GKS Scholarship 2025 (Global Korea Scholarship): Deadline & Requirements

GKS Scholarship for Indian Students: Key Highlights

What is GKS scholarship for International Students?

GKS Scholarship or Global Korea Scholarship is a highly competitive program aimed at encouraging international collaboration in pursuit of higher studies in South Korea. International students from over 150 nations enjoy the privilege of the GKS scholarship program.

GKS Scholarship Benefits for Indian Students

The important benefits of the GKS scholarship for Indian students in the 2025-26 academic year include,

• Airfare: This covers actual flight expenses for entrance and final departure in South Korea for education.

• Settlement Allowance: While arriving in South Korea, the GKS scholarship offers Rs 12,589 (KRW 200,000).

• Monthly Allowance: This scholarship provides Rs 56,642 (KRW 900,000) per month for students.

• Korean Proficiency Grants: The GKS scholarship offers Rs 6,293 (KRW 100,000) per month.

• Degree completion Grants: In a final departure the scholarship offers Rs 6,293 (KRW 100,000).

• Health Insurance: According to NIIED, the required amount will be provided every month by the GKS Scholarship.

• Language Training Fee: Each quarterly, NIIED offers Rs 81,803 (KRW 1.3 million and the university provides over KRW 1.3 million.

• Tuition fee Benefits: Up to Rs 3.47 lakhs (KRW 5 million) in tuition fees are covered by NIIED, with an additional payment made higher than KRW 5 million by GKS Scholarship.

Also Read: Cost of living in South Korea

GKS Scholarship Eligibility 2026

The eligibility criteria for the GKS Scholarship for Indian students are given below:

• Nationality: The applicant must be a citizen of India to apply for the GKS scholarship and other countries have close ties with South Korea.

• Qualifications: Must have academic transcripts from 12th grade or equivalent education for an undergraduate degree, postgraduate applicants must have a bachelor's degree certificate and doctoral students hold a master's certificate from a recognised university.

• Age: Applicants must be under 25 years of age.

• Percentile: A score percentile of 80% or higher on a 100-point scale, or ranking in the top 20% of their class.

• GPA Requirements: A cumulative GPA of at least 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.

• Health: To study in Korea, international students must have good physical and mental health to get a GKS Scholarship.

Also Read: Korean Language Courses

Who are not eligible to apply for GKS Scholarship?

These applicants are not eligible to apply for the GKS scholarship program:

• A person who has graduated (or is expected to graduate) from a Korean high school (including international schools) or a Korean university
• A person who has previously received a scholarship from the Korean government

Types of GKS Scholarships for International Students

The GKS Scholarship, in general, falls under two tracks: the embassy track and the university track. Embassy track refers to when candidates submit applications to the Korean embassy in their home country. University track refers to direct submission of applications to Korean universities authorized by the National Institute for International Education.

Embassy Track GKS Scholarships for students

If you wish to apply through the Embassy Track, you must first download the application form from the official website of the Korean Embassy in New Delhi. You must fill up the form and submit it along with all the mandatory documents. If you application gets approved, you will be called for an interview conducted by the embassy. Once you clear the interview, your name will be recommended to the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) in South Korea.

University Track GKS Scholarship for students

University Track GKS scholarships are applied directly to the universities in Korea offering the scholarship to international students. You must be eligible to be able to apply for university admission and can apply for 1 university at a time. The universities will recommend your name to the NIIED, if you are shortlisted.

Difference between Embassy Track GKS Scholarships and University Track GKS Scholarships

The table below gives a clear distinction between the two types of GKS scholarships for international students:

GKS Scholarship Duration and Qualifications for Indian Students

Graduate Programs

• It is a must for the applicant be citizens of NIIED designated countries that are invited to take part in the GKS program. This program is not for Korean citizens.
• The age of the applicant must be below 40 on 1st September of the inviting year. Additionally, if you are an academic professor under 45 years of age, even you can apply.
• Must have a bachelor's or master's degree on 31st July of the inviting year (Korean applicants having these degrees in Korea cannot apply).
• It is a must to have a CGPA equal to or more than 80% in their previous study program.

Undergraduate Programs

1. It is a must for the applicant be citizens of NIIED designated countries that are invited to take part in the GKS program. This program is not for Korean citizens.
2. The age of the applicant must be below 25 on 1st March of the inviting year.
3. Must have graduated from high school as of December 31 of the inviting year (Korean applicants cannot apply).
4. It is a must to have a CGPA equal to or more than 80% in their previous study program.

Also Read: Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian students

GKS Scholarship Application Process

The application process for Global Korea Scholarship is mentioned below:

Step 1: Read all the requirements and plan to apply to university or embassy track.

Step 2: Prepare the documents mentioned above, according to your qualifications.

Step 3: Fill out the application and submit it. Commonly the applications are chosen based on good academic records.

Step 4: If selected you will receive mail and the results will be published on the NIIED website.

Step 5: Be ready for the interview process (if required).

Step 6: Once you are approved for the GKS Scholarship, start the visa process to study in South Korea.

Also Read: Top Engineering Universities in South Korea

How to Apply for GKS Scholarship 2025?

Qualified Indian students can apply for the scholarship through the ‘Embassy Track’ and must submit their application to the Korean Embassy in New Delhi.

Embassy of the Republic of Korea
9, Chandragupta Marg,
Chanakyapuri Extension,
New Delhi-110021
Phone: 011-4200-7000

Documents Required for GKS Scholarship

To obtain the GKS Scholarship, international students must gather the necessary documents to satisfy their dream of studying in South Korea without financial stress. The following documents required for the Global Korea Scholarship for Indian students are given below:

• Application form

• Personal statement

• Study plan

• Research proposal (only for doctoral students)

• One letter of recommendation

• Letter for invitation (issued by the doctoral university)

• GKS applicant agreement

• Personal medical insurance

• Proof of citizenship and family relationship document

• All academic transcripts

• Copy of your passport

• Employment certificate (if required)

• English proficiency certificate or official TOPIK score

• Proof of Korean citizenship renunciation document

• Proof of Korean War veteran’s descendant

GKS Scholarship Application Deadline for Indian Students

The application deadline for the GKS Scholarship for Indian students is the 2025 academic year given below:

GKS Scholarship 2025 Deadline

GKS Scholarship Selection Process

The selection process for GKS scholarships includes:

• A selection committee will carefully review all the submitted documents to evaluate and confirm your eligibility, including qualifications, grades, and nationality.

• You need to attend an oral interview to consider your skills.

• You will receive 10 points additionally if you have TOPIK level 3 or higher.

• Five points will be awarded if you are a direct descendant of Korean War veterans.

• You are especially evaluated if you are from a Korean background, have a high English language score, have a low financial background and more.

Also Read: Permanent Residency in South Korea

Are there any additional points for demonstrating language proficiency for GKS Scholarship?

Yes, applicants will receive additional points based on language proficiency in Korean and English.

• Korean: Candidates with valid TOPIK certificate based on their TOPIK level will get additional points.
• English: Candidates with valid English proficiency certificates based on their test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) will get additional points.

Available Fields of Study and Universities for GKS Scholarship 2025

Study Fields

All the academic study fields that are established by the GKS participating universities, excluding the evening, short-term, online, and distant learning programs are not applicable for this scholarship program.

Universities Offering GKS Scholarship to International Students