Japan is one of the few study destinations where a fully funded degree is a realistic goal for an Indian student. The best scholarships pay your full tuition, a monthly stipend of roughly ₹68,000–₹85,000, and in many cases your flights too.
Source: official scholarship providers
5Scholarships covered
₹85,300Top monthly stipend (MEXT PhD)
100%Tuition covered by MEXT
31 OctRotary Yoneyama closes
Open now: the Rotary Yoneyama overseas window closes on 31 October 2026, 13:00 JST. If you have JLPT N3 or above and are applying to a Japanese degree programme, start today.
The catch is that every scholarship has its own route, deadline and eligibility rules, and most Indian students only hear about one of them: MEXT. This guide covers the five that matter most, with the exact amounts, eligibility rules, deadlines and application steps taken from each official source, so you can plan your 2027 or 2028 intake with confidence.
🏆 Find your best-fit scholarship in 10 seconds
Tap the option that describes you:
Class 12 / just finished (80%+)
Apply for:MEXT Undergraduate. Add Rotary Yoneyama if you have JLPT N3. You need at least 80% in Class 12 and must be born on or after 2 April 2002 (2027 cycle rules).
Graduate (70%+), under 35
Apply for:MEXT Research Students (Master’s / PhD), and Rotary Yoneyama as a second option. You need at least 70% (65% in humanities and social sciences).
Working, 2+ years experience
Apply for: the ADB–Japan Scholarship, a fully funded Master’s for professionals under 35 with at least 2 years of full-time experience.
Development job, 3+ years
Apply for: the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship. You need 3+ years of paid, development-related work and an unconditional admission offer.
Already in / admitted to a Japanese university
Apply for: the JASSO Honors Scholarship through your university, plus ask about your university’s own tuition reduction scheme.
Top 5 scholarships in Japan for Indian students at a glance
MEXT is the best all-round option for most Indian students, while the other four suit specific profiles: students already in Japan, working professionals, and Japanese-language learners.
Scholarship
Best for
Level
Monthly support
Tuition
Next window
MEXT (Embassy Recommendation)
Class 12 pass-outs and graduates aiming for a fully funded degree
Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
¥117,000–¥145,000 (about ₹68,800–₹85,300)
Fully covered
2028 intake: expected around April–May 2027
JASSO Honors Scholarship
Self-funded students at a Japanese university
All levels
¥48,000 (about ₹28,000)
Not covered
Through your university after enrolment
ADB–Japan Scholarship
Professionals with 2+ years’ experience, under 35
Master’s
Living allowance including housing
Fully covered
Varies by university, mostly November–June
Joint Japan/World Bank (JJ/WBGSP)
Development professionals with 3+ years’ experience
Master’s
Living allowance (varies by country)
Fully covered
18 Jan – 26 Feb 2027 and 29 Mar – 21 May 2027
Rotary Yoneyama (overseas)
Students with JLPT N3 or above
Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
¥100,000–¥140,000 (about ₹58,000–₹81,000)
Not covered
Open now: closes 31 Oct 2026, 13:00 JST
Last updated: October 2026. Rupee figures use the conversion rates published by the Embassy of Japan in India; actual amounts depend on the exchange rate when you are paid.
1
MEXT Scholarship (Japanese Government Scholarship)
MEXT is the biggest and most generous scholarship in Japan for Indian students. It is funded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and it covers tuition, a monthly stipend and return airfare. Indian students apply through the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi or one of its consulates, a route called Embassy Recommendation.
MEXT has several categories. The two most popular with Indian students are Research Students (for a Master’s or PhD) and Undergraduate Students (for a Bachelor’s degree).
Research Students (Master’s / PhD)
Age limitUnder 35 (born on or after 2 Apr 1992)
Monthly stipend¥143,000–¥145,000
TuitionFully exempted
FlightsRound-trip provided
Level
Master’s or PhD, starting as a research student or as a regular degree student
Academic requirement
Bachelor’s degree with at least 70% for a Master’s or first-phase PhD; 65% for humanities and social sciences. Master’s degree with at least 70% plus research, teaching or work experience for a second-phase PhD
Monthly stipend
¥143,000 (about ₹83,100) during preparatory study; ¥144,000 (about ₹84,700) on a Master’s; ¥145,000 (about ₹85,300) on a PhD
Start date
April, September or October 2027
Deadline (2027 cycle)
15 May 2026, 11:59 p.m. Closed
Selection
Preliminary form screening in May, results in early June, written exam on 5 July 2026, online interview 16–19 July 2026
Fields open to Indian applicants range from humanities and social sciences to computer science, robotics, aerospace, civil engineering, biotechnology and sports science. Source: Embassy of Japan in India, Research Students 2027.
How to apply (Research Students)
Download the Preliminary Application Form from the embassy website and email it as a Microsoft Word file (under 1 MB) to scholarship-india@nd.mofa.go.jp before the deadline. PDFs, scans and Google Docs links are rejected automatically. No supporting documents are needed at this stage.
If you are shortlisted, you then submit the full application form, field of study and research plan, recommendation letter, health certificate and other documents listed in the official guidelines.
Undergraduate Students (Bachelor’s)
Born on or after2 April 2002
Monthly allowance¥117,000 (₹68,800)
TuitionFully exempted
FlightsRound-trip provided
Academic requirement
At least 80% in Class 12. If you are still in Class 12, at least 80% in Class 10 plus a school certificate saying you are expected to score above 80%
Duration
5 years including a 1-year Japanese language and preparatory course, or 4 years with direct university placement
Seats
Up to 12 Indian candidates go on to MEXT’s final worldwide screening
Deadline (New Delhi)
25 May 2026 Closed (consulate dates differ)
Selection (New Delhi)
Written exam on 20 June 2026, online interview on 22 June 2026, first-round results at the end of July 2026
Eligible fields include law, economics, business, engineering, information engineering, architecture, biotechnology, agriculture, pharmacy and nursing. Medicine, dentistry and art courses are not offered to Indian applicants. Candidates who know some Japanese are given preference. Source: Embassy of Japan in India, Undergraduate Students 2027.
How to apply (Undergraduate): which office covers your state?
Undergraduate applications go by post, courier or in person, never by email, to the office that covers your state:
Kolkata consulate: West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha
Chennai consulate: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
Mumbai consulate: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
Bengaluru consulate: Karnataka
Embassy in New Delhi: all other states and union territories
When to apply for MEXT 2028
The 2027 window has closed. Based on the 2027 cycle, expect the embassy to announce the 2028 MEXT scholarship around April 2027, with research deadlines in mid-May and undergraduate deadlines in late May. Prepare your research plan, recommendation letters and mark sheets before April so you can apply in the first week.
There is also a second route, University Recommendation, where a Japanese university nominates you directly to MEXT. Each university sets its own deadline and only some programmes take part, so check the admissions page of the university you are targeting.
2
JASSO Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship
The JASSO Honors Scholarship pays ¥48,000 a month (about ₹28,000) to self-funded international students who are already studying, or about to study, at a Japanese university. It is the most widely available scholarship in Japan for Indian students who did not get MEXT, because it is open at almost every Japanese university and you apply through your own institution. It is run by the Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) on behalf of the Japanese government.
Monthly amount¥48,000
Language institutes¥30,000
Duration6 or 12 months
TuitionNot covered
Current rules
Who it is for
Privately financed international students with “Student” residence status (not MEXT or foreign-government scholars)
Levels
Graduate school, research student, undergraduate, junior college, college of technology (3rd year+), specialised training college, university preparatory course, Japanese language institute
Duration
12 months (April–March) or 6 months (October–March)
Language requirement
JLPT N2 or higher, EJU Japanese score of 200+, or English at CEFR B2 or higher
Financial conditions
Money received from home must average no more than ¥90,000 a month (excluding fees); a supporter in Japan must earn under ¥5 million a year
How to apply
Through your university’s international student office after you enrol
Source: JASSO, Monbukagakusho Honors Scholarship.
How it works
Each university gets a quota based on how many international students it has, then nominates its strongest candidates to JASSO. Grades matter, so keep your GPA high from the first semester. Ask your university’s international office about the internal deadline as soon as you arrive.
Get it before you leave India: the reservation programs
EJU reservation (undergraduate): If you take the Examination for Japanese University Admission (EJU) and tick the scholarship box, a top score can earn you a reservation for ¥48,000 a month. For the November 2026 EJU, the scholarship runs from April 2027 to March 2028 if you enrol between November 2026 and April 2027. The EJU’s maths, science and “Japan and the World” papers can be taken in English. Graduate students are not eligible for this route. Source: JASSO, EJU reservation program (November 2026).
Pre-arrival admission reservation: Some universities that admit students from abroad, such as Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), can reserve the JASSO scholarship for incoming students at admission. APU reserves ¥48,000 a month for up to 12 months for April entrants and 6 months for September entrants. Source: APU, JASSO Scholarship.
Good to know: JASSO does not cover tuition. Many Japanese universities run their own tuition reduction or exemption schemes for international students, so ask whether you can combine the two.
3
ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP)
The ADB–Japan Scholarship Program is a fully funded Master’s scholarship for working professionals, and India is on its list of eligible countries. It is financed by the Government of Japan and run by the Asian Development Bank. It funds about 130 graduate scholarships a year at 27 institutions across Asia and the Pacific, 17 of them in Japan.
LevelMaster’s only
Age limit35 or under
Experience2+ years full-time
TuitionFully covered
Current rules
Fields
Economics, business and management, science and technology, development studies, law and public policy
What it covers
Full tuition, a monthly allowance that includes housing, books and materials, medical insurance and travel
Work experience
At least 2 years of full-time work after your bachelor’s degree
Academic record
Bachelor’s degree with a superior academic record, plus strong spoken and written English
Other conditions
You must be living and working in India when you apply, not already enrolled in a graduate programme, and agree to return and work in India for at least 2 years after your degree
How to apply
Through the partner university, not directly to ADB
Source: Asian Development Bank, ADB–Japan Scholarship Program.
Japanese universities in the program (intakes and deadlines)
Each university sets its own intake and deadline. These deadlines repeat every year, so use them to plan your application.
University (Japan)
Eligible Master’s programmes
Intake / deadline
The University of Tokyo
Civil engineering, urban engineering, frontier sciences, international health, public policy
October or April intake; deadlines from June to December depending on the department
Kyoto University
Environmental management, agriculture, civil and urban engineering, economics, international MBA
April or October intake; deadlines from June to November depending on the school
Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Tech)
Engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics, chemistry, architecture and more
September intake; deadline early April
Keio University
Science and technology, economics, system design and management, taxation policy
April or September intake; deadlines November to January
Hitotsubashi University
Asian Public Policy Program
September intake; deadline early January
GRIPS
One-year and two-year Master’s in Public Policy
October intake; deadline November
International University of Japan
International relations, development, economics, public management, MBA
September intake; deadline early January
Nagoya University
MA in International Development
April intake; deadline mid-June
Kobe University
Economics, international studies, law, political science
October intake; deadline early January
Kyushu University
Agriculture and bioresources, Master of Laws
October intake; deadlines November to December
Tohoku University
Human security, disaster risk reduction, environment
October intake; deadline early January
Ritsumeikan APU
Asia Pacific studies, international cooperation policy
September intake; deadline January
Other Japanese partners include Nagasaki University (tropical medicine), Ritsumeikan University (economics), Saitama University (civil and environmental engineering), the University of Tsukuba (public policy) and United Nations University (sustainability). Source: ADB, list of academic institutions.
How to apply
Pick an eligible programme, apply for admission, and include the ADB–JSP information sheet with your university application. The university shortlists candidates, and ADB makes the final selection based on criteria set by Japan’s executive director at ADB.
4
Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship (JJ/WBGSP)
The JJ/WBGSP is a fully funded Master’s scholarship for mid-career professionals, and India is on the World Bank’s list of eligible countries for 2027. It is funded entirely by the Government of Japan and run by the World Bank. It covers 44 Master’s programmes at 24 universities worldwide, and six Japanese universities are among them.
Window 118 Jan – 26 Feb 2027
Window 229 Mar – 21 May 2027
Experience3+ years development work
DurationProgramme length or 2 years
2027 cycle: coverage and eligibility
Level
Master’s degree in a development-related field
What it covers
Tuition, basic medical insurance, a monthly living allowance (amount depends on the host country), economy return airfare, plus a US$600 travel allowance for each trip
Degree
Bachelor’s degree earned at least 3 years before the deadline
Work experience
At least 3 years of paid, full-time, development-related work within the last 6 years, and a full-time development-related job when you apply
Admission
An unconditional offer from a participating Master’s programme outside India before you apply
Not covered
Visa fees, family costs, computers, extra travel, research and field-trip expenses
Source: World Bank, JJ/WBGSP and JJ/WBGSP eligible countries 2027.
Japanese programmes in the JJ/WBGSP for 2027
Keio University: Master in Taxation Policy and Management
GRIPS (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies): Tax Course of the Public Finance Program
Saitama University: International Graduate Program on Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Tokyo: Master of Public Policy, International Program (GraSPP), and International Program on Agricultural Development Studies
University of Tsukuba: Master’s Program in Economic and Public Policy
Yokohama National University: Infrastructure Management Program, and Master’s Program in Public Policy and Taxation
Source: World Bank, JJ/WBGSP participating programmes for 2027.
How selection works and how to apply
Two assessors score each application from 1 to 10. Professional experience, professional recommendations and your commitment to India’s development each count for 30%, and your education counts for 10%. That makes this scholarship ideal for working professionals in government, NGOs, infrastructure, finance or public health, rather than fresh graduates.
Apply for admission to one of the programmes above first. If the university admits you and shortlists you as an eligible JJ/WBGSP applicant, it sends you the scholarship application link. You then submit the online form with two professional references during your programme’s window. You must return to India after your degree.
5
Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship
Open now: applications close on 31 October 2026, 13:00 JST.
The Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Scholarship pays ¥140,000 a month (about ₹81,000) to Master’s and PhD students and ¥100,000 a month (about ₹58,000) to undergraduates, and its 2027 window for overseas applicants is open right now. It is funded by donations from Rotary members across Japan, which makes it one of the largest private scholarships in Japan for international students. Each scholar is also paired with a local Rotary club and a counsellor, so it builds a network in Japan as well as paying your expenses.
Undergraduate¥100,000 / month
Master’s / PhD¥140,000 / month
Travel supportUp to ¥250,000
Japanese neededJLPT N3 or above
2027 overseas candidate route
Who it is for
Students outside Japan who will enrol in a degree programme at a Japanese university or graduate school
Travel
Up to ¥250,000 (about ₹1.45 lakh) towards travel to Japan, reimbursed after arrival
Japanese requirement
JLPT N3 or above, already passed when you apply
Not eligible
Research students (non-degree), and anyone planning to attend a language school or a university outside Japan
Application period
1 October 2026, 13:00 JST – 31 October 2026, 13:00 JST
Results
By mid-March 2027; certificate of eligibility by the end of March 2027
Payments start
April 2027 for April entry; September or October 2027 for autumn entry
Source: Rotary Yoneyama Memorial Foundation, overseas candidates. Ritsumeikan APU states the Master’s and doctoral award runs for two years (APU, Rotary Yoneyama Scholarship).
How to apply
First apply for admission to your chosen Japanese university, because you must upload a copy of that admission application. Graduate applicants also need a recommendation letter from a professor at the target graduate school. Then register on the foundation’s online portal and upload the application form, a research plan, an essay titled “Why I chose to study in Japan. My future plan after studying in Japan.”, the recommendation letter and your JLPT result. If the university later rejects you, you lose the scholarship.
Already in Japan?
Rotary Yoneyama also recruits through Japanese universities each year for students already enrolled there. Universities usually invite applications around August–September, and results come in January–February. Ask your international office about the internal deadline.
To check shortlisted Universities for Indian university –LINK
Other scholarships in Japan worth knowing
Beyond the top five, three more sources of funding are worth adding to your list:
MEXT University Recommendation Some Japanese universities nominate admitted international students directly to MEXT. You get the same MEXT benefits, but you apply through the university’s own admissions process and deadline, so check each target university’s scholarship page.
University tuition reduction schemes Many universities cut tuition for international students on merit or financial need. Ritsumeikan APU, for example, runs its own Tuition Reduction Scholarship for graduate students. These can often be combined with a stipend-only scholarship such as JASSO or Rotary Yoneyama.
JASSO Student Exchange Support Program If your Indian university has an exchange agreement with a Japanese university, JASSO funds short-term exchange students under that agreement. Ask your college’s international relations office whether it has a Japanese partner. Source: JASSO.
Dozens of private Japanese foundations also fund international students, but most of them only accept applications through your university once you are enrolled. Your university’s international office is the best place to find them.
Plan your application
How to choose the right scholarship and apply successfully
The right scholarship depends mostly on where you are now: in school, just graduated, working, or already in Japan.
If you are…
Apply for
In Class 12 or just finished, with 80%+
MEXT Undergraduate; Rotary Yoneyama if you have JLPT N3
A graduate with 70%+ (65%+ in humanities), under 35
MEXT Research Students; Rotary Yoneyama for Master’s or PhD
A working professional with 2+ years’ experience, under 35
ADB–Japan Scholarship
In a development-related job with 3+ years’ experience
Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship
Already admitted to or studying at a Japanese university
JASSO Honors Scholarship, plus your university’s tuition reduction
Application tips for Indian students
1. Apply to more than one
Selection is highly competitive, so use MEXT as your main target and a university or JASSO route as your backup.
2. Start 6–8 months early
MEXT opens in April and closes within about four weeks, so your research plan, recommendation letters and mark sheets must be ready before the window opens.
3. Write a specific research plan
Name the Japanese professors or labs you want to work with and explain why their work matches yours. A generic plan is easy for reviewers to pass over.
4. Practise past MEXT papers
The written test includes English and Japanese, plus maths and science subjects for undergraduate applicants depending on their field. Past papers are free on the Study in Japan website.
5. Start learning Japanese now
It is required for Rotary Yoneyama, gives you preference in MEXT undergraduate selection, and makes daily life in Japan far easier.
6. Follow the format rules exactly
The embassy automatically rejects MEXT preliminary forms sent as PDFs, scans or Google Docs links, or after the deadline.
Which is the best scholarship in Japan for Indian students?
MEXT is the best for most students because it covers full tuition, a monthly stipend of ¥117,000–¥145,000 and return airfare. Working professionals should also look at the ADB–Japan and Joint Japan/World Bank scholarships, which are fully funded Master’s programmes.
Can Indian students study in Japan for free?
Yes. MEXT, ADB–JSP and JJ/WBGSP all cover full tuition plus living costs, so a fully funded degree is possible. JASSO and Rotary Yoneyama pay a monthly stipend but not tuition.
Do I need to know Japanese to get a scholarship in Japan?
Not for most of them. MEXT research applications, ADB–JSP and JJ/WBGSP programmes can be completed in English. Rotary Yoneyama’s overseas route requires JLPT N3, and MEXT undergraduate selection gives preference to applicants who know Japanese.
What percentage do I need for the MEXT scholarship from India?
The Embassy of Japan in India asks for at least 80% in Class 12 for the undergraduate scholarship. For research students, it asks for at least 70% in your bachelor’s degree, or 65% in humanities and social sciences.
What is the age limit for the MEXT scholarship?
For the 2027 cycle, undergraduate applicants had to be born on or after 2 April 2002, and research students on or after 2 April 1992 (under 35).
When does the MEXT 2028 application open in India?
The 2027 cycle opened in April 2026, with research applications closing on 15 May and undergraduate applications on 25 May (New Delhi). Expect a similar timeline around April–May 2027 for the 2028 intake, and watch the embassy website.
Can I hold two scholarships at once?
Sometimes. MEXT scholars cannot receive the JASSO Honors Scholarship, and JJ/WBGSP only supplements other funding rather than duplicating it. Stipend-only awards can often be combined with a university tuition reduction, so check each scholarship’s rules.
🎓
Not sure which university or course to pick?Compare Japanese universities and programmes open to Indian students.
There are more scholarships in Japan for Indian students than most people realise, and the strongest applicants are the ones who plan early. If you want to start in 2027, the Rotary Yoneyama overseas window closes on 31 October 2026. If you are aiming for MEXT 2028, now is the time to build your research plan, line up recommendations and start learning Japanese before the embassy opens applications around April 2027.
