Studying in India for Nepali students is perhaps the most accessible option, be it in terms of geographical nearness, absence of a visa regime, affordable tuition fees, cultural similarities, or the ease provided by the cordial India-Nepal cooperation. Hence, India is one of the most sought-after education hubs for students in Nepal, ranging from school level up to PhD.

There are provisions for a good number of scholarships for Nepali students who want to study in India, as set by the Indian government through the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. According to the Education Wing at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, the number of scholarship seats for Nepali students is 800 every year, with 793 of these scholarships covering full tuition fees as well as a stipend.

“Reasons, why India has become an education hub for Nepali nationals, is because it is less expensive in comparison to other countries, the placements students get after achieving an Indian degree is also very good and also the fact that there’s no visa regime between Nepal and India,” said a representative from the Education Wing. “There are a lot of opportunities. Many Nepalis have been employed in India after studying there and Nepalis also get a chance to get into the mainstream. Moreover, Indian education institutes offer the topmost education facilities in the world which cannot be challenged even by advanced countries,” the representative added.

According to him, the process to apply for education in India is “as clear as water” with required information uploaded on the Embassy’s website. Selection of candidates for these seats is done on the basis of exams and interviews as well as by looking at the student’s past academic records. Moreover, the Embassy of India also regularly publishes notices and advertisements about the opening of scholarship schemes through all leading Nepali media.

“Another major advantage of studying in India is that students don’t have to fight it out, day in and day out, unlike in other parts of the globe,” the representative from the Education Wing commented.



The fact that studying in India for Nepali students is less tough compared to other countries is one of the reasons that Biraj Singh Khadka chose to pursue his undergraduate studies in India. A student currently pursuing his Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication from Sharda University in Delhi, Biraj says, “It’s better to come to India and study conveniently rather than go to other countries and face a hard time balancing work and studies.” The best things about Indian education for him are its affordability, good faculty members, impressive infrastructure and the method of teaching that is focused more on practical learning and less on theoretical knowledge.

“Teachers who teach media in Sharda University have mostly worked or are still working in Bollywood. Hence, we get chances to visit Indian TV channels and other media outlets very often. One of the main reasons that I chose to study in India is also because of the Bollywood industry here,” shares Biraj who has nine years of working experience in the Nepali media.

“I didn’t expect much from Sharda when I first came here,” confesses Biraj. But he says that the University has now proven to be much better than what he expected from it. However, he does have issues adapting to some technical aspects, such as the lengthy 8 am to 4 pm class schedule, the assignment load and the scorching heat of Delhi. Most students agree that the application process to Indian universities and colleges are very simple.

“I didn’t have to go through any complicated application process,” says Renasha Ghimire, who is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology at Lovely Professional University in Punjab. “The admission process was merit-based. However, they also accepted students who were awaiting results of Grade 12,” says Renasha. “To go elsewhere, I would have had to take a gap year. Since my parents didn’t support my idea of taking a gap year, the most suitable option for me was coming to India. Moreover, doing SATs for a person like me, who’s weak in math, wouldn’t have been a wise option,” Renasha elaborates the reasons behind deciding to study in India.

Nonetheless, although India is similar to Nepal in a lot of ways, Nepali students do have a hard time adjusting to some aspects of Indian life, like extremely hot climates and sometimes the diet. However, Renasha is lucky to be studying in the northern side of India, which she says is much more similar to home than other parts of India. “I’ve seen my friends crying over the scorching heat of Delhi or the dietary habits they have to get used to in South India,” she shares. Due to its updated course syllabus and the technologically advanced infrastructure of her college, Renasha is content with the type of education that she is receiving. She says Indian education has met most of her expectations.

On a positive note, unlike in Nepal, studying in India means that there are no bandas. Hence, education is not interrupted, and this is also one of the best things that Renasha likes about studying in India. However, she does feel that the method of teaching can be made even more practical.

Experiences of Nepali students in India have mostly been positive on the whole. However, before opting to choose India for further studies, even with all its advantages, one must consider some aspects of what studying and living in India can be like.

“Before choosing any college, students should think about factors such as college facilities, climatic conditions and food habits,” advises the representative of the Education Wing at the Embassy of India, adding, “These are small things but they do matter.

Published on: 1 October 2013 | Republica