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Study in Japan for Free: MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026

  • Writer: Shrikanth Gowda
    Shrikanth Gowda
  • May 4
  • 5 min read
Scholarship

Dreaming of pursuing your bachelor's degree in Japan? The Japanese Government's MEXT Scholarship offers Indian students a golden opportunity to study at prestigious Japanese universities with full financial support.


What is the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship?

The MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship is a fully-funded program provided by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It aims to foster international exchange and support outstanding students worldwide.


Qualifications and Conditions – MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship 2026

  • Nationality: To be eligible for the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship, applicants must hold the nationality of a country that has formal diplomatic relations with Japan. Individuals who hold Japanese nationality are not eligible. However, in the case of dual nationality—where one of the nationalities is Japanese—the applicant can still apply if they are residing outside Japan and formally renounce their Japanese nationality before their arrival. The application must be processed through the Japanese diplomatic mission in the country of their chosen nationality.

  • Age Requirement : Applicants must, in principle, have been born on or after April 2, 2001. Furthermore, they must be at least 18 years old at the time they are admitted to a university in Japan. Exceptions to the age requirement may only be considered under special national circumstances such as compulsory military service or disruptions caused by war. Personal factors like financial challenges, health issues, or family conditions are not considered valid reasons for exemption.

  • Academic Background: Candidates must have completed a 12-year education curriculum outside Japan, or be on track to complete it by March 2026 (or August 2026 for those entering in the autumn semester via direct placement). Alternatives to this include completing a school program equivalent to Japanese upper secondary school or passing a recognized academic qualification exam equivalent to 12 years of schooling. Applicants who are otherwise eligible for direct university admission in Japan at the time of application also qualify..

  • Japanese Language: Although not mandatory, applicants must demonstrate a willingness to learn Japanese and be open to pursuing academic studies in the language. They should also express a sincere interest in understanding and engaging with Japanese culture and society—before and after arriving in Japan. This openness to cultural exchange is a key component of the MEXT program’s goal of fostering international friendship..

  • Health : Applicants must be in both good physical and mental health. A health certificate in the prescribed format, signed by a licensed physician, must be submitted to prove that the applicant has no health-related issues that would hinder their ability to study and live in Japan.

  • Arrival in Japan : Successful candidates are expected to arrive in Japan between April 1 and April 7, 2026, unless they are directly placed into a fall semester, in which case arrival must fall within a specific window set by the host university. Missing this timeframe for personal reasons will disqualify the applicant from receiving travel funding and may result in withdrawal from the program. Only unavoidable circumstances, as deemed by MEXT or the university, may warrant an exception.

  • Visa Requirement: All scholarship recipients must newly obtain a "Student" visa from the Japanese embassy or consulate in their country of nationality before entering Japan. Even if the applicant already has a different visa type such as “Permanent Resident” or “Long-term Resident,” they must switch to a “Student” visa to qualify for the scholarship. If a student enters Japan without the correct visa, their scholarship payments will be suspended. Additionally, prior visa statuses may not be reinstated once the scholarship period ends.


Fields of Study

As a part of the MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship application, students must choose their preferred Field of Study, which falls under either Social Sciences and Humanities or Natural Sciences. When applying, candidates are required to indicate their first, second, and third choices of study areas, including the course and specific major.

For those interested in the Social Sciences and Humanities, there are two main course options:

  • Humanities A includes subjects like Law, Politics, Pedagogy, Sociology, Literature, History, Japanese Language, and other related disciplines. However, it excludes majors listed under Humanities B, such as Economics and Business Administration.

  • Humanities B focuses on Economics, Business Administration, and related fields like Accounting and Financial Economics.

Applicants should note that choosing "Others" under Humanities A might make it harder to find a university placement, depending on how specialized the major is. Also, it's important to remember that fields in the arts, such as music or fine arts, are not eligible under this scholarship program.


 Scholarship Benefits

  • Period of Scholarship : A grantee who studies at a preparatory educational institution prior to enrollment in a university: The scholarship period will last for five years from April 2026 to March 2031, including one-year preparatory education in the Japanese language and other subjects due to be provided upon arrival in Japan. A grantee who enrolls in a university through direct placement: The The scholarship period will last for four years. The scholarship period will start from the time of enrollment in the university which the university designates.

  • Number of scholarships: Up to 12 (Approximately 12 applicants who successfully pass the first screening will proceed to the world-wide final screening by MEXT.)

  • Monthly Allowance: 117,000 yen (approximately ₹68,800).

  • Education fees: Exempted.

  • Travel Expenses: Round-trip airfare provided.


Where to Send the Completed Forms and Contact Information

Applicants must send their completed MEXT scholarship application forms by post or courier to the appropriate Japanese diplomatic mission based on their state of residence. Email submissions are not accepted.

  • If you are residing in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, or Odisha, you should send your application to the Consulate General of Japan in Kolkata, located at 55 M.N. Sen Lane, Tollygunge, Kolkata – 700040. For queries, you can email them at: japanconsulate.culture@cc.mofa.go.jp. More details are available on their website: https://www.kolkata.in.emb-japan.go.jp.

  • Students living in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, or Telangana should contact the Consulate General of Japan in Chennai, situated at No. 12/1, Cenetoph Road, 1st Street, Teynampet, Chennai – 600018. Visit their website here: https://www.chennai.in.emb-japan.go.jp.

  • For applicants from Chhattisgarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, or Maharashtra, the appropriate contact is the Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, located at No.1, M.L. Dahanukar Marg, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai – 400026. Website: https://www.mumbai.in.emb-japan.go.jp.

  • If you live in Karnataka, you should send your application to the Consulate General of Japan in Bengaluru, at 1st Floor, Prestige Nebula, No. 8-14, Cubbon Road, Bengaluru – 560001. More information is available on their site: https://www.bengaluru.in.emb-japan.go.jp.

  • Applicants from all other states and union territories should send their documents to the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, located at 50-G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021. You can also call them at +91-11-46104865 for assistance.


Timeline

  • Application deadline: 26 May 2025

  • Notification of shortlisted candidates for written test/interview (on this page): first week of June 2025

  • Written examination: 28 June 2025

  • Interview: 3 July 2025 (online)

  • Notification of the results of the first screening: the end of July 2025


For Further information

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is based on the publicly available resources. Applicants are strongly advised to consult the official embassy website or contact the appropriate consulate directly for the most recent updates, accurate eligibility criteria, and application procedures.

 
 
 
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