DAAD Scholarship in Germany for Indian Students

More than 100,000 DAAD scholarships are awarded annually, giving German and international students the opportunity to continue their master's, doctoral and postdoctoral studies at minimal cost. The DAAD Scholarship master's recipient will receive a stipend of at least €934 (US$1,050) per month for the duration of the study in Germany, and the PhD student will receive €1,200 (US$1,348). 

• Indian students are eligible to receive 25 DAAD scholarships out of 188 scholarship programs available in 2023.

• Eligible applicants must have completed previous studies with an overall score of at least 85%.

• Each candidate must have at least two years of professional experience, whether in field research, employment, or as a research fellow.

• All DAAD scholarship holders are also covered for health insurance and travel expenses.

• Applicants must receive an invitation letter from their academic advisor at an appropriate university in Germany. 

Detailed benefits, requirements and eligibility criteria vary for each DAAD scholarship program, but the general minimum qualifications and application guidelines are the same. 

Benefits of DAAD Scholarships for Indian Students:

• Lump-sum payment for business trip

• Health insurance

• Accident and personal liability insurance

• Research funding

• Family allowance

• Monthly rent subsidy

• Tools for language preparation courses 

1. Eligibility Criteria - There are over 100 scholarship programmes available to international students, and eligibility criteria vary widely. However, DAAD scholarships have some basic requirements that all applicants must meet. 

2. Language Ability - Excellent knowledge of English with an IELTS score of 6.5 or above. Knowledge of German is not required but highly recommended.

3. Academic Performance: A minimum total of 8.5 CGPA or 85%, or equivalent, as applicable.

4. If you are applying for an exchange or short-term research programme, please obtain a NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your home university.

5. Work Experience: At least 2 years of professional experience, research activity, and teaching or assistant work. Submit a short research proposal or SOP of 500–1000 words. Sometimes a resume is enough. 

Application Process

The DAAD application process for most scholarship programmes takes place in two steps:

• Complete the online application form and upload the documents.

• Send a copy of the application form via post to the DAAD office.

Step I - The online application process is easy to start and takes approximately 30 minutes. Applications are made via the DAAD portal. The DAAD portal opens approximately six weeks prior to the scholarship application deadline. After completing the application form, upload the following attachments: 

• Online Application Form

• Curriculum Vitae

• No Objection Certificate filled in and stamped by the previous institution

• Invitation letter from the German Supervisor

• University Degrees and Certificates

Step II - After submitting the form and uploading supporting documents, the candidate will be redirected to another page where they can review the application package and download the PDF file. Please mail the following documents to the nearest DAAD office: 

• One copy of the Application Summary which is generated in the portal (PDF)

• Recent references from the previous university

Selection Process

All DAAD scholarships have individual selection committees that comprehensively evaluate each application. Depending on the scholarship program, this committee will be set up locally (in India for Indian students) or in Germany. Selection is primarily based on the following factors:  

• Quality of the project

• Academic Achievements

• Duration of research or fieldwork

• Research proposal or work experience

In addition to these DAAD scholarships, there are other scholarship programmes for Indian students funded by DAAD, such as the Helmut Schmidt Programme, the IIT Master Sandwich Scholarship, Semester Scholarships for Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Students, Scholarships for Foreign Graduates in Performing Arts Fields, and study visits for Foreign Student Groups in Germany. 

Apart from good scholarships like the DAAD, Germany has always been the best choice to study in Germany is one of the most popular destinations in the world to study a language other than English, and with its trendy student city and low (or free) tuition, it's easy to see why. If you are planning to pursue postgraduate studies in Germany, see our dedicated guide to German Masters and PhDs. 

Germany offers free university education to all students, regardless of where they come from. This is the main reason why studying in Germany is so popular with international students. Other benefits of studying in Germany include prestigious universities, good job prospects, and a low cost of living. Germany offers quality education at low or no cost. German public universities do not charge tuition fees, but the student has to pay an administration fee each semester, which usually does not exceed 250 euros per semester. 

In fact, the main reason why German universities are rated difficult is the quality and duration of education in the German gymnasium system. As a rule, Germans start studying in Germany after 13 years, not 12 years. Foreign students can also work in Germany in parallel with their studies. Students from EU/EEA countries, like German students, can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester. There is no limit on income during the semester break.