75 Indian students are heading to Europe for free master's degrees — here's how

For 75 Indian students, the dream of studying in Europe is about to become a reality. The European Union has selected them for the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree (EMJMD) scholarships for the 2026-28 cycle, allowing them to pursue postgraduate studies at universities across Europe.The selected students will study in 15 European countries, including France, Germany, Belgium and Italy. Their courses cover a range of subjects such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy and pharmaceutical sciences.The announcement was made alongside the launch of the EU-India Student Ambassadors' Network, a new initiative that brings together 40 student representatives from 20 universities across India.

The network aims to spread awareness about study and research opportunities in Europe and encourage greater youth participation in the growing India-EU partnership.According to the Delegation of the European Union to India, the network will function as a peer-led community aligned with the EU-India Strategic Agenda, which focuses on knowledge-sharing, youth engagement and innovation. The initiative is expected to strengthen academic and cultural ties between India and Europe through regular exchanges of ideas.

The EU said India continues to be the leading recipient of Erasmus Mundus scholarships since 2004 and remains among the top three countries globally for the current intake. Around 100,000 Indian students are currently pursuing higher education in Europe.The Erasmus+ programme, launched in 1987 as the European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students, is the European Union's flagship academic exchange programme."The scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis by annual calls for proposals and covers tuition fees, travel costs, and living allowances. Since 2004, nearly 100,000 students have benefited from the Erasmus Mundus programme, solidifying its role in fostering international academic collaboration and excellence," the delegation said.The newly formed ambassador network includes students from 14 states and Union territories.

Members come from institutions such as the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, the Indian Institute of Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University, the University of Delhi and the University of Mumbai.Students from the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Panjab University, the University of Rajasthan, Gauhati University and the University of Calicut are also part of the network.To mark the launch, the EU Delegation in New Delhi organised a pre-departure ceremony attended by scholarship recipients, alumni, education stakeholders and representatives of EU member states.EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin said, "Erasmus+ is more than a scholarship. It's a passport to a first-class experience. This programme opens doors for Indian students to cutting-edge European education, to the richness and diversity of cultures, and to networks that bring our two continents closer."He added, "These students won't just earn a degree; they will develop the skills and perspectives needed to facilitate the mobility of talent, which will power the India-Europe strategic partnership."Speaking about the ambassador network, Delphin said, "This initiative is about grounding our partnership at the people's level and building a human bridge of knowledge and mutual understanding. Besides guiding them on opportunities to study in Europe and strengthening university collaborations, these ambassadors will be agents of positive change. They will inspire young minds across India to discover, connect, and engage with the EU, shaping a vibrant, shared future for our two regions.

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