2027 intake: applications closed 15 May 2026
MEXT (Japanese Government) Research Student Scholarship
The MEXT Research Student Scholarship lets Indian graduates study for a master's or PhD in Japan with tuition exempted, round-trip airfare and a monthly stipend of ¥144,000 (master's) or ¥145,000 (doctoral). Applicants for the 2027 intake had to be under 35 with at least 70% marks (65% in humanities and social sciences) and applied through the Embassy of Japan in India.
Key facts
| Monthly stipend | ¥143,000 preparatory · ¥144,000 master's/professional · ¥145,000 doctoral |
|---|---|
| Other benefits | Tuition fees exempted; round-trip airfare |
| Age | Under 35 (born on or after 2 April 1992, for the 2027 intake) |
| Marks | Bachelor's with at least 70% (65% for humanities and social sciences); PhD second phase needs a relevant master's with 70% plus research or work experience |
| 2027 timeline | Deadline 15 May 2026; written exam 28 June 2026; online interview early July |
Who is eligible
- Applying through the Embassy of Japan in India for graduate-level study (master's or PhD)
- Under 35 (born on or after 2 April 1992, for the 2027 intake)
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 70% marks (65% for humanities and social sciences)
- Degree and mark sheet dated on or before 30 September 2027
What it covers
- Monthly stipend: ¥143,000 (preparatory), ¥144,000 (master's), ¥145,000 (doctoral)
- Tuition exempted
- Round-trip airfare
How to apply
- Download the application form from the Embassy of Japan in India's MEXT research student page
- Submit it by email as a Word file before the deadline (the embassy rejects PDFs, scans and links)
- Take the written examination (28 June in the 2026 round)
- Attend the online interview in early July
Our take
MEXT through the embassy route is highly competitive but fully funded, and it is one of the few scholarships where you do not need a university admission first. Plan your research proposal carefully and keep to the embassy's file-format rules, because incorrectly formatted applications are rejected automatically.
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