These scholarships were instituted by the Society over fifty years ago. Originally established as a purely social network of the Oxford and Cambridge alumni in Delhi, the Society transitioned into a more academic and educational support network in the 1960s, while continuing with its major role as an alumni body. Initially, the scholarships were a peripheral activity, but these soon became the most important aspect of the working of the society, which itself moved from a Delhi-base to an all-India role through the scholarships.

The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have been favoured destinations for Indian students for many years. However, in recent years, the increasing cost of a British university education and the greater competition for the few scholarships available has meant that fewer and fewer Indian students are able to take up places at Oxford and Cambridge. The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India has been offering scholarships every year, but these are dependent on the annual generosity of a few donors.

Institutions for which the scholarships are offered:

• University of Cambridge, UK
• University of Oxford, UK

(Some scholarships may be limited to one or the other university, or sometimes to specific colleges at the universities)

Generally available for any subject/course/field of study available at the two universities (some scholarships may be limited to specific courses or fields of study). The levels of study include the following:

• Research leading to the PhD degree
• One-year post-graduate courses (e.g. MPhil, LLM, BCL, Diploma, CASM or Part III Maths, MBA, PGCE etc.)
• Taught and research based Masters programmes of various durations (including M.Sc., engineering, medicine)
• Second Bachelors degree as an Affiliated Student/Senior Status
• Bachelors degree programme

The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India is offering scholarships for admission to the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in the academic year 2024-25, as below:

• Three OCSI scholarship(s):
  1. OCSI K.K. Luthra Memorial Scholarship, tenable at either the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford worth INR 4,00,000 (Rupees Four Lacs).
  2. OCSI Anita Banerji Memorial Scholarship, tenable at either the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford worth INR 4,00,000 (Rupees Four Lacs).
  3. OCSI Nirmal Luthra Memorial Scholarship, tenable at the University of Cambridge worth INR 4,00,000 (Rupees Four Lacs).

• The Emmanuel College Cambridge (India) Scholarship worth INR 2,00,000 (Rupees Two Lacs), tenable at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, from Nikhil Sawhney and Sumant Dhamija.
• One scholarship worth INR 1,00,000 (Rupees One Lac) tenable only at St. Hilda’s College, Oxford, from Ritika Dhamija.

Note: Each year we seek to raise funds and receive other grants that become available by June each year. Candidates will be eligible for any such additional grants as well.

• Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the candidate’s academic excellence, a good fit between the Scholar and the University, evidence of leadership potential and a commitment to improving the lives of others, particularly in India.
• It is important that a convincing argument can be made for reading for a particular degree at Cambridge or Oxford. Those invited to interview for the OCSI scholarships will be expected to be academically first rate, having been ranked by departments in Cambridge or Oxford as the most academically outstanding applicants in a given year.
• The OCSI scholarship programme is designed to catalyse support for worthwhile Indian candidates who otherwise would be unlikely to attend the two universities (Oxford/Cambridge). The Oxford and Cambridge Society of India seeks to encourage students through its scholarships, who have ideally not been exposed to the Oxbridge experience. As a result, those students who are already enrolled at Oxford/Cambridge, or those currently in study programmes abroad, would be at a disadvantage, other things being equal.
• While it is an eligibility requirement for the candidate to have graduated from a university in India, there is an added preference that the final years of schooling have been completed from India. Therefore, students who are currently studying abroad would be at a significant disadvantage for the OCSI scholarship programme.
• Candidates who have already received commitments for full outside support should not apply; those who receive such support after being selected are required to inform the Oxford and Cambridge Society of India, so that the scholarship award(s) may then be offered to the next-ranked candidate.
• Candidates must also be aware of the responsibilities that being awarded a prestigious, part-cost scholarship at one of the world’s leading universities (Cambridge or Oxford) brings. There is an expectation that OCSI Scholars will use the education they gain at Cambridge or Oxford to become leaders in their field and give back to society in ways that they are best placed to do so. There is an expectation that OCSI Scholars will return to India in a reasonable time frame after completing their course of study at Cambridge or Oxford.

We will evaluate candidates based on three broad dimensions, namely,

1. Soft skills include presentation skills, clarity of thought and presentation, demeanor, and confidence.
2. Hard skills include unique proposition in the field of study, impact on society in general, likely impact on India, consistent academic performance and Extra curricular activities.
3. Financial means – Candidates may, on request, be required to give details of resources available to them with supporting documents. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide details of means and financial resources available to them. While means is not the overriding criteria, it will be given due deference while awarding any scholarship.

Candidates who are admitted to Oxford and Cambridge for any course may apply, including for undergraduate programs. Individual scholarships may be limited to specific universities, colleges or courses which will be specified separately. However, while considering applications, preference will be given to candidates pursuing graduate and research-based programmes including post-doctoral research.

• Application forms for OCSI scholarships will be available on the website of the Society by March every year.
• All application forms must be submitted online by May 31, 2024.
• Candidates who are shortlisted for the interviews shall be informed by Mid-June 2024. The decision of the OCSI Scholarship Committee on the short-listing and selection of candidates shall be final.
• All short-listed candidates will be required to attend an interview with the OCSI scholarship committee tentatively  Mid-July 2024. Details of the interview shall be intimated to shortlisted candidates in due course.
• Award offers will normally be made to selected candidates by July 31, 2024.