FAQs
Q. Am I eligible to attend the ISS?
A. The ISS welcomes applications from anyone who has a genuine interest in learning more about India. The minimum eligibility criteria may be seen below:
(i) a completed high school certification; and
(ii) a secured admission into or enrolment in any higher education programme - undergraduate or postgraduate - or a technical/vocational programme.
Working professionals are also more than welcome to attend the ISS. The program is open to individuals of all nationalities and Indian nationals are also encouraged to apply.
High school students of Indian nationality aged 16 and above, residing in Delhi and therefore not requiring accommodation, are also eligible to apply for the program. Applicants under 18, however, must provide proof of parental consent for admission.
Q. How will the ISS facilitate the transfer of credits I earn?
A. The ISS will award credits to students who successfully complete the program. From our 2015 session onwards, students from the University of California and other institutions with which the ISS has formal arrangements/MOUs in place will have their credits earned from ISS automatically transferred back to their home institution.
However, notwithstanding these formal arrangements/MOUs, it will be the responsibility of students who wish to attend the ISS to ensure that their home university recognizes the credits awarded by the ISS. Also, students who wish to attend the ISS from universities and institutions that do not have any formalized relationship with the ISS will have to clear their modules with the relevant competent authority at their own end and are advised to do so before the start of the program.
On its part, the ISS will ensure the provision of all information that may help its students in this process.
Q. Do I require an Indian visa?
A. If you are a foreign national, you will require an Indian Visa to travel to India and attend the program. Please apply for the e-Visa (Tourist) online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ covering the duration of the program. The ISS will ensure the provision of relevant documents that will help in acquiring the e-Visa.
Q. How do I apply?
A. The ISS follows a two-stage online application process. For more information, please proceed to the Apply page.
Please note that due to the large volumes of applications that the ISS receives, it will be unable to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful applicants. Also, the ISS at its sole discretion reserves the right to accept or reject any or all the applications without assigning any reasons for the same.
Q. Are there scholarships available?
A. Yes, partial ones. For more information, please proceed to the Dates, Fees & Scholarships page.
Q. Do I need travel insurance?
A. Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory for persons traveling to India to attend the ISS regardless of their nationality. Proof of travel insurance must be shared with the ISS in order to complete the admission process. It is also mandatory for Indian nationals who are residing in India to provide a proof of medical insurance in order to complete their admission process.
Q. What are the program dates for the 2025 session?
A. For program dates of the 2025 session, visit the Dates, Fees & Scholarships page.
Q. When should I arrive?
A. Students can begin arriving on Saturday a day before the start of the session. Next day, on Sunday, there will be a short orientation program in the evening. Students arriving before Saturday must arrange for their own accommodation till that date.
Q. Can I only come for part of the program?
A. The first four weeks of the program is mandatory but the final two weeks are optional, subject to certain conditions such as arrangements between ISS and partner institutions such as the University of California.
Q. Can I join the program late or leave early?
A. An 85% attendance in classes must be registered in order to receive credits during the four-week academic session, subject to the evaluation of coursework. If you are able to achieve this minimum percentage of attendance and have successfully submitted all your coursework for assessment before the submission deadlines, the ISS may consider a slightly late arrival or early departure. However, the ISS must be informed of this in advance. For those participating in the two-week service learning program, full attendance is required throughout the period.
Q. Where will I be staying?
A. During the four-week academic session, those students who have opted for accommodation will be housed in shared ensuite rooms with persons of the same gender. The rooms will be air-conditioned and allocated as you arrive in New Delhi. A shuttle service will be provided to transport students between their place of accommodation and academic venue.
Q. What meals will I be served?
A. Those who choose to stay at ISS provided accommodations will be served breakfast on a daily basis and lunch on all weekdays during the first four weeks. Students will be responsible for arranging their own evening meals. All students will be provided lunch on tour days and special meals such as the Welcome Dinner, the Farewell and others deemed as such by the ISS. During the optional Service Learning component of the program, only breakfast will be provided. The ISS places great importance on healthy eating while trying its best to provide for all types of meal preferences. Students are encouraged to indicate whether they are vegetarian or non-vegetarian and if they have any food allergies or restrictions prior to their arrival in New Delhi.
Q. Can I arrange my own accommodation?
A. If desired, students can stay off-campus at their own cost during the four-week academic session. This will have to be arranged by themselves and any meals taken by them on-campus will have to be paid for separately.
Q. How will I be commuting?
A. Air-conditioned transportation will be arranged for ISS students for their travel as per the ISS program itinerary. For personal travel & conveyance beyond the program itinerary, students will have to arrange and cover the cost for their own transport. More information on this will be available in the Student Handbook for successful applicants.
Q. What will the weather in New Delhi be like?
A. The ISS is scheduled to be held towards the end of the summer and beginning of monsoons. It is likely to be hot and dry during the first couple of weeks and humid & rainy during the last few weeks. All arrangements have been made to make the students’ stay as comfortable as possible. The lecture rooms, accommodation and conveyance will all be air-conditioned.
Q. How safe is New Delhi?
A. Student safety is the highest priority for the ISS. We take all necessary measures to ensure that the residential premises and academic venues are safe and secure for both students and teachers. New Delhi is also a fairly secure city since it is India’s national capital and an ever increasing police force is present across the city.
For travel & conveyance which is part of the ISS program itinerary, the ISS has arranged for security and safe transportation for the exclusive use of its students. While the ISS encourages its students to explore the city at their own time and convenience, they should, however, take precautions while traveling beyond the scheduled ISS program itinerary. Further information on the ‘Dos & Don’ts’ will be available in the Student Handbook for successful applicants. ISS Program Officers will also be around to advise & assist students on matters pertaining to safety & security.
Q. What does a typical day at the ISS look like?
A. To get a better sense of the overall program structure, please have a look at the schedule from our last session which was held during the summer of 2019.
