Promotion Seminars/Webinars

Online promotion seminars provide prospective applicants with more detailed information on the JDS Program and how to prepare application documents, while online university sessions are conducted for applicants to meet professors from accepting universities to know about graduate school courses. Seminars will be held online through the on-demand video presentations and Teams meetings/webinars below.　

1. On-demand Video Presentations

• Overview of the JDS Programme
• How to prepare your application documents
• How to prepare a research plan

2. Schedules

WHO CAN APPLY? : The Eligibility

Applicants should be/have:

1. Indian nationals
2. between 22 years of age and 45 years of age as of 1st April of the year of arrival in Japan.
3. a Bachelor’s degree.
4. officials of All India Services and Group A Central Civil Services, Central Secretariat Service, Central Secretariat Stenographer Service listed below.
5. a good understanding of the objectives of the JDS Programme and a clear intention to contribute to the development of India and the strengthening of bilateral relations between India and Japan upon their return.
6. English proficiency sufficient for master’s study.
7. in good health, both mentally and physically.

List of Eligible Services and their Cadre Controlling Authorities

＊JDS Programme values diversity and inclusion. We encourage people of all genders, castes, tribes, classes, and with disabilities to apply.

Applicants should not be/have:

1. Relevance/relations with the military as per below.
   Individuals who fall under the categories (1) to (5) are subject to a procedure of consideration by the Government of Japan.
   1. those who currently belong to the Armed Forces or other organizations affiliated with the Armed Forces
   2. those who currently belong to the Ministry of Defense or other organizations affiliated with the Ministry
   3. those who currently belong to organizations, which its Establishment Acts specify that they come under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces or the Ministry of Defense in the event of an emergency, such as police, coast guard, etc.
   4. those who currently do not belong to the above organizations but possess military status (including those who are currently seconded to other organizations from the above organizations)
   5. those who currently belong to civilian institutions that have been identified as including military institutions within the organization

   Moreover, Individuals who fall under the categories below are not eligible to apply

   • those who have military status and are currently attached to the Armed Forces, e.g. main body of the Armed Forces, bodies under the Armed Forces
   • those who have military status but are not currently attached to the Armed Forces or Ministry of Defense and their affiliated institutions (including those on secondment to other institutions)
2. Previously acquired a master’s degree after studying abroad on a scholarship awarded by the Government of India or any other development partners.
3. Currently receiving, or planning to receive, another scholarship to acquire a master’s or doctoral degree through assistance from the Government of India or any other development partners.

*JDS Programme will request applicants to declare whether they would be applying for another scholarship at the time of application.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

WHAT & WHERE TO STUDY: Fields of Study and Graduate Schools

Sub-Programmes (Target Priority Areas): Enhancement of Administrative Capacity
Components (Development Issues): Public Policy/Economic and Industrial Policy/International Relations

The fields of study in the JDS Programme are called Sub-Programmes (target priority areas) and Components (development issues). By obtaining Master’s degrees in these fields, JDS fellows selected are expected to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for formulating and implementing social and economic development plans in India.

Application Documents

A. Application Guidelines

1. Application Guidelines（Download)

B. Application Forms

1. Confidential Statement of Reference (Prescribed Form 1) （Download)
2. Official Approval Letter (Prescribed Form 2) （Download)
3. Research Plan Format: There are different forms depending on the university you are applying to.
   Research Plan Format (Prescribed Form 3A) （Download)
   Research Plan Format (Prescribed Form 3B) （Download)
   Research Plan Format (Prescribed Form 3C) （Download)
   Research Plan Format (Prescribed Form 3D) （Download)
   Research Plan Format (Prescribed Form 3E) （Download)
   Educational Background & Work Experience Sheet（Download）

University-wise List of Required Documents & Specified Forms

How to Submit Application Documents

1. Applications for the JDS Programme must be submitted via the Admissions Office (TAO) online. The TAO link will be posted on this page when the application period opens. This year, the application period will be opened from Wednesday, 1st October at 12:00 noon to Friday, 21st November 2025 at 17:00.
    
   Please make sure you carefully read the TAO Online Application Manual.
    
   You can also find video tutorials below:

   1. How to Create a TAO Account
   2. How to access the input screen after logging in/re-logging in
   3. Detailed explanation of the input screen and important notes

    

2. Submit hard copies of the following documents that you digitally submitted to the JDS Office by 21st November 2025. You may send them by post/courier.
   • Prescribed Form 2
   • Notarized copy of your degree certificates (bachelor and above)
   • Notarized copy of your transcripts (bachelor’s and above)

Please note that late submission and/or incomplete application documents shall result in automatic disqualification. Application documents will NOT be returned for any reason.

Once an application has been accepted, it cannot be withdrawn. However, in exceptional circumstances, if the applicant wishes to withdraw the application, a written withdrawal request from the nominating organization must be submitted to the Operating Committee.

Research Plan

Before you begin writing your research plan, you are recommended to carefully review the ‘Fields of Study and Graduate Schools‘ section to make sure that the graduate school of your choice offers an appropriate curriculum and has faculty members relevant to your research plan. You can obtain more information from websites of individual graduate schools.

NOTE: Your research plan should be consistent with one of the aforementioned ‘Components’ (development issues), be an offered program by the graduate school of your application and correspond to the overall objectives of the organization to which you belong.

Please read on ‘How to Prepare a Research Plan’.

Mathematics Examination

Applicants to The University of Tokyo (Engineering) and Kobe University are required to take math exam. The math exam is approximately 60 minutes duration and consists of: arithmetic operations, solving fractions, equations, inequalities, matrixes, basic quadratic functions, basic operations of exponential and logarithmic functions, basic integral and differentiation, etc. Applicants to the University of Tokyo (Engineering) will be required to take an additional 30-minute, highly challenging mathematics exam. Exam scores will be used for reference purposes during initial selection by the accepting universities.

You can download the past exam papers from the links below:
JDS Past Math Papers

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Qualifications/Selections

Q. Do I need to take English and Math examinations?

A.English exam is required for all applicants. If you can submit a copy of the IELTS or TOEFL certificate issued within two years as of May 31, 2025, you do not need to take it again. Applicants to The University of Tokyo (Engineering) may submit Prescribed Form 4 Proof of English Language Skill in lieu of the score certificate filled by the controlling officer. Applicants to Waseda University may submit Prescribed Form 4 filled by the University of graduation/academic supervisor in lieu of a score certificate.
Math exam is required for the applicants for University of Tokyo (Urban Engineering) and Kobe University. The problems in the math exam are similar to those that are given in secondary and senior secondary schools. For further information, please refer to Mathematics Examination.

Q. I am Master’s Degree holder. Can I apply?

A. Yes, you can apply, unless you obtained your master’s degree funded by the Government of India or any other development partners.

Q. I have received a scholarship from another country. Can I still apply for the JDS?

A. No. If you have ever received (or planning to receive) another scholarship from the Government of India or any other development partners to study abroad, you are NOT eligible to apply. Likewise, if you have already had your master’s degree, sponsored by the Government of India or any other development partners, you are also NOT eligible to apply.

Q. I don’t speak Japanese. Can I apply to JDS?

A. Yes, you can. All courses are taught in English in the graduate schools selected for the JDS Programme.

Q. I only have a diploma. Am I eligible to apply?

A. No. You must possess at least a university degree to apply.

2.Applications

Q. I got transferred to a new organization in mid of March 2021. Can I write my Work Experience as below?

Department/Division	From/To (Month/Year)
(Previous workplace)	05/2017 – 03/2021
(Current workplace)	03/2021 –

A. No. Please do not overlap the month. You may write when your current work started from 04/2021 as below.

Department/Division	From/To (Month/Year)
(Previous workplace)	05/2017 – 03/2021
(Current workplace)	04/2021 –

Q. Who should attest degree certificate and academic transcripts?

A. Please submit a copy of the certificate or transcripts after being notarized by a notary public.

Q. I have a master’s degree. Can I submit the master’s degree certificate attached to the application documents for the Master’s Programme?

A.Yes, please.

Q. I have obtained two bachelor’s degrees and two master’s degrees in the past. I am considering applying for a master’s course. Which degree should I submit?

A. Please submit all of them.

Q. How do I prepare research plan?

A. Please carefully read the instructions written in the Application Guidelines as well as Guidance for Writing a Research Plan. Please watch video guidance How to prepare research plan in the On-demand video program. JDS Office staff members may also guide you how to prepare your research plan, upon your request.

Q. A book or article that I am referring for writing my research proposal has already been cited in another book/article. Which one should I mention for reference?

A. You need to refer to the original source.

Q. Do I need to submit a Prescribed Form2 filled by my CCA at the time of application?

A. Yes.

Q. Which types of passport (private or official) is required for the IELTS application?

A. Either passport is okay.

Q. How do I know if I passed the process of document screening or not? Can I call the JDS Project Office and ask?

A. All applicants who passed or did not pass the screening will be informed by JDS Office. Any inquiries for the result of the selection by applicants are NOT accepted.

Q. Can I have my application documents back if I did not pass the selection?

A. No. All application documents will not be returned.

Q. If I were selected for the JDS Scholarship Program, what allowance can I receive?

A. As to the allowance you will receive in Japan, please refer to Benefits.

Q. What type of accommodation will I have in Japan?

A. Students can move into university dormitories or public/private apartments, depending on the availability. In the case of JDS fellows of other countries, they tend to move to public/private apartments, because the university dormitories are often highly competitive to enter, also the term of staying is usually 6 months or one year only.
The rent of the public/private apartments varies from region to region. The rent in suburbs of Tokyo is usually more than ¥45,000 for a single room, and more than ¥55,000 for a family room.

Q. Can I work in Japan?

A. No, you are not allowed to have any job or work, except the teaching or research assistantship which is provided by your accepting University while paid internships are allowed. However, your spouse can work in Japan.

Q. Can I drive automobiles in Japan?

A. No. You are not permitted to drive cars or motorcycles.

Q. Can I stay in Japan after the completion of the JDS Scholarship program in order to continue my education or be employed in Japan?

A. No, you may not. You must return to India after obtaining a master’s degree by the JDS Scholarship Program.

Q. Can I come back to India or travel overseas for a short-term while I am staying in Japan?

A. Yes, you may come back to India with your own expense and responsibility that doesn’t impact your academic work. If you travel overseas for any other reason than thesis research purposes, your scholarship will be suspended from the day of departure from Japan until the day of return in case of private travel. The scholarship will be paid up to 60 days in the case of the thesis research.

Q. Please tell me about the university support system.

A. It depends on the university which you are enrolled in. Normally, teaching assistant/s and tutor/s will support your studies and academic life.

3. Family Related Issues

Q. Is it okay to bring my dependents and stay with them in Japan?

A. Yes, you can stay with your dependents (spouse/children) in Japan, but it is recommended to invite them after 3 months from your arrival in Japan and after the date of enrolment to your graduate school, unless your university prohibits you from doing so. All the procedures required you to do for your dependents’ stay in Japan shall be carried out by yourselves. The JDS Program will not cover the costs necessary for your families: e.g. travel insurance, air tickets, living costs, and VISA. Your family should be taken care of under your responsibility.

Q. Can my wife/husband work in Japan?

A. Yes, your spouse may have job or work during their stay, up to 28 hours per week.

Q. Can my wife/husband drive automobiles in Japan?

A. Yes, she/he can. Your spouse needs to obtain an international driver’s license. The validity of the international driver’s license is one year, and she/he needs to be careful about the expiration date of the license.

Q. Will the JDS Program or universities offer Japanese language course to my family members?

A. No, but we will introduce you an international exchange center in each university area which offers Japanese classes at a reasonable price.

Q. About how much will it cost for a nursery school?

A. It depends on local government, and childcare cost will be calculated according to your income. As an example, the childcare cost of one child for scholarship recipient is ¥10,000 in Hiroshima.

Q. How much will be the health insurance for family members?

A. National Health Insurance Fee varies according to the local government you reside in and the size of your family. The fee is calculated based on the income of previous year. So, for example, the first year JDS fellow in Chiba with a spouse and a child pays about 2,100 yen per month, whereas in the second year, about 13,000 yen per month.

JDS Project Office in India

If you have any questions, please contact the JDS Project Office in India.