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If you're an Indian Malaysian student currently studying at a local university, college, or polytechnic, the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur is offering financial assistance
Here's everything you need to know about the Indian Scholarship & Trust Fund (ISTF) for the 2025-26 academic year.
The Indian Scholarship and Trust Fund ( ISTF) Selection Committee for the 2024-25 academic year.
Image via @hci_kualalumpur (Instagram)What is ISTF?
It's a one-time financial assistance programme offered by the High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur, specifically for Malaysian students of Indian origin who are pursuing higher education in Malaysia.
Think of it as a helping hand for students who need a little extra support to complete their studies, no strings attached beyond academic requirements.
Who can apply?
Here are the criteria:
- You are a Malaysian student of Indian origin
- You are currently enrolled in a full-time Diploma or Bachelor's degree programme
- Your institution is a recognised university, college, polytechnic, or other educational institution in Malaysia
- No one else in your family has applied or is applying for ISTF in the same 2025-26 cycle (only one application per family is allowed)
- You have never received ISTF funding before (past recipients are not eligible to reapply)
If you tick all the boxes, you're good to go!
How do you apply?
The process is pretty straightforward:
- Download the application form from the official link here.
- Fill it out completely and gather all the required supporting documents.
- Post your completed application to:
High Commission of India
Education Wing (ISTF Scholarship)
Level 1, Wisma HRIH Lotus
442, Jalan Pahang, Setapak
53000 Kuala Lumpur
Your application must be received by 25 April 2026. Applications that arrive after the deadline will not be considered, so don't wait until the last minute!
What happens after you apply?
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. If you're deemed eligible after the interview, you'll receive the financial assistance.
No news doesn't mean bad news right away, but if you don't hear back, it likely means you didn't make the shortlist this round.
If you have any questions, you can reach them at:
📞 Phone: +60 3 4024 1010 (ext. 465)
📧 Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
If you or someone you know fits the bill, share this with them; the deadline is less than three weeks away!
How much is the scholarship worth?
While official information for the 2025-26 cycle does not specify a fixed amount, historical data show that the financial assistance typically ranges from RM3,000 to RM4,500 per student.
The exact amount awarded can vary each year depending on the total funds available and the number of students selected.
Here are some examples of past disbursals:
- 2021-2022: A total of RM307,500 was distributed among 83 students, averaging approximately RM3,700 per person.
- 2017-2018: RM300,000 was awarded to 66 students, which is about RM4,545 per person.
- Previous Years: Other records show disbursements of RM220,000 shared among 71 students, roughly RM3,100 each.
It is important to note that this is a one-time grant aimed at supporting meritorious Indian Malaysian students from economically weaker backgrounds. Since only shortlisted candidates are called for an interview, the final amount is determined by the ISTF Selection Committee during the evaluation process.
📢 Attention Malaysian Students of Indian Origin@hcikl is now accepting applications for the Indian Scholarship & Trust Fund (ISTF) 2025–26 🎓
— India in Malaysia (@hcikl) April 6, 2026
✅ Open to students pursuing full-time studies in Universities, Colleges, Polytechnics & other institutions in Malaysia.
💰 One-time…
