Tanzanian Student Reveals ₹18,000-₹20,000 Monthly Stipend From Indian Govt

A Tanzanian student recently appeared on comedian Samay Raina's popular YouTube show India's Got Latent, where he spoke about his experience of studying in India. During the interaction, the student said that the Indian government provides him with a stipend once a month or once every three months, which he uses to cover expenses such as rent and electricity while studying in India.

The student revealed that he receives a stipend of ₹18,000-₹20,000 from the Indian government, which he uses to support himself and also sends some of it to his mother in Tanzania. This has drawn attention to the scholarship and funding programmes through which students from developing countries can pursue higher education in India with financial assistance.

For Tanzanian students, one of the key routes is the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship programme, including the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme. The scholarships are fully funded by the Government of India and enable eligible Tanzanian students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and PhD programmes at accredited Indian universities and institutions.

The India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme is administered by ICCR, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of External Affairs. The scheme is intended for students from African countries and supports higher education in India across disciplines such as engineering, science, humanities, arts, commerce and cultural studies.

According to reports, Tanzanian students are eligible for scholarships under both the Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme and the India-Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme. The scholarships cover tuition fees, monthly stipends, accommodation allowances and medical insurance. In some cases, round-trip airfare is also included.

India has increased the number of ICCR scholarship slots allocated to Tanzanian students from 85 to 135 for the 2026-27 academic year. This increase is part of India's overall scholarship allocation for African countries, which has increased from 1,103 slots in 2025-26 to 1,499 slots in 2026-27.

The High Commission of India in Dar es Salaam has confirmed that the ICCR allocation for Tanzania has been increased to 135 for FY 2026-27 from the earlier 85. This allocation is the highest for any country in Africa.

The Indian government's scholarship programmes for foreign students are an important aspect of its foreign policy and diplomacy. These programmes aim to promote cultural exchange, educational cooperation and people-to-people ties between India and other countries.

In the context of India's relations with Africa, the ICCR scholarship programme is a significant initiative. It reflects India's commitment to supporting the educational and developmental aspirations of African countries and promoting mutual understanding and cooperation.

Overall, the Tanzanian student's experience highlights the importance of India's scholarship programmes for foreign students. These programmes not only provide financial assistance but also facilitate cultural exchange and educational cooperation between India and other countries.

The increase in ICCR scholarship slots for Tanzanian students is a positive development that reflects India's growing engagement with Africa. It is likely to have a significant impact on the educational and developmental aspirations of Tanzanian students and promote stronger people-to-people ties between India and Tanzania.

In conclusion, the Indian government's scholarship programmes for foreign students, including the ICCR scholarship programme, are an important aspect of its foreign policy and diplomacy. These programmes promote cultural exchange, educational cooperation and people-to-people ties between India and other countries, and reflect India's commitment to supporting the educational and developmental aspirations of developing countries.