08/10/2026
Due to recurring cases of insufficient English proficiency affecting students’ ability to follow academic instruction in India, ICCR is strengthening its English-language requirements for future scholarship recipients.
IMPORTANT: From Academic Year 2027–28, IELTS or TOEFL certification will be mandatory for ICCR scholarship awards, except for Indian language courses.
The minimum requirement will be:
• IELTS: Overall band 6.0 or above
• TOEFL: CEFR B2 / Higher Intermediate level or above
Applicants planning to apply for an ICCR scholarship should prepare for this requirement well in advance.
To support applicants, ICCR has introduced an Online Advanced English Learning Course conducted by Routes2Roots, covering English for understanding academic lectures in Indian institutions and basic conversational Hindi for daily life in India.
Course Details:
📅 Starts: 19 October 2026
⏳ Duration: 12 weeks / 3 months
💻 Format: Live online classes, 3 times a week
📚 36 classes | 90 minutes each
💵 Fee: US$50
🌍 Eligibility: Foreign nationals with basic English reading, writing and speaking skills
Participation in the course is voluntary and does not replace the mandatory IELTS/TOEFL certification requirement.
Interested applicants are encouraged to register and prepare ahead of the 2027–28 scholarship cycle.