“ICCR Scholarship Scheme for Indian Culture” for pursuing study of Indian Culture for the academic year 2021-22

 ICCR has announced l00 scholarship slots under the ICCR Scholarship Scheme for Indian Culture at Indian Universities/Institutes in the Academic Year 2021-22. This scholarship scheme was known until last academic year as "Scholarship scheme for Dance and music". The scheme is renamed "ICCR Scholarship Scheme for Indian Culture”. The scope of the scholarship scheme has also been expanded encompassing wider facets of Indian culture not just limited to dance and music but also to performing art, theatre, sculpture, Indian cuisine, etc. There are 100 slots available for global applicants under this scholarship. The scholarship will provide international airfare to students. Applications from interested students for academic year 202l-22 is invited online through ICCR's A2A Scholarship portal http://a2ascholarships.iccr.qov.in

2. The A2A Scholarship Portal will be operational from 15th March 2021 for foreigners applying for admission. The last date for submission of application is 30th April 2021. Applicants will now have the option to apply to 5 Universities / Institutes in the order of their preference of study. The admission, as far as possible, shall be given as per applicant's preference. However, there may be a situation when students do not get admission in their preferred Universities/Institutes due to limited number of seats on offer. Rejected candidates will be intimated by Universities.

3. For Academic Year 2021-22, a 500-word essay in English has been introduced to ascertain English Proficiency. Besides, students can also submit their TOFEL/ IELTS etc. Standardised Test scores, if available.

4. Interested students are advised to visit university / institute website and do thorough research of courses offered, eligibility criteria and general information about the university / institute before applying for admission. The students should ensure that they are eligible for the course and meet the eligibility criteria and should submit relevant documentation as required by the Universities in addition to the basic certificates mentioned in the application form. They should always refer to the Universities Handbook / University Grants Commission's website and the concerned university / institute's website for eligibility criteria etc.

5. The general guidelines for applying scholarship are as follows:

• Applicants should have attained a minimum age of 18 years at the time of admission in Indian Universities / Institutes and not more than 30 years of age. Applicants must not be having any serious health problems, and should not submit incomplete / fraudulent documentation, in case of which their selection procedure will automatically be deemed as cancelled.

• Compulsory personal medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for availing of ICCR's scholarship. It is compulsory for all ICCR scholarship students to procure Medical Insurance policy with minimum sum assured for Indian Rupees Five Lakhs which is equivalent to US$6800 per annum. Applicants are advised that to ensure, they must have medical insurance coverage on their own either before travel or immediately after reaching India, whatever is convenient to students. Students can purchase medical insurance from any of the insurance companies of their choice. However to facilitate students, A2A Scholarship Portal has two insurance companies for referral purpose. Applicants are advised to be aware of the change in medical insurance policy. ICCR has uploaded the revised norms on its A2A Scholarship Portal.

• It is essential for the applicants to have a realistic assessment of India, and of the living conditions in the country's educational institutions. ICCR may amend some provisions of scholarships from time to time and it is incumbent on students to accept the revised norms.

• ICCR advises students to stay in hostel, if available. However, students are allowed to stay in private accommodation if the concerned institute does not insist on staying in their hostel.

• Detailed guidelines on the process of applying for ICCR Scholarships online on the A2A Scholarship Portal and the procedure and norms governing the same is given on the www.a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in

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22 March 2021