The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Scholarship Scheme, offering five outstanding students each year fully funded scholarships to pursue one-year master’s degrees at prestigious universities in the United Kingdom.
Running for the academic years 2025-26 to 2027-28, the scheme covers tuition, examination and research fees, living expenses, and return airfare. Funded jointly by the Uttar Pradesh government and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), it aims to provide young talent from Uttar Pradesh access to world-class education and broaden their global perspectives.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dedicated the scholarship to the legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, highlighting the government’s focus on empowering the state’s youth through higher education abroad.
Scholarship Details and Eligibility Criteria
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Scholarship is designed to select five meritorious students from Uttar Pradesh annually to study in the UK. The state government will bear approximately ₹23 lakh per scholar to cover academic and living expenditures, while the UK government via the FCDO will fund the remaining portion under a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments.
Applicants must be permanent residents of Uttar Pradesh and hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Furthermore, candidates are required to have a minimum of two years’ work experience after graduation and must demonstrate English language proficiency necessary for university admission in the UK.
The scheme emphasises merit-based selection, ensuring that the most deserving candidates benefit from this opportunity.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications for the scheme opened on August 5, 2025, and will remain open until October 7, 2025. After the application window closes, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a committee between March and April 2026. Final selections are expected to be announced by mid-June 2026, and the academic session will commence in September or October 2026.
This structured timeline allows adequate preparation for the scholars to transition smoothly into their studies in the UK. The programme is not only a tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision for empowering youth but also a strategic investment in the future of Uttar Pradesh by creating leaders equipped with global knowledge and skills.
A Strategic Partnership for Educational Advancement
The scholarship represents a significant bilateral collaboration, symbolising the cooperative efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government and the UK’s FCDO to promote educational exchange. By creating pathways for Indian students to study abroad, the scheme strengthens ties between the two countries while providing outstanding individuals the chance to gain international exposure.
This initiative fits into a larger agenda of Uttar Pradesh’s government to improve educational infrastructure and opportunities, fostering a culture of academic excellence and innovation. The collaborative funding mechanism also ensures sustainability and shared responsibility, making the programme robust and effective.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The launch of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Scholarship is a commendable milestone that encapsulates the ideals of peace, dialogue, and empathy through educational empowerment. Education is a profound tool for social transformation, and international scholarships like these foster a spirit of understanding and cooperation across borders.
The Logical Indian views such initiatives as essential to nurturing a new generation of leaders who can drive inclusive progress and coexistence. Investing in youth education is investing in the future of society, promoting harmony and positive change.
#WATCH | Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "…Recently, the UP cabinet has taken a decision to select 5 students every year for higher education scholarships to Britain, with the British government covering half the cost and the UP government the other half. This… pic.twitter.com/JNzJJXy2AY
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2025
