- Student visa (e-Student Visa) required for all non-Indian students — applied online at indianvisaonline.gov.in with university acceptance
- Tuition: very low at IITs and national institutions (INR 100,000–250,000/year, €1,100–€2,800); private universities INR 300,000–1,500,000/year
- India does not participate in Erasmus+ — exchange students come via bilateral university agreements; IITs, IIMs, and Ashoka are the primary exchange partners
- ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) scholarships provide government-funded study in India for students from eligible countries
India offers an exchange experience unlike any other — immersion in one of the world's oldest civilisations, the world's most populous democracy, and one of the 21st century's most consequential economies. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are among the world's most selective and respected engineering institutions; the IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) are Asia's best business schools. Liberal arts universities like Ashoka and Flame have emerged as genuinely world-class institutions modelled on American liberal arts colleges. English is a de facto official language and the medium of instruction at all major Indian universities. India's cost of living is among the world's lowest — a student can live well in Delhi or Mumbai for €300–€500/month.
Cost of Living
India is very affordable. Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore: monthly student budget €300–€500. Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune: €250–€450. Smaller university cities (Varanasi, Manipal): €200–€350. University canteen (mess) meals: INR 30–80 (€0.35–€0.95). Street food: INR 20–80 (€0.25–€0.95). Auto-rickshaw/Ola ride across city: INR 50–200 (€0.60–€2.40). University hostel room: INR 3,000–10,000/month (€35–€120). Private PG accommodation (Paying Guest): INR 8,000–20,000/month in major cities.
Housing
IITs and IIMs provide on-campus hostels for all students — accommodation is included in the student experience at these institutions. IIT hostel rooms: INR 3,000–8,000/month (€35–€95). Exchange students at IITs typically receive hostel accommodation priority. Private PG (Paying Guest) accommodation is the standard for students at other universities — fully furnished, meals sometimes included, INR 8,000–20,000/month. Platforms: NoBroker, Housing.com, and university bulletin boards. Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and other major universities have hostels — apply through the university's international office.
Visa & Entry
International students require a Student Visa (e-Student Visa) — apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Required: university acceptance letter, proof of financial means, valid passport, passport photo, and completed online application. Fee: approx. USD 80–100. Processing: 3–5 business days for e-visa. After arrival, register at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days if staying over 180 days — required for all students. Register at frro.gov.in with passport, visa, university enrollment letter, and accommodation address. The FRRO registration is a strict legal requirement.
Expat Life
India has a growing international student community — still small relative to the country's size but expanding rapidly under the government's Study in India initiative. IIT campuses are self-contained and extremely vibrant communities. Ashoka University and Flame University have very active international student populations. The range of experiences India offers — from Himalayan trekking to Rajasthani desert forts to Kerala backwaters to Goan beaches — within a single exchange semester is unmatched by any other single country.
India suits engineering and technology students targeting the IITs (world-leading in competitive selection and alumni network), business students targeting the IIMs (Asia's best business schools), and students in South Asian studies, development economics, or social sciences for whom Indian context is essential. Also ideal for students seeking maximum cultural depth and civilisational scale at minimum cost.
India's bureaucratic systems (FRRO, PAN, banking) require patience and careful document preparation. Air quality in Delhi and other northern Indian cities can be extreme in winter (October–February). The adjustment period (food, water, sensory intensity) is real — give yourself 4–6 weeks. Sexual harassment of women in public spaces is a genuine concern in some cities — situational awareness and local guidance from your university are important.
Practical Tips
- FRRO registration (frro.gov.in) within 14 days of arrival is mandatory for stays over 180 days — failure results in fines and potential visa complications. Your university's international office typically assists with this process.
- Get an Indian SIM: Jio offers the best value — INR 199–299/month for generous data. SIM registration requires passport, visa, and university enrollment letter. Essential for Ola/Uber, Google Maps, UPI payments (PhonePe, Google Pay).
- UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is India's digital payment revolution — PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm allow instant bank transfers and payments everywhere. Open an Indian bank account (SBI, HDFC, ICICI) to access UPI — bring passport, visa, PAN card application, and enrollment letter.
- PAN card (Permanent Account Number): apply at an NSDL centre with passport and visa — needed for banking, salary receipt if working, and some services. Process takes 2–3 weeks.
- Health: drink only bottled or filtered water — Delhi Belly (traveller's diarrhoea) is a real risk initially as your gut adjusts to Indian water bacteria. Stick to freshly cooked food from reputable sources in the first weeks.
- India's diversity means that each city is effectively a different cultural world — Delhi (Mughal and colonial heritage, political power), Mumbai (commerce, Bollywood, the sea), Bangalore (tech, cosmopolitan), Chennai (Dravidian culture, classical music), Varanasi (ancient Hindu traditions, Ganges). Your exchange location defines your India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IIT and why are they significant?
IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology) are India's 23 premier public technology universities, established by Act of Parliament. IIT Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, and Kharagpur are the oldest and most prestigious — QS world top 150–250. They are among the world's most selective universities by acceptance rate (under 1% of applicants for JEE Advanced). IIT alumni include founders of Google, Sun Microsystems, and hundreds of major tech companies. Exchange students at IITs are placed alongside India's most academically talented students.
What is Ashoka University?
Ashoka University (Sonepat, near Delhi) is India's first genuine liberal arts university modelled on the American model — founded 2014, funded by India's most successful entrepreneurs. Very selective (300 undergrad per year), fully residential, interdisciplinary curriculum. Faculty includes former Harvard, Princeton, and LSE professors. Exchange programmes with 50+ international universities. Tuition: INR 800,000–1,200,000/year — expensive by Indian standards, competitive internationally. Considered India's best liberal arts institution and one of Asia's most exciting new universities.
Is English sufficient for studying in India?
Yes — English is the medium of instruction at all IITs, IIMs, Ashoka, and most major private universities. English is one of India's 22 official languages and functions as a lingua franca across linguistic communities. Daily life in major Indian cities is manageable in English. However, learning basic Hindi phrases and/or the local state language (Tamil in Chennai, Kannada in Bangalore, Bengali in Kolkata) is warmly appreciated and opens significant social doors.
What is the ICCR scholarship?
ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) General Scholarship Scheme provides Indian government-funded study for students from eligible countries. Covers: tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend (INR 10,000–18,000/month depending on level), house rent allowance, and annual contingency grant. Available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes at Indian universities. Applications go through the Indian embassy in your home country — typically open August–October for the following academic year. Available to students from 180+ countries.
Official Resources
Updated 2026-04-12