For Indian aspirants the two main French government scholarships are Charpak and Eiffel. They are run by different bodies, follow different application paths, and cannot be combined. This page covers what each award actually pays, who it is for, and how to time the applications.
Run by the Embassy of France in India, Charpak is the main entry route for Indian students who want a fully funded master's or exchange semester in France.
What it covers
• Master's track: tuition contribution, monthly stipend, visa fees, health insurance, partial travel reimbursement
• Exchange track: stipend support for one semester, plus visa and insurance cover
Who it is for
Indian national, under 30, admitted to a programme in France at master's level or in an exchange. Strong academic record. No prior degree from France.
Annual cycle. Applications usually open in January and close in late March; timings are reliable.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Campus France for the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
Eiffel is a national French government scholarship for master's and PhD candidates of any nationality. It is awarded through the host French university, not directly by the student.
What it covers
• Monthly allowance, return airfare, health insurance, and a cultural activity allowance
• Some host universities add a partial or full tuition waiver on top
Who it is for
Master's or PhD candidates of any nationality. The host French university is the nominator — you cannot apply directly; the school enters you into the competition.
Internal university window typically runs September to early January. Ask the school as soon as you accept the offer.
Choosing between Charpak and Eiffel
You cannot hold Charpak and Eiffel at the same time.
The French government treats them as mutually exclusive. Apply to whichever fits your situation; do not bank on stacking both.
Apply for Charpak before you have the admission letter if you can.
Charpak's January window opens before most French master's admissions close. Strong applicants apply during the offer round so the funding decision lands alongside their seat.
Push the host school early on Eiffel.
Because Eiffel goes through the university, the school decides who they nominate. The earlier you signal interest, the better positioned you are when the internal shortlist is drawn.
A note on state level scholarships. A handful of Indian state schemes — for example the Annal Ambedkar Overseas Scholarship in Tamil Nadu — can fund foreign study at French institutions, but eligibility is typically restricted to specific communities, so they do not apply to most aspirants. We are not publishing state guides yet because the rules change frequently and we want to verify each one with someone on the ground before recommending it.