
Table of Contents
What is the GKS Scholarship for Indian Students?
Scroll HereCan Indian Students Study in Korea for Free?
Scroll HereGKS Scholarship Benefits for Indian Students
Scroll HereGKS Eligibility for Indian Students 2027
Scroll Here1. Nationality
Scroll Here2. Age Limit
Scroll Here3. Educational Qualification
Scroll Here4. Academic Performance
Scroll HereHow to Apply for GKS Scholarship 2027 from India
Scroll HereStep 1: Check the official 2027 GKS guidelines
Scroll HereStep 2: Confirm your eligibility
Scroll HereStep 3: Select the appropriate track
Scroll HereStep 4: Research participating universities
Scroll HereStep 5: Prepare your documents
Scroll HereStep 6: Complete the application
Scroll HereStep 7: Complete the selection stages
Scroll HereDocuments Required for GKS
Scroll HereGKS Scholarship 2027 Timeline
Scroll HereCommon GKS Mistakes Indian Students Should Avoid
Scroll HereConclusion
Scroll HereFrequently Asked Questions
Scroll HereCan Indian students get the GKS scholarship?
Scroll HereIs GKS completely free?
Scroll HereWhat is the minimum percentage for GKS?
Scroll HereWhat is the GKS Embassy Track India quota for 2027?
Scroll HereDo I need IELTS or TOPIK for GKS?
Scroll HereWhen is the GKS 2027 final selection?
Scroll HereStudying in South Korea can be expensive for international students, but the GKS scholarship for Indian students provides a government-funded route to pursue an undergraduate degree with substantial financial support. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is offered by the Korean government to international students seeking higher education in South Korea.
For 2027, the GKS Undergraduate Programme (GKS-U) will select 286 scholars worldwide, including applicants through the Embassy Track and University Track. Indian students can apply through the applicable route if they meet the nationality, age, academic and other eligibility requirements. The latest 2027 guidelines were released by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) in September 2026.
What is the GKS Scholarship for Indian Students?
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) (formerly KGSP) is a government scholarship program that covers most major costs (though not every personal expense), administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) to help international students who want to study abroad pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in South Korea. It covers tuition, a one-year Korean language course, airfare, health insurance and a living allowance; the full breakdown is in the benefits table below.
Can Indian Students Study in Korea for Free?
Yes, eligible Indian students can apply for the GKS scholarship, and if they are selected, they receive significant financial support for their studies in South Korea. However, study in Korea for free can’t be interpreted as meaning all your expenses will be covered. GKS includes a living allowance (about KRW 1.13 million/month in the language year and KRW 1.20 million/month in the degree years) specifically designed to cover personal living expenses.
The 2027 GKS package includes tuition support, Korean language training, airfare and an annual allowance. You need to bear all your personal expenses by your own.
GKS Scholarship Benefits for Indian Students
Students get multiple benefits through the GKS scholarship. A dedicated table is crafted below that shows the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 benefits for Indian students.
| Benefits | 2027 GKS Support |
|---|---|
| Tuition | NIIED support up to the applicable limit |
| Korean language training | KRW 5.2 million per year |
| Airfare | Economy-class airfare according to programme rules |
| Language-year allowance | KRW 13.56 million/year |
| Degree-year allowance | KRW 14.40 million/year |
| Living and accommodation support | Included within the applicable allowance structure |
| Health insurance-related support | Included within the applicable allowance structure |
| TOPIK-related support | As specified under GKS provisions |
GKS Eligibility for Indian Students 2027
Indian students applying for the GKS Scholarship 2027 must meet specific criteria set by NIIED (National Institute for International Education) for nationality, age, education, and academic performance. The core GKS eligibility criteria include:
1. Nationality
The applicant must be a citizen of an eligible country listed under the 2027 GKS programme. The applicant and both parents must satisfy the applicable foreign-citizenship requirements. Indian applicants should therefore ensure that their nationality documentation meets the 2027 guidelines.
2. Age Limit
For the 2027 undergraduate programme, applicants must be under 25 years of age, meaning they must be born after March 1, 2002.
3. Educational Qualification
For a bachelor's degree, applicants must have graduated or be expected to graduate from high school or an eligible associate degree programme.
Students expecting to graduate must fulfil the applicable graduation requirements by December 31, 2026. Applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree cannot apply for the GKS-U bachelor's programme.
4. Academic Performance
Applicants must meet at least one of the following academic conditions:
- 80% or higher on a 100-point scale; or
- Rank within the top 20% of the class; or
- Meet the specified CGPA equivalent:
- 2.64/4.0
- 2.80/4.3
- 2.91/4.5
- 3.23/5.0
Students whose transcript does not clearly show an accepted GPA scale may need additional documentation explaining their institution's grading system.
How to Apply for GKS Scholarship 2027 from India
To apply for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027 from India, you must submit your application through the Study in Korea Portal via either the Embassy Track or the University Track. Follow the instructions given below:
Step 1: Check the official 2027 GKS guidelines
Read the latest NIIED guidelines instead of relying on older GKS articles.
Step 2: Confirm your eligibility
Check nationality, age, academic qualifications, & academic performance requirements.
Step 3: Select the appropriate track
Choose between the Embassy Track and an eligible University Track programme.
Step 4: Research participating universities
Check the official 2027 University Information file for eligible universities, departments and specific requirements. NIIED has published separate university information files for Embassy and University Tracks.
Step 5: Prepare your documents
Collect academic certificates, transcripts, identity and citizenship documents and other required materials.
Step 6: Complete the application
Follow the submission instructions for your selected track and ensure that every field and document meets the prescribed format.
Step 7: Complete the selection stages
Embassy Track applicants proceed through the applicable embassy, NIIED and university selection stages.
Documents Required for GKS
Students need to provide a set of documents to prove their eligibility and identity to apply for the GKS (Global Korea Scholarship). Below are the vital documents cited.
- GKS application form
- Personal statement
- Study plan
- Recommendation letter (LOR)
- High school certificate
- Academic transcript
- Proof of citizenship
- Parents' citizenship documents
- Proof of family relationship
- Passport or identity documentation
- Language certificates, if applicable
- Medical/health-related documents
GKS Scholarship 2027 Timeline
The official timeline for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027 Undergraduate (GKS-U) Program covers application submission, multi-tier selection rounds, and the final results announcement.
| Stage | 2027 Schedule |
|---|---|
| Embassy Track application | September 15–30, 2026 |
| First-round result | By October 16, 2026 |
| NIIED selection | November 2026 |
| University selection | By December 23, 2026 |
| Final result | Expected January 7, 2027 |
Note: All dates should be checked against the latest official announcement because individual universities may establish separate deadlines for University Track applications.
Common GKS Mistakes Indian Students Should Avoid
There are some common GKS mistakes Indian students should avoid. Always use the latest National Institute for International Education (NIIED) guidelines and the university information file when preparing the application.
- Using an outdated GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) form.
- Applying to an ineligible university or department.
- Missing the applicable deadline.
- Incorrectly converting academic grades.
- Submitting incomplete documentation.
- Ignoring document authentication requirements.
- Confusing Embassy Track and University Track rules.
- Assuming old GKS allowance figures still apply to 2027.
Conclusion
The GKS scholarship for Indian students is one of the leading fully funded scholarships for Indian students, providing a government-funded pathway to pursue undergraduate education in South Korea with substantial financial support. For 2027, the programme offers 286 undergraduate scholarships worldwide, including Embassy and University Track opportunities. Indian applicants should carefully check the latest eligibility criteria, India-specific allocation, university options, documents and deadlines before applying.
For students planning to study in Korea for free, the most important step is to rely on the latest official GKS information rather than outdated scholarship figures or generic admission advice. The 2027 GKS-U guidelines and participating-university information published by NIIED should be the primary references when preparing an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian students get the GKS scholarship?
Yes. Indian students who meet the nationality and other eligibility requirements can apply through an applicable GKS route.
Is GKS completely free?
GKS provides substantial financial support, including tuition-related support, Korean language training, airfare and allowances. However, applicants should check the 2027 guidelines for exactly what is covered and how benefits are structured.
What is the minimum percentage for GKS?
For the 2027 GKS-U programme, applicants generally need at least 80%, a top-20% class ranking or an accepted equivalent CGPA.
What is the GKS Embassy Track India quota for 2027?
India has four Embassy Track places for the 2027 undergraduate programme: two General and two R-GKS.
Do I need IELTS or TOPIK for GKS?
Language requirements can vary by programme and university. Applicants should check the 2027 GKS guidelines and the specific University Information file for their chosen programme.
When is the GKS 2027 final selection?
The 2027 GKS-U final result is expected on January 7, 2027, according to the current official schedule.











