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🇮🇳 Preparing for the 2026 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): What Indian Students Should Do After TOPIK

GKS

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is one of the most competitive and prestigious fully funded scholarships in the world. Every year, hundreds of Indian students apply—with only a small number making it to the final selection.


If you’ve just completed your TOPIK exam, congratulations! You’ve cleared one of the major steps in your GKS preparation. With the application window expected in February 2026 and we’re currently in November, this is the best time for Indian applicants to organize their documents and strengthen their application.


This guide is designed specifically for Indian students, considering the Indian education system, apostille process, university response time, and document timelines.


Step 1: Begin Collecting Your Indian Academic Documents Early

Indian documentation takes time—especially from central universities, state boards, or older institutions. Start with:


  • Degree (mandatory)

  • Bachelor’s degree transcripts (mandatory)

  • Master’s transcripts (if applicable)

  • Bonafide or expected graduation certificate (if degree can be issued before 31st July 2026)

  • Passport (valid for at least 18–24 months)

If your university delays transcripts (which is common in India), apply for them immediately. Some universities take 2–8 weeks.


❗ Important for Indian GKS Aspirants

  • Korean universities usually require MEA-apostilled documents for GKS.

  • India’s MEA apostille process may take upto 7 days (done only in New Delhi).

  • If your university issues transcripts in a sealed envelope, open that envelope and get the apostille stamps on a scanned copy.


Step 2: Plan Your Notarization & MEA Apostille Timeline

Indian applicants often get stuck here.

You will need:

  • Notarization and MEA Apostille through an agent or online through the official portal of MEA.


Documents commonly requiring apostille:

  • Degree certificate

  • Transcripts

  • Birth certificate or voter id card (check for spelling discrepencies)

  • Voter id cards of both parents (check for spelling discrepencies)

Because February deadlines come fast, aim to finish apostille work by mid-January.


Step 3: Request Recommendation Letters Early (Indian Professors Are Busy!)

Indian professors often take time to respond—especially around semester exams, university festivals, or winter breaks.

Ask them in:

  • November or early December

Provide:

  • Your CV

  • Your academic achievements

  • A short note about your goals

  • A draft of what they can mention (makes their job easier)

This results in stronger, personalized letters.


Step 4: Work on Your Personal Statement & Study Plan (GKS Essays)

These essays are crucial in deciding your chances.

Use November–January to:

  • Draft

  • Edit

  • Review

  • Get feedback

Personal Statement (PS) should highlight:

  • Your Indian social/academic background

  • Challenges you overcame

  • Leadership experiences

  • Your motivation for studying in Korea

Study Plan (SP) should include:

  • Why Korea over Indian universities

  • Academic goals aligned with Korean research trends

  • Your long-term career plan (in India or globally)

  • How GKS will benefit you and your home country


Step 5: Choose Your Korean Universities & Programs Carefully

For Indian students, GPA conversion is crucial because:

  • India uses percentage

  • Korea uses GPA (4.0 or 100-scale)

Check:

  • GPA conversion charts

  • Program requirements

  • Whether your major aligns with the department

  • Language medium (English/Korean)

Some programs are extremely competitive for Indians, such as:

  • AI/Computer Science

  • International Relations

  • Business Administration

So choose realistically and strategically.


Step 6: Strengthen Your Profile in These 3 Months

Indian students can add strong value to their application by:

  • Completing short online courses (NPTEL, Coursera, SWAYAM)

  • Participating in internships (even virtual ones count)

  • Engaging in volunteering or community projects

  • Joining Korean language courses (even basic level helps!)

These build a stronger CV and show initiative.


Step 7: Stay Organized – Indian Applicants Deal With More Paperwork

Create labeled folders such as:

  • 01_Academics

  • 02_Recommendation Letters

  • 03_Apostille_Docs

  • 04_Essays (PS/SP)

  • 05_University Research

  • 06_Additional Certificates

Keep both:

  • Scanned PDFs

  • Hard copies

Consistency in formatting matters for Korean evaluators.


⭐ Final Words for Indian Applicants

The GKS journey is long, document-heavy, and highly competitive.But Indian applicants have a strong track record of success because of:

  • Academic discipline

  • Good English proficiency

  • Diverse extracurriculars

  • Strong motivation for global exposure

Use the November–January period wisely.The students who win GKS are not the ones who start in February—they’re the ones who start now.


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