Top 5 DAAD Scholarships for Indian Students to Pursue Higher Education in Germany

31 July 2025

Germany is among the most budget-friendly and student-friendly places to pursue higher education in Europe. For Indian students who wish to pursue their studies in Germany, finances are the determining factor. German Academic Exchange Service, or DAAD for short, is one of the names that cross one’s mind when discussing international student funding, particularly Indians.

Each year, DAAD offers hundreds of scholarships for tuition fees, living expenses, and even airfares. No matter what your interest lies in a master’s, PhD, or research study – DAAD offers multiple opportunities to fund your aspiration. The icing on the cake is that these scholarships are not just for academic toppers; your interest, intention, and profile too are considered.

Here is a carefully researched list of the top 5 DAAD scholarships in 2025 for Indian students that provide full or partial scholarships to enable you to pursue studies in Germany without spending any amount of money.

1. DAAD EPOS (Development-Related Postgraduate Courses)

This scholarship is perfect for Indian students applying for master’s or postgraduate courses that foster sustainable development. It offers full tuition fee, travel, and living costs, plus a monthly stipend of approximately €934 for master’s students.

Who can apply?

Postgraduates with two years of professional experience in disciplines of economics, engineering, public health, social sciences, and environmental studies.

2. DAAD Research Grants for Doctoral Candidates

Indian PhD scholars who want to pursue full-time research at a German research institution or university can use this long-term scholarship. It offers a monthly stipend of €1,300, travel reimbursement, and health insurance.

Who can apply?

Graduate students of all fields interested in pursuing a PhD or individual research for a minimum of 7 to 36 months in Germany.

3. DAAD Study Scholarships for Graduates of All Disciplines

This scholarship supports Indian graduates wishing to study for a full-time master’s program in Germany. It supports travel, tuition fees, and living costs.

Who can apply?

Recent graduates (bachelor’s degree) from any background applying for a master’s degree at a German university.

4. DAAD IIT Master Sandwich Program

This scholarship is only for Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) students who wish to spend some part of their master course in Germany on a sandwich scheme. It is a combination of study in India and Germany with a maximum sponsorship of 12 months.

Who can apply?

Master’s students of an IIT, interested in joint supervision or collaborative research between an IIT and a German university.

5. DAAD WISE (Working Internships in Science and Engineering)

One of the favorite schemes among Indian science and engineering undergraduate students, the WISE scholarship provides students with a 2-3 month internship at a German research institute or university during the summer holidays.

Eligibility

Indian Bachelor’s-level engineering, mathematics, or natural science students from certain Indian universities.

Why Choose DAAD Scholarships?

DAAD scholarships are fair and competitive. They provide total transparency in the process of application and examine not only academic performance but also career aspirations, motivation, and social utility. To date, until the year 2025, over 600 Indian students have been funded under DAAD schemes, making it one of the most trustworthy scholarship-providing organizations for students planning to study in Germany.

If you are going to study in Germany and need professional assistance with your DAAD application, BCES Admissions Abroad is here to provide assistance. We guide you step by step from course selection to document preparation and SOPs.

Contact BCES Admissions Abroad today at +91 9319996328 and begin your Germany experience with the professional assistance you need.