Awarding Teleeducation Scholarships to Afghan Students

Awarding Teleeducation Scholarships to Afghan Students is a scheme run by the Ministry of External Affairs under the e-VidyaBharati Network Project. It offers 1,000 online scholarships every year to Afghan nationals so they can earn UGC-approved undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Indian universities.

For the 2026-27 academic year, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has announced 1,000 online scholarships for Afghan students. Applications opened on 15 July 2026 through the e-VidyaBharati iLearn portal, and the last date to apply online is 24 July 2026.

Awarding Teleeducation Scholarships to Afghan Students - Introduction

This scheme started in October 2019 under the e-VidyaBharati Network Project. It gives Afghan students access to quality higher education from India without leaving their homes. The scholarships are offered under the Special Scholarship Scheme for Afghan Nationals (SSSAN).

Students can pick from many UGC-approved online courses in fields such as arts, commerce, management, business administration and computer science. The scholarship covers the full cost of the course, so students can focus on their studies.

For example, a student named Ahmad who wants to do an M.B.A. can find out about partner universities on the official portal and apply directly for the scholarship. The degree must be completed within the standard duration, which is 3 years for undergraduate and 2 years for postgraduate programmes. Any change in timeline follows official university and UGC rules.

Key Information

Benefits

This scheme fully sponsors the degree cost, so students can focus on their studies without money worries. The scholarship covers the following expenses:

Upon graduation, the degree is awarded online. Physical copies of certificates are sent to the Indian Mission in Kabul, where students can collect them personally.

Eligibility

To apply, a student should meet the following criteria:

• Must be a citizen of Afghanistan. The scholarship is open to Afghan nationals living anywhere in the world, as long as they hold a valid Afghan national identity document (Tazkira) or passport.
• Age should be between 18 and 35 years as of 1 July of the respective academic year.
• Must meet the specific academic requirements set by the chosen Indian university.
• Should show English proficiency, since English is the medium of instruction.
• May apply for only one program under the e-VB project at a time.

Students who already obtained a degree under this project and wish to pursue another degree can also apply afresh through the iLearn portal. Always check the university-specific admission requirements before submitting the application. For example, a student named Fatima who wants to move from a B.Com to an M.Com can submit a new application through the portal once she meets all entry criteria.

Application Process

Follow these steps to complete the online application process for the 2026-27 academic year.

STEP 1 - Visit the official iLearn portal and select Login/Register. Click on Sign Up Now, provide your email, and verify it with the code sent to your inbox.

STEP 2 - Create a secure password and set your display name to finish the initial setup. Enter your personal details including your name, current residence and preferred learning center to create your user ID.

STEP 3 - Log in and select Explore Programmes to find courses that match your career goals. Use filters to narrow down your choices by degree type, exam dates and partner institutions.

STEP 4 - Click on your chosen course to be redirected to the specific university registration page. Verify your email again on the university portal and log in to fill out the detailed enrollment form.

STEP 5 - Submit the form along with all required details before the last date of 24 July 2026. After completing the course, fill out the Alumni Form on the iLearn portal and the India Alumni portal. For any help, reach out to support@ilearn.gov.in.

Documents

Keep these documents ready for the application:

1. Academic transcripts and certificates that meet the requirements of the chosen Indian university.
2. A valid National ID (Tazkira) or passport with photograph and date of birth clearly visible, valid until the enrollment date.

All documents should be uploaded in .jpeg, .jpg or .png formats, with a file size between 50KB and 250KB. If documents are in a local language, certified English translations should be provided.

References

For further details, refer to these official resources:

• Official Scheme Guidelines 2026
• Official Scholarship Website
• iLearn User Manual

FAQ's

What is the main aim of Awarding Teleeducation Scholarships to Afghan Students?

This scheme provides 1,000 annual scholarships to Afghan students so they can earn UGC-approved degrees from Indian universities through online learning.

Who can apply for the e-VB scholarship in 2026-27?

Any Afghan national between 18 and 35 years old who holds a valid Afghan national identity document or passport and meets the entry requirements of the selected program can apply.

What is the last date to apply for 2026-27?

Applications opened on 15 July 2026, and the last date to submit the online application is 24 July 2026.

Are there any application fees?

No, the application process is completely free. There is no mandate for anyone to charge any fee from learners.

How are the courses delivered?

All programs are conducted fully online using the Learning Management Systems of the respective Indian partner universities.

What happens if a student fails a subject?

If a student does not clear the subjects, the scholarship status may be deferred until the required academic standards set by the scheme rules are met.