Criteria for selection into the  MS program depends on a few main things (in order of importance):

• Undergraduate GPA (or %, CGPA, whatever is applicable to you) - This is the most important as it tells the selection committee a lot about your ability to perform well in a program, your knowledge, skills, etc.
• GRE/GMAT score - This is often used as a criteria for rejecting applicants. Applicants with a score lower than a minimum required score are rejected almost immediately. This is also applicable for your GPA. Some universities mention their minimum, some don’t. In general, being in the top 10–15 percentile gives you a good chance of not being rejected.
• Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement/Educational Goals - This is also of utmost importance, as the selection committee understands if you’re capable of doing well, previous experiences, your passions, etc. This is an applicant’s opportunity to stand out from the crowd, especially in competitive programs.
• Letters of recommendation - This is important to understand the applicant’s character. It can also be a good way to stand out if the reference has a good incident to share about you during their experience with you.
• Previous professional experience - Tells them more about your proficiency, if you can cope up with the projects and other academic exercises.
• Published text - Can be impressive, but it is not usually expected from undergrads entering into a masters program.
• Prior contact with professors - Often the selection committee consists of professors, hence contacting them (after thorough research about the individuals as well the program) can help if your email reaches them (emails from unknown senders often goes to junk, and is ultimately ignored till eternity). You can talk about many things apart from what is required in the application, including scholarships, other opportunities, etc.

These things make up your overall profile, and in order to get a scholarship, your profile should be very competitive. Universities provide a scholarship, or financial assistance in any form because a) They see immense potential in the applicant and sincerely want them to gain as much from the program, hence they make the applicant’s decision easier by providing financial aid, and b) The applicant’s merit makes them appealing to the university, and they want the applicant to join their university at any cost (yes, these universities can be greedy at times).

If you are interested to go to USA or abroad and want to seek more info, every consultant charges in the name of consultancy fee or appliation process. If you talk to a university representative directly that will be of great help in making a right choice. Presently Costica is giving this type of service, if a candidate want to study abroad, they will register & directly can have a conversation with University representative, he will guide you in making a better choice regarding university, location, placements & many more by understanding your educational & financial backgrounds. They won't charge any money from you. It's a FREE service.

If you want to consult him here is the link: http://www.costica.co/study-abroad/

Hi Nishanth! Since you are in the first year of your undergraduate degree, it is too early for you to consider doing an MS programme and knowing merely the procedure of application would not make any sense.

I would suggest you to first do your studies religiously and side by side you can reach out for internships (only if they don’t obstruct your studying schedule). By the end of second or third year you will be able to pinpoint your interests and whether or not you wish to do an MS.

MS in india would require you to give GATE i.e Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineers, which you will be eligible for in the 8th semester of your course, GATE is required by all top engineering government funded institutions like IITs.