Scholarships · France

France scholarships for Indian students: 2027 guide

Amounts and dates last reviewed on 14 October 2026.

France has a scholarship built just for Indian students (Charpak) and a prestigious national one (Eiffel), and public university fees are already low. Grandes écoles and business schools cost more, but they also give the largest discounts.

India-only scholarship: Charpak Master's, €860 a month
Top national award: Eiffel Excellence, about €1,200 a month
Business school discounts: Often 10% to 50% of tuition
Intakes: September (main), some January

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Main scholarships

France scholarships Indian students can apply for

Rupee figures first, local amount underneath. Rates used: €1 = ₹108.4 (ECB reference rates, 9 October 2026). Rates move daily, so treat rupee figures as a guide.

French Embassy in India / Campus France India

Charpak Master's Scholarship

€860 a month plus visa fee waiver

Realistic for strong profiles

₹93,000€860 a month

What it covers

Monthly allowance of €860
Student visa and Études en France fee waiver
Social security cover
Priority for CROUS student housing

Who can get it

Indian nationals or OCI holders who studied at an Indian institution
Age 30 or under when applying
Must have applied to a French institution first
No fixed percentage cut-off; selection on academic record and statement of purpose

When to apply for 2027: The 2026 round closed on 30 March 2026. The 2027 round is expected to open early in 2027 with a deadline around March. Apply to your French course first.

Kompass view: Only Indian students compete for it, which makes it far more winnable than Eiffel. A sharp statement of purpose is the key.

French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

About €1,200 a month plus travel and insurance

Very competitive

₹1.3 lakh€1,200 a month (rate from January 2026)

What it covers

Monthly allowance of about €1,200
Return international flight
Health insurance
Help finding housing
Tuition is not paid, but public institutions usually waive registration fees

Who can get it

International students; the French university or school must nominate you (you can't apply directly)
Master's in sciences, engineering, economics, management, law or political science
Age limit applies (check the current call)

When to apply for 2027: Expected: university internal deadlines from mid-November 2026, with nominations to Campus France around early January 2027. Ask your target school now.

Kompass view: Your school decides whether to nominate you, so apply early to the course and say up front that you want an Eiffel nomination.

Where most of the money comes from

University scholarships and discounts

Public universities charge low fees and give few discounts. Grandes écoles and business schools charge more but routinely offer merit scholarships to Indian applicants.

Typical award

₹2.2 lakh to ₹10.8 lakh€2,000 to €10,000 off tuition

Kompass estimate from recent offers. Each university sets its own awards.

What to expect

Business schools often give 10% to 50% off for strong profiles
Engineering grandes écoles have excellence awards for international students
Some public universities waive part of the higher non-EU fee
Early applicants usually get the larger awards

See what you'd still need to fund

Work out tuition, living costs and visa funds for France, then subtract the scholarship.

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Timeline

Scholarship calendar for a 2027 start

1
October to December 2026
Apply to courses; ask about Eiffel nomination
2
November 2026 to January 2027
Eiffel internal and Campus France deadlines (expected)
3
January to March 2027
Charpak round (expected); business school scholarship rounds
4
April to July 2027
Results; Campus France and visa process

What strengthens your application

Apply for Charpak if you are under 30 with a French offer; it's the most winnable
Tell your target school early that you want to be nominated for Eiffel
Basic French isn't required for Charpak but helps your application and daily life
Compare business school offers; discounts vary a lot between schools

Common mistakes

Applying for Charpak before applying to a French course
Trying to apply for Eiffel directly (only schools can nominate)
Writing a generic statement of purpose for Charpak
Ignoring public universities because business schools advertise more

Not sure which scholarships you qualify for?

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FAQs

France scholarships: your questions answered

What is the Charpak scholarship?

A French government scholarship for Indian students, offered through the French Embassy in India. The master's track pays €860 a month and waives the student visa fee. You must be 30 or under and have applied to a French institution.

How much is the Eiffel scholarship?

About €1,200 a month for master's students from January 2026, plus a return flight and health insurance. Your French school must nominate you; you can't apply directly.

Is there a minimum percentage for Charpak?

No fixed cut-off. Selection is on academic excellence and the quality of your statement of purpose.

When should I apply for French scholarships for 2027?

Eiffel nominations happen through schools between November and January. Charpak usually closes around March. Apply to courses from October to have offers in time.

Can I hold Charpak and a university discount together?

Usually yes, since Charpak pays living costs and a school discount reduces tuition. Confirm with both, because some awards don't allow combining.

Do I need French for scholarships in France?

Not for English-taught programmes. Basic French helps with Charpak applications, part-time work and daily life.

Are public universities in France cheap for Indian students?

Yes, much cheaper than the UK or US. Non-EU students pay a higher set fee at public universities, but some institutions reduce it to the EU rate.

Can Kompass help with Charpak and Eiffel?

Yes. We shortlist programmes, plan the timeline and review your statement of purpose. You submit the applications yourself, and no consultant can guarantee an award.

Keep exploring

More on studying abroad

Study in France: full guide All scholarship guides IELTS / PTE scores needed UK scholarships Germany scholarships Ireland scholarships Netherlands scholarships Italy scholarships

Sources

Campus France India: Charpak Master's 2026 call (summary)
Campus France: France Excellence Eiffel programme (summary of the 2026 call)

Scholarship rules, amounts and deadlines change every year. Dates marked "expected" are based on the last round. We confirm current details for your case at your counselling session. Information on this site is general guidance only and not legal, migration or investment advice. Rules, fees and occupation lists change frequently — always confirm current requirements with the relevant government authority before acting.

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