Rhodes Scholarships for India

Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards that enable the Indian students to pursue two to three years of their academic course in University of Oxford. It is one of the most prestigious international scholarships for Indian students. It endows phenomenal amount of learning and transformation as well as sharpening of the acumen.
These ‘achievement-based awards’ aspire to create ‘leader’s of the world’s future.’ The scholarship, instituted in 1902 under the will of Cecil Rhodes, includes the academic and tuition fees, an annual stipend of not less than £13,390, a travel and health insurance before the start of the program along with a return ticket, following the end of the course of study.
Every year, five candidates are selected on the basis of their intellect, commitment to service and excellence to join the other 78 Rhodes scholars selected from all over the world. The first Indian Rhodes Scholars took up residence in Oxford in 1947 and since then around 200 scholars have been selected for this program.

Eligibility Criteria
• The applicant must be a citizen of India, holding an Indian passport, or equivalent proof of citizenship.
• The candidate must have completed his Undergraduate studies in First Class Division
• The candidate must have undertaken formal study at an Indian educational institution for a minimum of 4 of the last 10 years, and have either
(i) Completed a school leaving exam (10th or 12th standard) at an Indian school
(ii)Have received, or be in the final year of, an undergraduate degree at a university in India.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to attend a preliminary, personal interview at regional centers, including Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi. Candidates selected from these preliminary interviews are called for a final in-person interview, on a date between October and December. Successful applicants will need to apply to the University of Oxford very soon after selection.
The Rhodes Trust and Oxford University require that selection for a Scholarship and for admission to the University will be without regard to marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, sex and gender, religion, sexual orientation, social background, disability, caste or other irrelevant distinction.

Information to be submitted with application
• Evidence of Indian citizenship, and of age
• Transcript/Evidence of academic record
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statement/Essay
• Photograph
• References: The name and contact details of six references for the submission of the application.

References

http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply
http://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/rhodes-scholarships-india.html
http://www.thehindu.com/features/education/apply-for-a-rhodes-scholarship/article6115008.ece
http://www.hindustantimes.com/chunk-ht-ui-hteducationsectionpage-horizonsalertsscholarships/apply-now-for-rhodes-scholarships/article1-1228284.aspx
http://files.www.rhodesscholarshiptrust.com/india/Recipients_of_Rhodes_Scholarships_for_India_2015_announced.pdf
http://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/rhodes-scholarships-india.html