For international students dreaming of a graduate degree in engineering or technology, few names carry as much weight as the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. Ranked number one in India and 26th globally in Engineering and Technology by QS World University Rankings, IIT Delhi represents excellence in technical education, cutting-edge research, and a vibrant innovation ecosystem . And the good news? If you are a foreign student, generous scholarships and financial support make studying here more accessible than you might think.
IIT Delhi welcomes international students to a wide range of graduate programs. At the master’s level, you can pursue M.Tech (Master of Technology), M.Sc (Master of Science), M.S.(R) (Master of Science by Research), M.Des (Master of Design), MBA, M.P.P (Master of Public Policy), and M.A. degrees . For those inclined toward research, the PhD program is offered across all departments, centers, and schools, covering virtually every field of engineering, science, and humanities.
The financial support available to international students is structured primarily around Teaching Assistantships. These are not scholarships in the traditional sense, they are opportunities to earn while you learn, gaining valuable teaching experience while funding your education.
If you are admitted to the PhD program as a full-time foreign national, you are automatically awarded a Teaching Assistantship. This provides ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and increases to ₹42,000 per month for the next three years of your program . This stipend is designed to cover your living expenses comfortably, allowing you to focus entirely on your research.
For master’s students pursuing an M.Tech, M.Des, or M.S.(R), there are a limited number of merit-based Teaching Assistantships available. These provide ₹12,400 per month, along with a tuition fee reimbursement . The assistantship requires you to spend approximately 8 hours per week supporting teaching activities at the institute, such as conducting tutorials, assisting with laboratory sessions, or helping faculty with grading and research support . Continuation of the assistantship depends on maintaining satisfactory academic performance and research progress.
Beyond the institute’s own Teaching Assistantships, international students can also access scholarships through external channels. The most prominent is the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), which offers various scholarship schemes for foreign students . You apply for these through the Indian Embassy or High Commission in your home country, and the commission forwards your application to ICCR, which then recommends candidates to IIT Delhi . This pathway is particularly valuable because it can provide additional financial support or serve as an alternative funding source.
For students from specific South Asian countries, there is another noteworthy opportunity. The DAAD In-Country/In-Region Scholarship Programme supports master’s studies at IIT Delhi for graduates from Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka . This scholarship covers monthly stipends, travel allowances, printing allowances, study and research allowances, and tuition fees, and is specifically available for the M.Tech in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and Technology . The application involves two steps: submitting a complete application through the DAAD portal and simultaneously applying for admission directly to IIT Delhi.
If you are considering the PhD route, the Teaching Assistantship is the standard and most reliable form of support. Foreign nationals are treated similarly to domestic students for tuition purposes, with fees for PG and PhD courses being the same as for Indian students . The hostel accommodation provided on campus adds significant value, eliminating the hassle and expense of finding private housing.
Application deadlines are important to note. For the Fall/Autumn 2026 intake, the application portal opened on February 11, 2026, and closes on March 30, 2026 . You apply directly through the IIT Delhi admissions portal at ecampus.iitd.ac.in/IPGADM/login. For PhD applicants and some master’s programs, you may also apply through your home country’s embassy or through scholarship schemes like ICCR at any time of year, but earlier is always better .
The required application materials typically include your academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies, with certified English translations if the originals are not in English, a curriculum vitae detailing your academic record and any research or industrial experience, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and for PhD applicants, a research proposal summary .
For international students who receive a Teaching Assistantship, the value extends beyond the monthly stipend. You are provided with boarding and lodging in hostels on campus for the normal duration of your program, with separate hostels for men and women, each equipped with mess facilities serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner . You also receive support for conference travel, both domestic and international, allowing you to present your research and build professional networks . A partial travel allowance to visit your home country is also provided, helping you maintain connections with family during your studies .
IIT Delhi’s campus is home to a vibrant international community with students from over twenty countries . The institute offers cultural immersion programs to help you adjust to life in India, and all instruction is conducted in English, removing language barriers to your academic success.
For students considering other programs at IIT Delhi’s international campuses, there are additional options. The Abu Dhabi campus offers an M.Tech in Energy Transition and Sustainability with up to 100 percent tuition waiver and a stipend of AED 5,000 per month for international students .
The combination of world-class education, generous financial support, and a welcoming international environment makes IIT Delhi one of the most attractive destinations for graduate study in Asia. If you are ready to take the next step in your academic journey, the application portal is open. Your future at India’s premier technical institute could begin today.
Conclusion
IIT Delhi is not just India’s top technical institute. It is a global institution that competes with the best in the world, and its commitment to attracting international talent is evident in the financial support it offers. For students who are admitted, the Teaching Assistantship system ensures that funding is not an afterthought, it is built into the experience from day one.
What makes IIT Delhi particularly attractive is the combination of affordability and prestige. The stipend of ₹37,000 to ₹42,000 per month for PhD students and ₹12,400 per month for master’s students is not a token gesture. It is a living wage that allows you to focus on your studies and research without the constant pressure of financial worry. Add to that the hostel accommodation, the conference travel support, and the partial travel allowance to visit home, and you have a package that genuinely supports your well-being and professional development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What financial support is available for international students at IIT Delhi?
The primary source of support for international students at IIT Delhi is the Teaching Assistantship program. If you are admitted as a full-time foreign national to the PhD program, you automatically receive a Teaching Assistantship providing ₹37,000 per month for the first two years and ₹42,000 per month for the next three years of your program . For master’s students pursuing M.Tech, M.Des, or M.S.(R) programs, a limited number of merit-based Teaching Assistantships are available, providing ₹12,400 per month . All Teaching Assistantships require approximately 8 hours per week of teaching support activities such as conducting tutorials, assisting with laboratory sessions, or helping faculty with grading and research .
What external scholarship options can I explore?
International students can also apply for scholarships through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The application process involves submitting your application to the Indian Embassy or High Commission in your home country, which then forwards it to ICCR. ICCR in turn recommends applicants to IIT Delhi . This pathway is particularly valuable as it can provide additional financial support or serve as an alternative funding source.
What are the application deadlines for international students?
For the Fall/Autumn 2026 intake, the admission portal for foreign nationals opened on February 11, 2026, and closes on March 30, 2026 . For PhD applicants and some master’s programs, you may also apply through your home country’s embassy or through scholarship schemes like ICCR at any time of year, but applying earlier is strongly recommended.
Is there an application fee?
Yes, the application processing fee is generally ₹500 plus applicable transaction charges . Some programs may have different fee structures, so check the specific requirements for your chosen program.
What are the eligibility criteria for international students?
Eligibility varies by program level. For M.Tech programs, applicants typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with strong academic standing and a valid GATE score . However, for international students, the requirement of a national-level exam like GATE is generally waived . For PhD programs, applicants need a master’s degree in a relevant field. International students who obtained their qualifying degree from an Indian university must meet the same requirements as domestic students, including national-level exam requirements .
Do I need to take the GATE exam as an international student?
Generally, no. For international students who obtained their qualifying degree outside India, the requirement of a national-level qualifying exam like GATE is waived . However, if you obtained your qualifying degree from an Indian university or institute, all requirements including national-level exam requirements will apply .
How do I convert my CGPA to percentage for application?
If your university provides grading on a CGPA scale, you must convert your CGPA to percentage according to the conversion formula prevailing at your university. You need to upload a certificate on official letterhead from your university indicating this conversion. If your university does not provide a conversion formula, the accepted method is multiplication of CGPA by 10 (for example, a CGPA of 7.5 equals 75 percent) .
What documents do I need to submit?
Required documents typically include your academic transcripts and certificates from all previous studies, with certified English translations if the originals are not in English, a curriculum vitae detailing your academic record and any research or industrial experience, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and for PhD applicants, a research proposal summary .