How Much Does It Cost to Study in India for International Students? (2026 Breakdown)
Authored by Arun Menon, Specialist in Education Finance | Most recent update: May 19, 2026
Image placeholder: Diverse group of international students on an Indian university campus
2026 Cost Overview
India ranks among the most cost-effective places to study globally. Yearly expenses for international students typically range from $3,000 to $8,000 USD. That’s approximately 25% the price of comparable Western programs (indiainatlanta.gov.in). How does that stack up against other well-known locations? Here's a brief overview:
| Destination | Typical Annual Tuition (USD) | Typical Annual Living (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| India | $360–$7,500 | $1,800–$4,200 (Numbeo) |
| UK | $13,000–$50,000 (UCAS) | $14,000–$18,000 (Numbeo) |
| Canada | $20,000–$30,000 (Statistics Canada) | $12,000–$15,000 (Numbeo) |
| Australia | $20,000–$45,000 (Study Australia) | $14,000–$18,000 (Numbeo) |
| Germany | $0–$3,500 (DAAD) | $11,000–$13,000 (Numbeo) |
We confirmed the cost amounts in this guide from January to March 2026. Our team communicated directly with the international student offices at IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IISc Bangalore, Delhi University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Symbiosis International, and Amity University. We also reviewed their fee structures for 2025–26 on every official admissions website. Charges for the hostel and mess were verified against fee circulars issued in November 2025 or afterwards. All currency exchanges rely on the monthly reference rates from the Reserve Bank of India, with the last update on 1 March 2026. Verify current rates prior to budgeting. The rupee has fluctuated between 3% and 5% in the last year.Registration with FRRO is compulsory. According to the Bureau of Immigration, international students who remain for more than 180 days are required to register with the local FRRO within 14 days of their arrival. Failing to meet this deadline will incur penalties beginning at USD 30. The penalty increases over time. Problems may also arise during visa renewal or exit. Students frequently overlook this since the cost appears minimal. Correcting late registrations consumes significantly more time than the penalty itself.
The headline number splits into two buckets:
- Fees, differ by school and course- Cost of living, differs by locationMonthly expenses generally amount to ₹15,000–₹30,000. Overall study expenses vary between $1,000–$10,000 based on the program and the institution (educations.com). The details are covered in the sections below. You'll find out the exact fees that particular universities impose. You’ll observe the expenses associated with each city. And you will discover which scholarships can reduce your expenses. The Study in India Scholarship pays for tuition for a maximum of five years (ICCR). If you are funding yourself, the student visa necessitates evidence of INR 1,000,000 in accessible funds (educations.com).
Tuition Fees at Indian Universities
International students in India spend between USD 360 and over USD 20,000 annually. The number displayed on the university website is seldom the ultimate figure. Exam fees, development costs, and refundable deposits are specified individually.
Fee Ranges by University Type
| University Type | Annual Tuition (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government/Central (DU, JNU) | Under $2,000 | SAARC quota seats can lower this further (Study in India) |
| IITs/NITs via DASA | $4,000–$6,000 | DASA scheme for foreign students (DASA) |
| Private (LPU, Symbiosis) | $3,000–$7,000 | Premier MBAs can top $20,000 |
| Deemed Universities | Widest range | Check the "international/NRI/PIO" fee document directly |
Image placeholder: Sample fee structure showing tuition breakdown
Annual Tuition: 2026–27 Estimates
All numbers are approximations. Verify the current amounts with the international office of each university prior to making a payment.
| University | Course | INR | USD | NPR | AED | KWD | LKR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JNU (Central) | M. A./Arts | ₹30,000–50,000 | ~$360–600 | ~₨47,880–80,600 | ~2,200 | ~185 | ~1,09,800–1,81,000 |
| Delhi University (Central) | B. A. (Hons) | ₹45,000–1,00,800 | ~$540–1,200 | ~₨71,820–1,61,200 | ~1,985–4,400 | ~167–370 | ~1,64,700–3,62,000 |
| Mumbai University (State) | B. E./B. Tech | ₹1,50,000 | ~$1,800 | ~₨2,39,400 | ~6,620 | ~555 | ~5,49,000 |
| Pune University (SPPU) (State) | B. E./B. Tech | ₹1,75,000–2,10,000 | ~$2,100–2,500 | ~₨2,79,300–3,36,000 | ~7,725–9,180 | ~648–770 | ~6,40,250–7,54,000 |
| Mumbai University (State) | MBA | ₹2,94,000 | ~$3,500 | ~₨4,70,400 | ~12,850 | ~1,075 | ~10,56,000 |
| LPU (Private) | Engineering | ₹4,20,000 | ~$5,000 | ~₨6,72,000 | ~18,360 | ~1,540 | ~15,08,000 |
| LPU (Private) | MBA | ₹3,50,000–6,30,000 | ~$4,200–7,500 | ~₨5,58,600–10,08,000 | ~15,450–27,540 | ~1,295–2,310 | ~12,81,000–22,62,000 |
Verify the final INR sum with the university before making the funds transfer (Study in India). MBBS tuition costs differ significantly. Government medical colleges under the central quota are significantly cheaper than private deemed medical universities. At private medical universities, yearly costs may exceed USD 10,000–15,000.
Hidden Costs to Budget Separately
- Hostel and dining charges: ₹40,000–₹2,50,000 annually (~USD 475–3,000) (Study in India)- Advance payment: Certain universities necessitate payment of an entire semester or year's fees prior to arrival (IDP)- FRRO late fee: USD 30 if you exceed the 14-day period (visament.com)SPPU has more than 14,000 international students from over 102 nations. It has the biggest international student population among all Indian universities. Its International Centre manages fee inquiries and admission assistance more efficiently than others. Students from SAARC nations should inquire about reserved seats at central universities initially. One confirmed quota spot can conserve more than relocating between cities.
Which University Has the Lowest Fees in India?
JNU, Delhi University, and various central universities have the lowest fees. Annual tuition costs INR 2–5 lakh annually for courses in engineering and medicine. It's 3–5 times less expensive than private institutions (LeapScholar). This is a trend we have observed frequently. A Nepali undergraduate seeks admission to BHU or Delhi University through the SAARC quota. They typically pay fees similar to local Indian students. That usually translates to ₹15,000–₹40,000 annually for arts and science courses. It's not the $3,000–$5,000 overseas fee. In a three-year bachelor's program, that results in a savings of approximately ₹8–10 lakh (Study in India). The snag? SAARC positions are restricted. You need to submit your application via the appropriate channel prior to the opening of the general admission period. Usually, it's the Indian consulate in your home nation. Nationals from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka in SAARC receive an additional leave. Central University of Himachal Pradesh has a distinct SAARC fee category priced as low as INR 2,000 for specific brackets.
Which University Is the Cheapest in India?
The lowest overall expense is seldom the institution with the highest affordability in tuition. It’s the one that combines low charges with an affordable city. The undergraduate fees at Delhi University vary from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000 annually (Select Your University). India's average tuition is approximately US$1,500/year. However, expenses in metropolitan areas increase ₹1,20,000–₹2,40,000/year additionally (Braingainmag). That’s sufficient to alter your overall expenditure by ₹1 lakh or above.
Which Is the Cheapest IIT?
All IITs have identical core tuition fees for international students as per the DASA scheme. Therefore, there isn't one definitive "most affordable IIT" based solely on tuition. The B. Tech tuition fee is USD $2,000 each semester. Include a one-time DASA registration charge of USD $300. Campus fees differ slightly. This covers hostel fees, facilities, laboratory costs, and technology charges. For 2026, plan for a 7–15% rise on existing numbers.
Real cost differences show up in living expenses:
- IIT Kharagpur, IIT Guwahati, IIT Roorkee, secondary cities; expenses are 20–30% less- IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, equal tuition, but living expenses for hostels and meals in Mumbai and Delhi are significantly higherAlways ask for the complete fee schedule from the international admissions office of each IIT. Released statistics seldom capture all taxes.
Cost of Living: City-by-City Breakdown
Monthly expenses in India vary from ₹12,000 to ₹55,000 based on the city and way of living ([Numbeo](https://www.numbeo.com/
Related Articles
- [Best Universities in India for International Students (2026 Rankings + Fees)](https://studyinindiahub.com/articles/best-universities-in-india-for-international-students-(2026-)
- [Is India Cheaper Than UK/Canada for Students? (Real Cost Comparison 2026)](https://studyinindiahub.com/articles/is-india-cheaper-than-uk/canada-for-students?-(real-cost-com)
- [Scholarships for International Students in India (2026 Complete List)](https://studyinindiahub.com/articles/scholarships-for-international-students-in-india-(2026-compl)
- [Study Loans for International Students Coming to India (2026)](https://studyinindiahub.com/articles/study-loans-for-international-students-coming-to-india-(2026)
- Engineering in India for International Students: Colleges, Fees & Careers (2026)
