MEXT Scholarship Application Form 2027: Download, Requirements and Application Process

The MEXT Scholarship is the Japanese Government scholarship funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It covers university tuition, a monthly allowance and round-trip airfare for selected international students. For Indian applicants, the Embassy of Japan in India and its consulates run the first round of screening.

This guide shows which 2027 forms existed and where the official versions are. It explains how applying works, who was eligible, what the documents were, whether there is a fee, and whether IELTS is needed. It also explains how to prepare while you wait for the next official announcement. No dates for the next cycle have been announced on the official pages we checked.

Learn about the MEXT Scholarship 2027 for Indian Students and its eligibility criteria and application process.

What Is the MEXT Scholarship?

The Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship is a programme that brings international students to Japan to study. Study in Japan lists seven types:

• Research students (graduate level)
• Teacher training students
• Undergraduate students
• Japanese studies students
• College of Technology (KOSEN) students
• Specialized Training College students
• Young Leaders' Program (YLP) students

All types exempt tuition and provide round-trip airfare. Monthly allowances in the 2027 guidelines are ¥117,000 for Undergraduate and ¥143,000–¥145,000 for Research. Designated regions add ¥2,000–¥3,000. Amounts can change with Japan's budget each year.

There are two routes to apply: embassy recommendation and university recommendation. Details are in the "How to apply" section below. Official overview: Study in Japan – MEXT Scholarship.

MEXT Scholarship Application Form 2027: Latest Status for Indian Students

The Embassy of Japan in India lists these 2027 intake periods. They are historical dates, not open windows.

The embassy's scholarship listing also shows Japanese Studies, Young Leaders' Program and Teacher Training as closed for 2026. Check the embassy listing for the next windows. We have not confirmed any future dates.

Where future announcements appear: the Embassy of Japan in India scholarship page and the Study in Japan website. Study in Japan describes embassy recruitment as taking place in April–May of the year before arrival. That is a general pattern, not a confirmed date for the next cycle.

Understand the MEXT Scholarship 2027 Application Process for Indian students.

Where to Download the Official MEXT Scholarship Application Form

Use only official sources. Every link below is on the Embassy of Japan in India or Study in Japan website. Always use the form version for the cycle you are applying to.

Companion forms (Certificate of Health, sample recommendation letter, Field of Study and Research Plan, Placement Preference Form) are listed on each category's embassy page and on the Study in Japan pages for Undergraduate and Research.

Two rules from the official pages:

• The embassy marks Undergraduate, KOSEN and Specialized Training College documents "Do not use previous year forms."
• All applications go to the Japanese embassy or consulate, never directly to MEXT in Japan. Study in Japan states: "DO NOT send any application documents directly to MEXT in Japan."

How to Apply for the MEXT Scholarship

1. Identify the right category. Choose by your education level and age: Research (graduate), Undergraduate, KOSEN or Specialized Training College.
2. Read the latest official guidelines for that category. Study in Japan says that if anything differs, the guidelines take precedence.
3. Check eligibility and the required documents. Check age, nationality, academic background, and any extra conditions the Indian embassy adds.
4. Complete the correct application form for that cycle.
5. Submit through the specified route. For the 2027 cycle in India:
   • Research: preliminary form by email in Word format, within the embassy deadline. Shortlisted applicants then submitted full forms and documents.
   • Undergraduate, KOSEN and Specialized Training College: paper application by post, courier or in person to the embassy or consulate for your state.
6. Follow the screening instructions. First screening by the embassy consists of document screening, written examinations and an interview.
7. Monitor official announcements. Passing first screening does not guarantee selection. MEXT conducts a second screening, and the embassy notifies final results.

Explore the MEXT Scholarship 2027 Complete Guide for Indian students.

Embassy recommendation vs university recommendation

How to Fill Out the MEXT Scholarship Application Form

1. Check the form version. Use the form for the correct fiscal year and category. The embassy states not to use previous years' forms.
2. Read the guidelines first. They explain what each section expects.
3. Fill personal and academic details. Match your passport, transcripts and certificates exactly.
4. Follow category-specific instructions. Research applicants complete the Field of Study and Research Plan. Undergraduate, KOSEN and Specialized Training College forms ask for preferred fields and majors. KOSEN and Specialized Training College applicants choose from the lists in the guidelines.
5. Complete the language qualification fields only if you have certificates. The guidelines ask for Japanese and English certificate details only if you hold a completed certificate.
6. Attach a correct photograph. The guidelines require a clear photo taken within six months of submission, 4.5 × 3.5 cm, upper body, full face, no hat, with your name and nationality written on the back.
7. Verify every entry. Check that no information is missing before printing.
8. Number your documents. Write the document number in the upper right corner of the first page of each document, as the guidelines instruct.
9. Keep originals safe. The guidelines say submitted documents are not returned, and certified copies are acceptable for graduation certificates.

Submission format: Study in Japan says forms can be printed and hand-written, typed, or filled with software and then printed. This applies to the printed embassy forms. The India Research preliminary form was different and had to be a Word file. Always follow the category's embassy page.

Learn about Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship Types and Eligibility.

MEXT Scholarship Application Documents

There is no single universal list. The checklist below is based on the 2027 guidelines. For KOSEN and Specialized Training College, use the embassy's category-specific "List of Documents" on each embassy page.

Research Students (full application, for shortlisted applicants in India)

Undergraduate Students (paper application)

Documents must be in Japanese or English. If they are in another language, attach a translation.

MEXT Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility is category-specific and has two layers: the global guidelines and extra conditions from the Indian embassy.

Common conditions (guidelines):

• Nationality of a country with diplomatic relations with Japan. Japanese nationals are not eligible.
• A health certificate signed by a physician.
• Willingness to learn Japanese and an interest in Japan.
• Ability to arrive in Japan within the specified period.
• Applicants cannot already be a previous MEXT grantee in most cases, or be applying to another MEXT programme at the same time.

By category (2027 cycle, India):

Important: the marks conditions above come from the Embassy of Japan in India's 2027 pages. They are not global MEXT requirements and can differ by country and year. Always check the latest guidelines and embassy page.

Is There an Application Fee for the MEXT Scholarship?

No. The Embassy of Japan in India states: "No application fee is charged." It adds that organisations or individuals who charge application fees or deposits have no relation with the Japanese Government.

How to stay safe:

• Only apply through the Embassy of Japan, a consulate, or a Japanese university (for the university route).
• Treat any website, agent or social media account asking for a "MEXT form fee", "registration fee" or "seat deposit" as unofficial.
• Use the forms on the embassy and Study in Japan websites. Do not buy forms.
• Courier or postage charges you pay to a delivery company for sending a paper application are separate from an application fee.

The scholarship covers university tuition, entrance examination and matriculation fees. In the Research guidelines, an applicant who cannot proceed to a master's or doctoral course, or cannot be admitted to a university, must pay the entrance examination fee themselves.

For questions, contact the Japan Information Centre (JIC), Embassy of Japan, 50-G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021. Tel: 91-11-46104865. Avoid calling to confirm details already on the website.

Does the MEXT Scholarship Require IELTS?

The 2027 guidelines do not list IELTS as a mandatory requirement. The picture is more nuanced than "yes" or "no".

• Language certificates are optional. Undergraduate and Research guidelines say to submit a Japanese or English language certificate only if you already hold one. It must be issued within two years of your application.
• Written exams are required. Research applicants take written examinations in Japanese and English (the guidelines allow English to be exempted in some countries, so follow the embassy's notice). Undergraduate exams cover Japanese, English and mathematics, plus science subjects for natural sciences.
• Japanese helps. The guidelines expect willingness to learn Japanese. The Indian embassy gives preference to Undergraduate, KOSEN and Specialized Training College candidates with Japanese proficiency.
• Placement may add requirements. For direct placement into a Japanese university, the university decides whether your language skills are adequate and may ask for a test score (the guidelines mention JLPT for Japanese) or an interview.

Check the guidelines and the embassy page for your category rather than assuming.

MEXT Scholarship for Undergraduate Students After Class 12

The undergraduate route leads to a bachelor's degree in Japan. It is open to applicants who completed 12 years of schooling or an equivalent, or who will complete it by the specified date. Completing Class 12 alone does not make you eligible. For the 2027 cycle in India you also needed:

• To be born on or after 2 April 2002 (and 18 or older at university admission)
• At least 80% marks (Grade 12, or Grade 10 with a school's provisional document where results were pending)
• A health certificate and a recommendation letter from a class teacher or principal
• To pass the first screening (documents, written exams, interview)
• To be selected by MEXT in the second screening

Fields: Social Sciences and Humanities (A and B) and Natural Sciences (A and B). Natural Sciences-C (Medicine and Dentistry) was not offered in India. Art fields, including music, are not eligible majors.

Study path: In principle, selected students spend a one-year preparatory course in Japanese and other subjects, then enter a university. The guidelines describe a five-year scholarship period (April 2027 to March 2032) including that preparatory year. Direct placement, which skips the preparatory year, depends on Japanese proficiency or the university's rules, and the scholarship then lasts four years.

Application: paper only, by post, courier or in person. The embassy page lists which mission serves which states:

Jurisdictions may differ slightly by category, so confirm on the category's embassy page.

MEXT Scholarship Deadline and Future Application Cycle

Confirmed 2027-intake deadlines (historical, India):

• Research Students: 15 May 2026, 11:59 p.m. Late applications were automatically rejected.
• Undergraduate, KOSEN and Specialized Training College: 25 May 2026.

Future cycles: we have not found an official announcement of the next application dates, so we cannot publish any. When the Embassy of Japan in India publishes the next cycle, it will list the dates, forms and guidelines on its scholarship page. Check the page regularly, and use only the forms labelled for that cycle.

How to Prepare for the MEXT Scholarship

• Read the full guidelines for your category, not a summary. Everything from age limits to non-eligibility rules is in them.
• Collect documents early. Transcripts for all years, graduation or prospective graduation certificates, a recommendation letter and a medical certificate on the prescribed form take time.
• Practise with official past papers. Study in Japan publishes past qualifying-exam questions from 2014–2019 as samples on its examination page. Some papers are marked non-disclosure, and exam content changes over time, so use them for format practice, not prediction.
• Prepare a clear research or study plan. Research applicants should be able to explain their field, research theme and why they want to study in Japan.
• Prepare for the interview. The guidelines say the interview looks for a clear purpose for studying in Japan and knowledge of Japanese universities. Language ability to communicate with an advisor in Japan also matters.
• Build Japanese language skills. This is not mandatory, but the embassy gives preference to Japanese proficiency for undergraduate-level categories, and you will study in Japan.
• Ask the embassy, not an agent, when something in the guidelines is unclear.

Building Japanese skills while you wait? TLS – The Japanese Language School teaches Japanese at JLPT levels N5 to N1, with online Japanese classes and conversation classes. See all TLS courses or contact the team to find a level that fits your timeline.

How TLS – The Japanese Language School Can Help

TLS supports Japanese-language learning and exam preparation. We are not an official MEXT partner, and no language school can promise or guarantee scholarship selection. Selection is decided only by the embassy and MEXT.

What we can help with:

• Japanese language courses from N5 to N1, in person in Delhi or online
• JLPT preparation: see our JLPT guide for exam dates and levels
• Conversation (Kaiwa) classes to build speaking confidence
• Counselling on which course level suits your timeline: Admission

Visit Us: 2/81-82, 2nd Floor, Lalita Park, Gali No - 2, Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi - 110092 Call Us: 91 8700956038 Email: tls@teamlanguages.com Contact page: teamlanguages.com/contact-us

For the complete eligibility and timeline picture, you can also read our MEXT Scholarship 2027 complete guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the MEXT Scholarship application form?

It is the official form, issued each cycle by MEXT through the Japanese embassy or consulate, in which an applicant gives personal and academic details and the study plan. Each category has its own form, and forms change from year to year.

2. Is the MEXT Scholarship 2027 application open in India?

No. The Embassy of Japan in India lists the 2027 applications as closed for Research, Undergraduate, KOSEN and Specialized Training College students. Check the embassy page for future announcements.

3. Where can I download the official MEXT application form?

From the category pages of the Embassy of Japan in India and the Study in Japan website (see the form table above). Do not use forms from unofficial sites, and do not use an old year's form for a new cycle.

4. How do I apply for the MEXT Scholarship?

Choose your category, read the latest guidelines, check eligibility, complete the form for that cycle and submit it through the embassy or consulate as instructed. Then follow the screening and results announcements. The step-by-step section above covers the details.

5. How do I fill out the MEXT application form?

Use the correct fiscal-year form, follow the category's guidelines, match details to your certificates, attach a photo as specified, check for missing information and number your documents as instructed. See the form-filling section for the steps.

6. Is there an application fee for MEXT?

No. The Embassy of Japan in India states that no application fee is charged. Anyone asking for a fee or deposit is not connected to the Japanese Government.

7. Does MEXT require IELTS?

The 2027 guidelines do not list IELTS as mandatory. A Japanese or English language certificate is optional. Written exams in languages are part of screening, and universities may set their own language requirements for placement.

8. Can a student apply for MEXT after Class 12?

Yes, through the Undergraduate category (and KOSEN or Specialized Training College), but only if age, marks, documents and exam requirements are met. Class 12 alone is not enough.

9. What documents are required for MEXT?

They depend on the category: application form, transcripts, graduation or prospective graduation certificate, recommendation letter and a health certificate on the prescribed form. Research applicants add a research plan and placement form. See the category-wise checklist above.

10. What is the MEXT Scholarship deadline?

For the 2027 intake in India: 15 May 2026 for Research and 25 May 2026 for Undergraduate, KOSEN and Specialized Training College. Both have passed.

11. When will the next MEXT application cycle be announced?

We have no confirmed date. Watch the Embassy of Japan in India scholarship page and the Study in Japan site, which publish each cycle's dates and guidelines.

12. Where can I find official MEXT examination information?

Each category's embassy page lists the schedule and exam format, and the guidelines list exam subjects. Study in Japan hosts past exam papers (2014–2019 samples).