Scholarship Type: Government of Russian Federation Scholarship
Academic Year: 2026-27
Levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Specialist, Advanced Training
Selection Basis: Merit & Portfolio (No Entrance Exam)
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Application Status: Open Now
Overview of the Opportunity
The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has released a public notice announcing that the Government of the Russian Federation is offering scholarships to Indian students for the academic year **2026-27**. This is a massive opportunity for Indian students to pursue higher education in Russia with significant financial support.
This program covers almost all universities across the vast Russian landscape—from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Krasnodar, Kaliningrad, and Vladivostok. (Note: Lomonosov Moscow State University and MGIMO are excluded from this specific scheme.)
What Can You Study? (Fields & Levels)
The scholarship is open for all levels of education: Bachelor's, Specialist's, Master's, PhD, and Advanced Training courses.
Available Fields
Russia is known for its strong STEM education, but this scholarship covers nearly every discipline:
- Medicine & Pharmacy: Highly popular among Indian students.
- Engineering & Architecture: Including Civil, Mechanical, and Computer Engineering.
- Advanced Sciences: Space, Aviation, Mathematics.
- Others: Agriculture, Management, Economics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Sports, and Arts.
Selection Process: No Entrance Exams!
One of the biggest advantages of this scholarship is that students do not have to pass tests or entrance exams. The selection is based entirely on a **Dossier Assessment**.
The Assessment Criteria
- Academic Merit: The average grade of your previous degree/diploma.
- Portfolio:
- Scientific publications.
- Letter of recommendation (signed by the rector/vice-rector of the chosen Russian university).
- Certificates of winning international or national competitions/olympiads.
Language Requirements
Do you need to know Russian? No.
- English Programs: Many programs, especially in Medicine, are taught in English.
- Russian Language Option: If you do not speak Russian but wish to take a course taught in Russian, you can select an option to learn the language. In this case, you will study a one-year preparatory Russian course before moving on to your chosen degree.
How to Apply
The application process is entirely online. No other method of submission is accepted.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit the Portal: Go to the official website education-in-russia.com.
- Register: Create an account and fill in your details.
- Choose Universities: You can select up to **6 universities** in priority order. (Note: You will be enrolled in the university that selects you from your list.)
- Submit Dossier: Upload your academic records and portfolio documents.
Important Dates
The selection is carried out in two stages. The deadline for the **First Stage** is crucial.
- Application Deadline (First Stage): January 15, 2026
After this date, documents are checked to determine who passes to the second stage (Visa and University distribution).
Official Links & Documents
It is highly recommended to read the official UGC notification before applying.