SAARC Scholarship Scheme for B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Management)
The Embassy of India, Kathmandu offers the SAARC Scholarship Scheme for Nepalese students to pursue B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Management) in affiliated Indian Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs). The scholarship supports undergraduate studies in hospitality and hotel administration.
Eligibility Criteria
- 1Must be a Nepalese citizen
- 2Age should be 25 years or less as on July 1, 2026
- 3Must have passed Class XII (+2)
- 4Minimum 60% aggregate marks in Class XII
- 5Minimum 50% marks in English in Class XII
- 6Appearing candidates are NOT eligible
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Latest passport-size photographs
- Duly notarized final marksheet/transcript of Class XII
- Copy of passport or citizenship certificate
- English translation of citizenship/passport document certified by Notary Public
- Original bank voucher of NRs. 400 application fee
- All documents submitted in three sets
Application Steps
Download the application form from the Embassy of India, Kathmandu website
Fill or type the application form carefully
Prepare all required documents in three sets
Deposit NRs. 400 application fee in Nepal SBI Bank
Select at least four preferred Institutes from the official institute list
Submit the completed application via post, courier, or in person to the Education Wing, Embassy of India, Kathmandu
Ensure submission before May 21, 2026
❓ Have Questions About the Process?
Browse 11 answered questions about the SAARC HHM scholarship — eligibility, documents, selection and more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Submitting incomplete application forms
- ✕Submitting non-notarized documents
- ✕Using photocopies of notarized documents
- ✕Not providing English translation of citizenship/passport documents
- ✕Submitting application after the deadline
- ✕Selecting too few institute preferences
- ✕Providing incorrect contact details
- ✕Applying through agents or consultants
Understanding the SAARC Scholarship Scheme for B.Sc. (Hospitality & Hotel Management)
This scheme is narrow and career-focused. It offers Nepalese students a place on the B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Management at Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) in India. It runs under the SAARC banner (the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which Nepal and India both belong to). You apply to the Embassy of India in Kathmandu on paper rather than through an online portal, there is no entrance test, and selection rests on your academic record.
It suits students who have passed Class 12 with the required marks and are sure they want a hospitality career, whether in hotel operations, food production, front office or the wider tourism industry. The age limit of 25 leaves room for students who took a gap year, or who started another course and changed their mind. It is a poor fit for students who are still undecided, because the course is specialised and you cannot change institute after admission.
How selection works
With no exam, the marks you already have do most of the work. The Embassy reviews eligible applications on academic record and nominates candidates, and the institutes confirm admission. A nomination is not yet an admission, so keep your other options open until an institute confirms.
Your institute preferences are the main strategic decision. You must list at least four from the official list in the notice, and spreading them across different cities and across more and less sought-after institutes gives the Embassy more room to place you.
Is this scholarship right for you?
Hospitality training is hands-on and demanding. It is a good match if most of these describe you:
- You enjoy practical, people-facing work and are ready for kitchen training, uniforms, shift-style schedules and industry placements, which are a normal part of hospitality education.
- You are happy to live in any city on your preference list, since you cannot switch institutes later.
- Your spoken and written English is reasonable. The English mark requirement reflects how much hospitality work depends on communication.
- Your final Class 12 results are already out, because appearing candidates cannot apply.
- You have checked the official notice for any subject or stream conditions, since this page does not list a specific Class 12 stream.
Strategy and timeline
The most recent cycle on this site closed in late May, but always go by the current notice. A paper application needs extra time for notarisation, bank visits and delivery, so work in this order:
- As soon as the notice appears: download the form, read the institute list and choose at least four preferences.
- In the first week or two: have your Class 12 transcript notarised and your citizenship or passport translated into English and certified by a notary. Each of the three sets needs its own notarised copies, not photocopies of a single notarised copy.
- Before submitting: pay the fee at Nepal SBI Bank, attach the original voucher to your application, and fill in or type the form neatly.
- Submission: hand it in personally or send it by post or courier early enough to arrive before the deadline, and keep a full copy of everything you send.
- Afterwards: keep your phone and email active so you do not miss a message from the Embassy.
Ready to Apply?
Always apply through the official portal. Double-check all your documents before submission.