from their course are not eligible.
• Students appearing for repeat examinations are not eligible.
• Students receiving scholarships covered under the specified Government of India or Royal Government of Bhutan scholarship categories cannot apply.
• Students who have not yet secured admission to an eligible institution cannot apply as current students.

Students should also check the latest Embassy notice and FAQ because scholarship conditions may be updated for a particular academic year.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep all the required documents ready before starting the online application. The documents required can differ slightly for school students and college, vocational or Buddhist studies students.

For College, Vocational and Buddhist Studies Students

• Bhutanese Citizenship ID (CID) card.
• Latest semester marksheet.
• Class XII marksheet for students in the first semester of an undergraduate course.
• Final bachelor's marksheet for students in the first semester of a postgraduate course.
• College certificate in the prescribed format, duly signed and stamped by the authorised institution.
• Valid student ID card.
• Bank statement showing the latest transaction.
• First page of the bank passbook.
• Income proof, such as PIT, BIT, land valuation or other accepted proof.
• Applicant's signature.

For School Students

• Bhutanese Citizenship ID (CID) card.
• Marksheet of the last class passed.
• School certificate in the prescribed format, duly signed and stamped by the authorised school official.
• Valid student ID card.
• Bank statement showing the latest transaction.
• First page of the bank passbook.
• Tuition fee receipt for the last class.
• Applicant's signature.

All uploaded documents should be clear, readable and in the required format. For the 2026-27 application, each uploaded file should generally be within the prescribed 3 MB size limit. Applicants should also make sure that details such as their name, date of birth, CID number and student or registration number match their official records.

Steps to Apply

Applying for the Ambassador's Scholarship 2026-27 is an online process, but students should prepare their documents and choose the correct application form before they begin. The Embassy has separate forms for college, vocational and Buddhist studies students and for school students, so selecting the right form is the first important step.

• First, read the official 2026-27 FAQ carefully. This will help you understand the eligibility conditions, document requirements and application instructions before entering your details.
• Download the prescribed certificate format and get it completed, signed and stamped by the authorised official of your college or school. Keep the completed certificate ready before starting the online form.
• Prepare clear scans of all required documents. The Embassy's current application forms allow uploaded files of up to 3 MB, so compress larger files without making them difficult to read.
• Use a computer or laptop for the application. The Embassy specifically advises applicants not to submit the form through mobile devices.
• If you are studying in a college, university, vocational programme or Buddhist studies programme, open the Ambassador's Scholarship 2026-27 college application form. School students should instead use the separate school student application form.
• Start with the applicant details and enter your full name in CAPITAL letters. Provide your date of birth, Bhutanese Citizenship ID number, contact details and email address exactly as they appear in your official records.
• College-level applicants should then enter their university details, course, current year or semester, tuition fee and academic performance. The form also asks about existing scholarships and, where applicable, parent or guardian information and income details.
• School students need to provide their school name, state or Union Territory, student ID, current class, date of joining, previous marks and current class fee details.
• Enter the bank details carefully. For college, vocational and Buddhist studies applicants, the account must be in the applicant's own name and held in India or Bhutan. For school students, the account can be in the applicant's or guardian's name. The account must be active.
• Upload the required documents in the respective fields. Make sure every file is clear and readable and that the information in the documents matches the details entered in the form.
• Complete the declaration and applicant signature, enter the CAPTCHA and submit the application. Providing false information can result in cancellation of the scholarship.
• After submission, note down your registration number. According to the Embassy, a registration number beginning with 2026 indicates that the application has been successfully submitted for the 2026-27 academic year. The application page also provides an option to check the submission details.
• Submit the completed application before 14 October 2026. Applicants should not wait until the final day because document or submission errors may require correction.

The Embassy also makes it clear that submitting the online form does not automatically mean that the scholarship will be awarded. Applications are considered subject to the applicable eligibility and selection conditions, so applicants should check every detail before final submission.

Ambassador's Scholarship 2026-27: Important Dates

Students applying for the Ambassador's Scholarship 2026-27 should keep the application dates in mind and submit the form within the prescribed period.

Applicants should not wait until the last day to complete the form, particularly because documents need to be uploaded correctly and the application must be successfully submitted before the deadline.

Ambassador's Scholarship: Important Rules to Remember

A few application rules are particularly important because mistakes in the form or supporting documents can affect the application. Students should keep the following points in mind:

• Use the correct application form for your student category.
• Enter your personal, academic and bank details accurately.
• Use a computer or laptop to complete the online application, as advised by the Embassy.
• Upload clear and readable documents in the prescribed fields.
• Keep each uploaded file within the applicable 3 MB size limit.
• Enter your full name in CAPITAL letters as instructed on the application form.
• After submitting the form, keep your registration number safely for future reference.
• A registration number beginning with 2026 indicates successful submission for the 2026-27 application cycle.
• Submitting the application does not guarantee selection for the scholarship.
• Providing incorrect or false information can result in cancellation of the scholarship.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of Embassy of India, Thimphu
• Official Ambassador's Scholarship Scheme Page
• Ambassador's Scholarship 2026-27 Announcement
• Ambassador's Scholarship 2026-27 FAQs
• College, Vocational and Buddhist Studies Application Form
• School Student Application Form
• Prescribed Scholarship Certificate

Contact Information

For questions or clarification regarding the Ambassador's Scholarship, applicants can contact the Education Section of the Embassy of India in Thimphu.

Education Section, Embassy of India, Thimphu

• Phone: +975-2-339656
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Embassy of India, Thimphu, Bhutan
• Office Hours: 09:00 AM to 05:30 PM

The Embassy has specifically provided the Education Section's telephone number and email address for Ambassador's Scholarship-related queries. Applicants should use these official contact details for assistance or clarification.