Photo: High Commission of India, Dhaka

DHAKA, Aug 4, 2026 (BSS) - Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Dinesh Trivedi today laid emphasis on further strengthen people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and India.  

Trivedi made the call while addressing a send-off ceremony organised by the High Commission of India in Dhaka for recipients of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year, said a press release here. 

More than 120 scholarship recipients from Dhaka attended the programme ahead of their departure to India to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies in disciplines ranging from engineering and pharmacy to fine arts and music at leading Indian institutions.

Addressing the students, the high commissioner encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity by excelling academically, exploring India's diversity, building lifelong friendships and serving as bridges between the peoples of Bangladesh and India.

He reminded the scholars that only about six percent of applicants had secured ICCR scholarships this year and said India was looking forward to welcoming them with open arms.

Trivedi also thanked the parents of the students for nurturing talented young minds and placing their trust in India for higher education.

According to the High Commission, 541 students from across Bangladesh have been awarded ICCR scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year.

Of them, 500 received the Subarno Jayanti Scholarship to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in both STEM and non-STEM disciplines.

Another 38 students received the Lata Mangeshkar Dance and Music Scholarship to undertake studies in dance, music and cultural subjects, while three students were awarded the ICCR QUAD Scholarship for undergraduate STEM programmes.

The High Commission said more than 7,700 applications were received from across Bangladesh this year. The scholarship recipients were selected through proficiency tests and interviews conducted by the High Commission of India in Dhaka and its Assistant High Commissions in Bangladesh.

The ICCR Scholarship is one of the Government of India's flagship international education programmes, enabling outstanding Bangladeshi students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies at leading Indian institutions across a wide range of disciplines, including engineering, science, literature, humanities and fine arts.

The fully funded programme covers tuition and other university fees and provides recipients with a monthly stipend to meet living expenses while studying in India.

Scholars under the programme study at some of India's premier institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Delhi University, Visva-Bharati University, the University of Mumbai, and Anna University.