The India-Afghanistan Fellowship Programme, started in 2010-11, helps Afghan students develop skills in agriculture and help in pursuing Master's in India by offering fellowships for Master’s and Ph.D programs in Indian Agricultural Universities. Initially, 115 fellowships were offered each year, covering education and living expenses. Let’s take a look at how one can join this fellowship program.

What Are The Benefits Of The India Afghanistan Fellowship Scheme?

Let’s understand how it benefits students from both countries pursuing PhD in India.

• The India Afghanistan fellowship is for 4 years for a Bachelor's degree, 2 years for a Master’s degree, and 3 years for a Ph.D. program, with monthly amounts of Rs. 12,000 for Bachelor’s and Master’s programs and Rs. 15,000 for PhD programs.

• Students must use this amount to cover tuition, hostel, mess, medical expenses, and travel within India.

• A research grant of Rs. 6,000 per year for M.Sc. and Rs. 10,000 per year for PhD candidates, along with group insurance, is under consideration.

• The annual bench fee of $2000 per candidate will be covered by the India-Afghanistan Fund.

• The fee structure will follow the University’s norms, and students cannot change their University after admission, though they can indicate preferences when applying.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria To Apply For The India-Afghanistan Fellowship Program?

Let’s take a look at the eligibility criteria to apply for the India -Afghanistan fellowship program.

• Candidates must have a good knowledge of English.

• For the Bachelor’s degree program, candidates must have passed the 10th and 12th examinations with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology or Mathematics or both to apply for a B.Sc. in Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, or Bachelor of Technology/Biotechnology.

• For the Master’s degree program in M.Sc. in Agriculture and related fields, candidates must have a four-year Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or a related subject.

• For M.V.Sc., candidates must have completed a B.V.Sc. & A.H. degree with an internship in a five-year program before registration.

• For M.Tech., candidates must have a B.Tech. or B.E. degree. An Overall Grade Point Average of 5.50 out of 10 or equivalent marks at the Bachelor’s level is required.

• For the Doctoral program, candidates need a Master’s degree in the relevant or related subject with an Overall Grade Point Average of 6.5 out of 10 or something equivalent to that.

Application Process Of The India-Afghanistan Fellowship Program

Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can follow these steps to apply to pursue degree programmes.

1. The government will put out application links at the beginning of the academic year. Interested students can apply once the application links are available.

2. Afghan nationals must get sponsorship from their government.

3. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India checks if the applications meet the required criteria.

4. After checking, the Afghan Government sends the approved applications through their Embassy to the MEA in India.

5. The MEA then sends these applications to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) in India.

6. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) checks if the candidates are eligible and recommends them for admission to Indian Agricultural Universities.

7. The University will inform the selected candidates and provide a recommendation letter.

8. Students must show their original documents for verification at the College or University during admission.

9. Once everything is done, the selected candidates can start their courses in Indian Agricultural Universities.

Documents Required To Submit For The India-Afghanistan Fellowship Program

Students have to ensure they submit all these documents along with the application form.

• Afghan nationals should be recommended by the Government of India after being nominated by the Afghanistan Government.

• Students who receive the scholarship must bring their original qualification documents for verification during admission at the College or University.

• Some Indian Agricultural Universities might ask candidates to give their original documents. These documents will be returned after the course is completed.

• All official communication, including recommendation letters, will be handled through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) in India.

Conclusion

The India-Afghanistan fellowship program is a great program for students who want to pursue their degrees in India. Since the government will give them money for their expenses, no extra money has to be spent by the students. This will help students get the exposure and experience they need.

For more information on the India-Afghanistan fellowship program, click here. Stay updated with Jaagruk Bharat about the latest government fellowship programs and scholarships. Also, visit our community page if you have any queries.