This article covers educational, cultural and people-to-people links between India and South Sudan, and the Indian community living in South Sudan. It includes scholarships and online education, cultural events and exchanges, visits under ICCR programmes, and the size and activities of the Indian community. All details come from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026, and numbers reflect the position at that date.

ICCR scholarships

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, over 175 South Sudanese students have been granted scholarships by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in the period 2013-2024. The brief states that, given the high demand for and popularity of ICCR courses, the number of scholarship slots for South Sudan has been increased in stages:

  • from 20 to 30 from 2023-24
  • to 35 in 2025-26
  • to 40 in 2026-27

IAFS-III scholarships

Scholarships announced under the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) have also been used. As of the brief, a total of 43 slots have been availed of by South Sudan officials attending capacity building and post-graduation courses since 2017.

Online education and health training

An MoU was signed on 7 July 2022 between TCIL and the Government of South Sudan for online training in education (e Vidya Bharti or e-VB) and health (e-Arogya Bharti or e-AB). The brief places this within the Pan Africa e Network announced at IAFS-III in 2015. As of the brief, over 185 students have enrolled for different courses under eVBAB.

India Corner at the University of Juba

An India Corner was opened at the University of Juba on January 17, 2020. The brief states that it has a large collection of books on India and serves as a resource for the university's students.

Cultural exchanges

An ICCR-sponsored cultural troupe visited South Sudan in 2016 and 2017 and performed in Juba. Traditional dance groups from South Sudan participated in the International Arts and Crafts Mela in Surajkund in 2019, 2020, 2023, 2025 and 2026.

A statue of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at the Indian Embassy by South Sudan's Minister of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, Hon. Dr. Nadia Arop Dudi, on 8 August 2025, the anniversary of the Quit India Movement.

Yoga

The brief records that Ms. Adiang, a diplomat from the South Sudanese Foreign Office, completed a three-month yoga training course at Bengaluru under India's ITEC programme. She thereby became the first India trained yoga teacher in South Sudan.

Academic and distinguished visitors

Several South Sudanese academics and public figures have visited India under ICCR programmes. The brief records the following:

  • Prof John Akec, Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba, visited India in August 2018 under the Academic Visitors Programme (AVP).
  • Dr. Biong Kuol Deng, Dean of the School of Law at the University of Juba, visited in October 2023 under the same programme.
  • Hon'ble Atem Garang Deng Dekuek, Member of Parliament, visited India in January 2023 under the Distinguished Visitors Programme, sponsored by ICCR.
  • Prof. Dr. Abraham Matoc Dhal, Vice-Chancellor of Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, visited India from July 26 to August 7, 2025 under the AVP.

In July 2024, Mr. Makuar Dobuol Puot, Director General of the Ministry of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, visited India to attend the World Heritage Committee Meeting in Delhi.

The Indian community in South Sudan

As of the brief, around 1000 Indian nationals are based in South Sudan. A number of Indians also work in UN organisations, with Christian missionaries and in NGOs. The business activities of the community are described in the companion article on trade and investment.

The Indian Association of South Sudan (IASS) is based in Juba. Among other activities, it organises cultural functions and charitable activities, and holds periodic free medical and blood donation camps on important occasions such as India's national days.

Shri Sanjay Kumar Shivabhai Patel, Managing Director of the JIT Supermarket chain in Juba, was conferred the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award on 10 January 2023 at the PBD Convention at Indore, for business and community services.