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 Programme. 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 Programme, 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, depend 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 Programme 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 Programme.

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. Also, usually a system is in place to support international students in their university life, from daily life consultations to mental health care.

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 Programme 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 Programme 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. Fee is calculated based on the income of previous year. So, for example, JDS fellow in Chiba with a spouse pays about 2,500 yen per month.