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ARISE
โ† All destinations

Study in India

The largest undergraduate system on earth: IITs and NITs for engineering, AIIMS and state medical colleges for medicine, national law universities, and design, commerce and liberal-arts campuses that now teach in English at a fraction of Western tuition.

Tuition / year
$400 โ€“ $12,000

ReferenceReviewed estimate โ€” confirm figures before you decide.

Living cost / year
$1,800 โ€“ $5,200

ReferenceReviewed estimate โ€” confirm figures before you decide.

Visa complexity
Moderate
Scholarships
Moderate

Cost ranges are ARISE reference estimates for planning โ€” not a guarantee. Confirm the current figure before you decide.

What you'll need to apply

  • Class 12 / Higher Secondary or an equivalent recognised by the Association of Indian Universities
  • Entrance exam for most seats: JEE Main and Advanced for engineering, NEET-UG for medicine, CLAT for law, CUET for central universities, state exams such as KCET
  • English-medium study or IELTS 6.0 where the school was not English-medium
  • Passport, and an eligibility certificate from the university for international applicants

Popular programs & cities

Computer Science EngineeringMedicine (MBBS)Law (BA LLB)Commerce and BusinessDesignBengaluruDelhiMumbaiChennaiPuneManipalHassan

After you graduate: No general post-study work visa. Graduates move to an employment visa with a sponsoring employer; a salary floor applies to most foreign nationals.

Your student visa checklist

  • Valid passport

    Document

    Valid for the full duration of your course.

  • Provisional admission letter

    Document

    From a university recognised by the UGC or AICTE.

  • Indian student visa

    Step

    Applied for online, then submitted at the Indian mission in your country.

  • Proof of funds

    Financial

    Tuition plus living costs for the first year.

  • AIU equivalence certificate

    Document

    Required when your school qualification was awarded outside India.

  • FRRO registration

    Step

    Register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office within 14 days of arriving.

  • Medical and HIV test report

    Health

    Required for stays longer than one year.

Your first month after landing

  • 24 hoursReach your hostel or accommodation and check in
  • 24 hoursBuy an Indian SIM โ€” you will need it for almost every campus service
  • 24 hoursMessage family that you have arrived safely
  • 7 daysComplete university registration and collect your student ID
  • 7 daysOpen an Indian bank account and link it to UPI
  • 7 daysRegister with the FRRO if you are an international student
  • 7 daysLearn your campus-to-city transport route
  • 30 daysRegister for a health centre and buy student health cover
  • 30 daysJoin a campus club โ€” Indian campus life runs on them
  • 30 daysCheck internship and part-time rules for your visa category
India Community Hub

Talk to students & workers currently in India

Ask honest questions about rent, part-time jobs, and culture in our verified nation group.

Costs, visa conditions and work rights change often. Use what is here to plan and compare, then confirm the details before you decide.