Saudi Government Scholarships for Indian Students — Fresh Embassy Update 2026
Author: Clear My Udaan
Reviewed & Updated: 25 August 2026
Category: Study Abroad
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Quick Summary
The Embassy of India in Riyadh updated its information on Saudi Government scholarships on 24 August 2026, bringing fresh attention to higher-education scholarship opportunities available to international students, including Indian applicants.
According to the Embassy:
Indian students can explore scholarships at Saudi Government universities.
Students should check the concerned university for current admission and scholarship requirements.
Scholarship opportunities can cover university-level, Master’s and PhD studies.
The Embassy-linked scholarship document lists 26 Saudi Government universities.
Basic age limits are 17–25 years for university-level study, up to 30 years for Master’s programmes, and up to 35 years for doctoral programmes.
Benefits may include healthcare, accommodation/support, allowances, subsidised meals and travel tickets, subject to applicable scholarship and university rules.
The Embassy page itself does not provide one common application deadline for all universities. Applicants should therefore verify the current application period with their chosen institution before applying.
What Is the Latest Saudi Scholarship Update for Indian Students?
The Embassy of India, Riyadh states that Saudi Arabia allocates scholarships for higher education to international students.
Indian students interested in these opportunities are advised by the Embassy to apply to or contact the relevant Saudi Government university and check its official admission information, including eligibility criteria, application procedures and programme availability.
The Saudi Ministry of Education also maintains the Study in Saudi platform for international students interested in studying at Saudi higher-education institutions. Applicants should therefore follow the latest instructions shown by their selected university and the official Saudi platform at the time of application.
Important clarification
The Embassy page shows a last-updated date of 24 August 2026. This does not necessarily mean that Saudi Arabia launched an entirely new scholarship scheme on that date.
It is more accurate to describe this as a fresh Embassy update to existing Saudi Government scholarship information.
Who Can Apply?
Indian students who meet the relevant Saudi university and scholarship conditions may be considered.
The Embassy-linked requirements give the following basic age framework:
Study LevelBasic Age RequirementUniversity / Undergraduate level17–25 yearsMaster’s degreeUp to 30 yearsPhD / DoctorateUp to 35 yearsThe document also states that an educational institution may make an exception to these age requirements in certain circumstances.
Therefore, students slightly outside these limits should not automatically assume they are ineligible; the final decision depends on the concerned educational institution.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
According to the requirements linked by the Embassy of India, applicants may need to satisfy conditions including:
1. Academic eligibility
Applicants must meet the admission requirements applicable to the programme and educational institution they are applying to.
2. Age requirement
Generally:
17–25 years for university-level studies
Up to 30 years for Master's studies
Up to 35 years for doctoral studies
3. No other Saudi scholarship
The applicant should not already be receiving another scholarship from an educational institution in Saudi Arabia.
4. Attested academic documents
Educational certificates and supporting documents may need to be properly authenticated or attested according to the requirements of the educational institution.
5. Police Clearance Certificate
Applicants may be required to provide a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) issued by the relevant authority in their home country.
6. Medical fitness
A medical certificate may be required according to applicable university or scholarship regulations.
7. Academic recommendation
Some educational institutions may ask applicants to provide a recommendation issued by an institution or recognised person specified by the university.
Applicants should not treat this as a final document checklist for every university. Individual Saudi universities can impose additional academic, language, document or programme-specific requirements.
What Does the Saudi Government Scholarship Cover?
One of the most attractive parts of these opportunities is the potential financial support available to eligible international scholarship students.
The Embassy-linked scholarship information lists benefits that may include:
Healthcare
Healthcare facilities may be provided to the scholarship student and, where applicable under the rules, accompanying family members.
Arrival allowance
The linked document mentions a preparation allowance equivalent to two months on arrival.
Book allowance
A three-month allowance for books is also mentioned in the Embassy-linked scholarship information.
Accommodation
The educational institution may provide appropriate housing and other student-support facilities.
Subsidised food
Food may be available to scholarship students at discounted rates through the institution.
Travel tickets
Travel tickets may be provided according to the rules of the educational institution.
Academic and student support
Students may also have access to scientific, social, cultural and training support provided by the institution.
The Saudi Ministry of Education separately states that external scholarship benefits can include healthcare, an arrival financial reward, housing and annual travel tickets, depending on the regulations governing the scholarship.
Important: Benefits should not be assumed to be identical for every student or university. The exact scholarship package should always be confirmed from the university's current offer or official scholarship notification.
26 Saudi Government Universities Listed by the Embassy
The scholarship document linked by the Embassy lists the following 26 universities for students to explore:
Umm Al-Qura University
Islamic University
Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University
King Abdulaziz University
King Saud University
King Faisal University
King Khalid University
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
Qassim University
Taibah University
Taif University
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
University of Hail
University of Tabuk
Najran University
Jazan University
Al-Baha University
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University
Majmaah University
Northern Border University
Jouf University
University of Bisha
University of Hafr Al-Batin
Shaqra University
University of Jeddah
The presence of a university on this Embassy-linked list does not mean every programme at that university is currently accepting international scholarship applications. Students must check current course availability and scholarship intake directly.
Which Courses Can International Students Study?
Saudi Arabia offers international students opportunities across multiple levels of higher education.
The Saudi Ministry of Education's information for public-university scholarships refers to study at levels including:
Arabic-language diploma programmes
Bachelor's degrees
Higher diplomas
Master's degrees
PhD programmes
The Ministry states that available specialisations and conditions depend on the university and applicable admission regulations. Its general public-university scholarship information excludes health and medical specialisations from the general route it describes, so applicants interested in medical programmes should verify eligibility separately.
How Should Indian Students Apply?
Students should approach the process carefully rather than submitting applications randomly to multiple universities.
Step 1: Choose your study level
Decide whether you want to pursue:
Bachelor's
Master's
PhD
Another eligible higher-education programme
Step 2: Shortlist universities
Review the Saudi universities offering your preferred subject.
Step 3: Check programme-specific eligibility
Confirm:
Academic percentage or GPA
Previous qualification
Language requirements
Age criteria
Required documents
Programme availability
Scholarship availability
Step 4: Check the current application route
The Embassy advises Indian applicants to check with the concerned Saudi Government university directly.
Saudi Arabia also operates the official Study in Saudi platform for international students. Follow the current application instructions displayed by the university or official Saudi platform when you apply.
Step 5: Prepare documents
Depending on the programme, students may need documents such as:
Passport
Academic certificates
Transcripts
Attested educational documents
Police Clearance Certificate
Medical certificate
Recommendation letters
Language-test evidence, where required
Additional documents requested by the university
Step 6: Submit before the university deadline
Do not wait for a single nationwide deadline because scholarship application periods can differ between universities.
Is There an Application Deadline?
There is no single universal deadline mentioned on the Embassy's scholarship page.
The Saudi Ministry of Education states that the opening date for scholarship applications is determined according to the requirements of the academic year at universities.
Students should therefore check the current admission calendar of their chosen university or the Study in Saudi platform.
This is particularly important because one university may be accepting applications while another has already closed its scholarship intake.
Fact vs Professional Guidance
Officially Confirmed InformationClear My Udaan GuidanceSaudi Arabia provides higher-education scholarship opportunities to international students.Shortlist universities based on your academic profile rather than applying everywhere.Indian students are eligible to explore these opportunities.Start document preparation early, especially PCC and document attestation where required.Basic age limits are 17–25, up to 30 and up to 35 depending on study level.Check whether the university grants exceptions before rejecting yourself based only on age.Benefits can include healthcare, allowances, housing and travel support.Confirm the exact financial package in your individual scholarship offer.The Embassy-linked document lists 26 universities.Do not assume every listed university currently offers your programme or a scholarship seat.No single deadline is provided by the Embassy.Check your chosen university and Study in Saudi regularly for current application windows.Why Saudi Arabia May Be Worth Considering
Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly visible higher-education destination for international students.
For eligible applicants, government-university scholarships can make studying abroad substantially more affordable because qualifying awards may combine academic study with accommodation and other forms of financial or student support.
The opportunity may be particularly relevant for Indian students considering Bachelor's, Master's or research-level education and who are open to destinations beyond the traditional UK, Canada, Australia and US routes.
However, scholarship availability remains competitive and university-specific, so students should make decisions based on verified programme information rather than social-media claims.
FAQs
Are Indian students eligible for Saudi Government scholarships?
Yes. The Embassy of India in Riyadh specifically provides information for Indian students interested in Saudi Government higher-education scholarships.
What is the age limit?
The basic limits listed in the Embassy-linked information are 17–25 years for university-level studies, up to 30 years for Master's programmes and up to 35 years for doctoral programmes. Educational institutions may allow exceptions.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
Some Saudi Government scholarships can carry substantial benefits. Saudi Ministry information distinguishes between full/free, partial and other scholarship arrangements, so applicants must check the exact scholarship category offered to them.
Is accommodation included?
Housing is among the benefits that may be available to external scholarship students, subject to the applicable programme and university regulations.
Are flight tickets included?
Travel tickets are listed among potential scholarship benefits, subject to the relevant regulations and institution.
Do Indian students need a PCC?
The basic requirements linked by the Embassy include a police clearance certificate issued by the relevant security authority in the student's country.
Can I apply for a Master's or PhD?
Yes. The scholarship information includes Master's and doctoral study, subject to university eligibility and programme availability.
Is there one deadline for all Saudi universities?
No universal application deadline is stated in the Embassy update. Application periods depend on universities and the academic-year schedule.
Where should I apply?
The Embassy tells Indian students to check with the concerned Saudi Government university. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education also operates the official Study in Saudi platform for international applicants. Always follow the current instructions provided by the relevant university or official portal.
Final Takeaway
The latest Embassy update is a useful reminder for Indian students that Saudi Government scholarship opportunities are available across Saudi public higher-education institutions.
With potential support for tuition-related study, housing, healthcare, allowances and travel, these scholarships can be worth exploring for students considering Bachelor's, Master's or PhD education abroad.
But students should remember three things:
There is no single deadline for every university.
Eligibility and scholarship benefits can differ by institution.
Always verify the latest requirements through official Saudi university and government sources before applying.
For students planning to study in Saudi Arabia, the best next step is to shortlist suitable programmes, check current scholarship availability and prepare the required academic and supporting documents early.
Official Sources
Embassy of India, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Scholarship for Indian Students by Saudi Government. Page last updated 24 August 2026.
Embassy-linked Saudi Government Scholarship Details — basic eligibility requirements, scholarship features and list of 26 universities.
Saudi Ministry of Education — Scholarships in Public Universities and information for international scholarship students.
Study in Saudi — Saudi Ministry of Education — official platform for international students.
Disclaimer: Scholarship rules, available programmes, benefits, application dates and admission requirements can change. Students should verify all information with the concerned Saudi university and official government sources before submitting an application or making financial decisions.
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